4(a)(2) Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2021, by and among Gulfport Energy Corporation, UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors party thereto (including the form of note attached thereto)
Exhibit 4.2
Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation
Issuer
8.0% Senior Notes due 2026
INDENTURE
Dated as of May 17, 2021
UMB Bank, National Association
Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
ARTICLE 1 Definitions and Incorporation by Reference | 1 | |
Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 |
Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 40 |
Section 1.03 | Trust Indenture Act | 41 |
Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction | 41 |
ARTICLE 2 The Securities | 42 | |
Section 2.01 | Form and Dating | 42 |
Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication | 42 |
Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 43 |
Section 2.04 | Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust | 43 |
Section 2.05 | Securityholder Lists | 43 |
Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 44 |
Section 2.07 | Replacement Securities | 44 |
Section 2.08 | Outstanding Securities | 44 |
Section 2.09 | Temporary Securities | 44 |
Section 2.10 | Cancellation | 45 |
Section 2.11 | Defaulted Interest | 45 |
Section 2.12 | CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc. | 45 |
Section 2.13 | Issuance of Additional Securities | 45 |
ARTICLE 3 Redemption | 46 | |
Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee | 46 |
Section 3.02 | Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed | 46 |
Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 46 |
Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 47 |
Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 48 |
Section 3.06 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 48 |
Section 3.07 | Requirement to Redeem the 1145 Securities Pro Rata with the Securities | 48 |
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ARTICLE 4 Covenants | 48 | |
Section 4.01 | Payment of Securities | 48 |
Section 4.02 | SEC Reports | 48 |
Section 4.03 | Limitation on Indebtedness | 50 |
Section 4.04 | Limitation on Restricted Payments | 52 |
Section 4.05 | Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries | 56 |
Section 4.06 | Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock | 59 |
Section 4.07 | Limitation on Affiliate Transactions | 62 |
Section 4.08 | Limitation on Line of Business | 64 |
Section 4.09 | Change of Control | 64 |
Section 4.10 | Limitation on Liens | 66 |
Section 4.11 | Future Guarantors | 67 |
Section 4.12 | Compliance Certificate | 67 |
Section 4.13 | Further Instruments and Acts | 68 |
Section 4.14 | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 68 |
Section 4.15 | Termination of Covenants | 68 |
Section 4.16 | Rating of Notes | 68 |
ARTICLE 5 Successor Company | 68 | |
Section 5.01 | When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets | 68 |
ARTICLE 6 Defaults and Remedies | 71 | |
Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 71 |
Section 6.02 | Acceleration | 72 |
Section 6.03 | Other Remedies | 73 |
Section 6.04 | Waiver of Past Defaults | 73 |
Section 6.05 | Control by Majority | 74 |
Section 6.06 | Limitation on Suits | 74 |
Section 6.07 | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 74 |
Section 6.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 74 |
Section 6.09 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 75 |
Section 6.10 | Priorities | 75 |
Section 6.11 | Undertaking for Costs | 75 |
ARTICLE 7 Trustee | 76 | |
Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee | 76 |
Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee | 77 |
Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 77 |
Section 7.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 77 |
Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults | 78 |
Section 7.06 | [Reserved] | 78 |
Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 78 |
Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 78 |
Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger | 79 |
Section 7.10 | Eligibility | 79 |
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ARTICLE 8 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance | 79 | |
Section 8.01 | Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance | 79 |
Section 8.02 | Conditions to Defeasance | 80 |
Section 8.03 | Application of Trust Money | 81 |
Section 8.04 | Repayment to Company | 81 |
Section 8.05 | Indemnity for Government Obligations | 82 |
Section 8.06 | Reinstatement | 82 |
Section 8.07 | Requirement to Satisfy and Discharge or Defease 1145 Securities | 82 |
ARTICLE 9 Amendments | 82 | |
Section 9.01 | Without Consent of Holders | 82 |
Section 9.02 | With Consent of Holders | 83 |
Section 9.03 | [Reserved] | 84 |
Section 9.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers | 84 |
Section 9.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 85 |
Section 9.06 | Trustee To Sign Amendments | 85 |
ARTICLE 10 Applicable Guarantees | 85 | |
Section 10.01 | Guarantees | 85 |
Section 10.02 | Limitation on Liability | 87 |
Section 10.03 | Successors and Assigns | 87 |
Section 10.04 | No Waiver | 87 |
Section 10.05 | Modification | 87 |
Section 10.06 | Release of Subsidiary Guarantor | 88 |
Section 10.07 | Release of Parent Guarantor | 88 |
Section 10.08 | Contribution | 89 |
ARTICLE 11 Miscellaneous | 89 | |
Section 11.01 | [Reserved] | 89 |
Section 11.02 | Notices | 89 |
Section 11.03 | [Reserved] | 90 |
Section 11.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 90 |
Section 11.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 90 |
Section 11.06 | When Securities Disregarded | 91 |
Section 11.07 | Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | 91 |
Section 11.08 | Legal Holidays | 91 |
Section 11.09 | Governing Law | 91 |
Section 11.10 | No Recourse Against Others | 91 |
Section 11.11 | Successors | 91 |
Section 11.12 | Multiple Originals | 91 |
Section 11.13 | Table of Contents; Headings | 91 |
Section 11.14 | Force Majeure | 91 |
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INDENTURE dated as of May 17, 2021, among Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), those Subsidiary Guarantors executing the signature pages hereto and each other Subsidiary Guarantor that from time to time becomes a party to this Indenture (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), the Initial Parent Guarantor and each other Parent Guarantor that from time to time becomes a party to this Indenture (the “Parent Guarantors”) and UMB Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and any Additional Securities:
ARTICLE 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
Section 1.01 Definitions
“1145 Securities” means the Company’s 8.0% Senior Notes due 2026 governed by the 1145 Securities Indenture.
“1145 Securities Indenture” means that certain indenture, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, UMB Bank, National Association as trustee, relating to the Company’s 1145 Securities (where, for the avoidance of doubt, $550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1145 Securities were issued on the Issue Date).
“Additional Assets” means: (1) any property, plant or equipment used or useful in a Related Business; (2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (2) or (3) above is primarily engaged in a Related Business.
“Additional Securities” means Securities issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date and in compliance with Sections 2.13 and 4.03, it being understood that any Securities issued in exchange for or replacement of any Security issued on the Issue Date shall not be an Additional Security.
“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:
(1) the sum of:
(a) | discounted future net revenue from proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the fiscal year ending prior to the date of determination (or, if the date of determination is within 45 days after the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year and no reserve report as of the end of such fiscal year has at the time been prepared, as of the end of the second preceding fiscal year), which reserve report is prepared or audited by the Company’s petroleum engineers or independent petroleum engineers, as increased by, as of |
the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report) of:
(i) | estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such reserve report, and |
(ii) | estimated oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward determinations of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were not reflected in such reserve report; |
and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:
(iii) | estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such reserve report, and |
(iv) | reductions in the estimated oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report since the date of such reserve report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such reserve report; |
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provided, however, that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv), such increases and decreases shall be estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineer engaged by the Company for such purpose, in accordance with customary reserve engineering practices;
(b) | the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and natural gas properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and natural gas reserves are attributed, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements of the Company have been made available prior to the date of determination; |
(c) | the Net Working Capital as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements of the Company have been made available prior to the date of determination; and |
(d) | the greater of (i) the net book value as of a date no earlier than the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements of the Company have been made available prior to the date of determination and (ii) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date within the immediately preceding 12 months (provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed); minus |
(2) to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (1), the sum of:
(a) | minority interests; |
(b) | any net natural gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the effective date of the reserve report referred to in (1)(a) above; |
(c) | the discounted future net revenue before any state or federal income taxes, as of the effective date of such reserve report, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties in reserves, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties; |
(d) | the discounted future net revenue before any state or federal income taxes, as of the effective date of such reserve report, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and |
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(e) | the discounted future net revenue before any state or federal income taxes, as of the effective date of such reserve report, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding clause (1)(a) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; |
provided, that, with respect to each reference to reserve reports or prices in such reserve reports in the above clauses (1) and (2), the Company may, at its discretion, in lieu of commodity pricing of future net revenues based on SEC guidelines, use Modified ACNTA Prices after giving effect to commodity derivatives contracts in effect as of the date of determination, as determined in good faith by the Company, and such calculations may be based on then current estimates of costs determined in good faith by the Company in light of prevailing market conditions.
Whether the Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting or the full cost (or similar method) method of accounting, Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will be calculated as if the Company were using the full cost method of accounting. Calculations of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets shall be made subject to pro forma adjustment in a manner consistent with the pro forma adjustments in the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio”
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the First Call Date, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated on the third Business Day immediately preceding the redemption date, in each case, plus 0.50%.
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“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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. No Person shall be deemed an Affiliate of an oil and gas royalty trust solely by virtue of ownership of units of beneficial interest in such trust.
“Annualized EBITDA” means, for the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period ending on or before December 31, 2021, the Company’s actual EBITDA for such period multiplied by the factor determined for such Reference Period in accordance with the table below:
Reference Period | Factor | |
The one-quarter period ending on June 30, 2021 | 4 | |
The two-quarter period ending on September 30, 2021 | 2 | |
The three-quarter period ending on December 31, 2021 | 4/3 |
“Applicable Guarantee” means any Parent Guarantee or Subsidiary Guarantee.
“Applicable Guarantor” means any Parent Guarantor or Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Applicable Premium” means with respect to a Security at any redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.00% of the principal amount of such Security and (2) the excess of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Security on the First Call Date (such redemption price being described in paragraph 5(a) of the Securities, exclusive of any accrued interest) plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Security through the First Call Date (but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Adjusted Treasury Rate, over (B) the principal amount of such Security on such redemption date. The Company will calculate the Applicable Premium and deliver such calculation to the Trustee prior to the applicable redemption date. The Trustee will not be responsible for the calculation of the Applicable Premium.
“ASC” means the Financial Standards Accounting Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.
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“Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition or issuance (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or other dispositions or issuances) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each, a “disposition”), of:
(1) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary);
(2) all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(3) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall be deemed not to be Asset Dispositions for purposes of Section 4.06: (A) a disposition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (B) a disposition that constitutes (i) a Restricted Payment that is not prohibited by Section 4.04 or (ii) a Permitted Investment; (C) a disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01, or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control; (D) a disposition in any single transaction or series of related transactions of assets with a Fair Market Value of less than $35.0 million; (E) a disposition of cash or Temporary Cash Investments; (F) the creation of a Lien (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); (G) the trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Hydrocarbon and Mineral Property or any related assets or other assets commonly used in the Oil and Gas Business owned or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, or any Capital Stock of a Person all or substantially all of whose assets consist of one or more of such types of assets, for (i) assets of such types owned or held by another Person or (ii) the Capital Stock of another Person all or substantially all of whose assets consist of assets of such types and any cash or cash equivalents necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value; provided, however, that the Fair Market Value of the property or Capital Stock received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such trade or exchange (including any cash or cash equivalents) is substantially equal to the Fair Market Value of the property (including any cash or cash equivalents) so traded or exchanged; provided, further, that an amount equal to the amount of Net Available Cash from such disposition must be applied in accordance with the covenant described under Section 4.06; (H) any Production Payments and Reserve Sales created, issued or assumed in connection with the financing of the acquisition of oil and gas properties that are subject thereto (and within 90 days after such acquisition), if the owner or purchaser of such Production Payment and Reserve Sale has recourse solely to such oil and gas properties and to the proceeds thereof, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor of such Production Payment and Reserve Sale to operate and maintain the related oil and gas properties in a prudent manner or other customary standard, to deliver the associated production (if required) and to indemnify with respect to environmental, title and other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (I) a disposition of oil and gas properties in connection with tax credit transactions complying with Section 45K or any successor or analogous provisions of the Code; (J) a disposition of the Capital Stock of or any Investment in any Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than Grizzly Holdings); (K) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; (L) any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to an asset acquired after the Issue Date; provided, however, that such transaction occurs within 180 days after the date of the acquisition of such asset by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; (M) any disposition of defaulted receivables that arose in the ordinary course of business for collection; and (N) a disposition of property pursuant to condemnation or eminent domain (or deed in lieu thereof); provided, however, that an amount equal to the amount of Net Available Cash from such disposition must be applied in accordance with Section 4.06.
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For the avoidance of doubt: (i) any disposition of Hydrocarbons and Minerals; (ii) any abandonment, relinquishment, farm-in, farm-out, lease, sub-lease, pooling, unitization, deemed transfer of working interests under any joint operating agreement or other similar or other disposition of developed or undeveloped or both developed and underdeveloped Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties; (iii) the provision of services, equipment and other assets for the operation and development of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ oil and natural gas wells (notwithstanding that any such transaction may be recorded as an asset sale in accordance with full cost accounting guidelines); (iv) any assignment of a working, overriding royalty or net profits interest to an employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the generation of prospects or the exploration or development of oil and natural gas projects; (v) the licensing or abandonment of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business; (vi) the granting of leases or subleases that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vii) the disposition of equipment, assets, facilities or real property that is obsolete, worn out, no longer used, useful or economically practicable to maintain in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in each case in the ordinary course of business or to achieve cost savings or realize synergies or complementarities with Related Businesses; (viii) the liquidation of any assets received in settlement of claims owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (ix) the disposition of, or voluntary or involuntary termination of, a Hedging Obligation, in each such case in the ordinary course of business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or as otherwise customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (x) the disposition of receivables (A) in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings or (B) pursuant to supply chain or “reverse” factoring programs or similar arrangements established by a customer of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (xi) any foreclosure or any similar action with respect to the property or other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (xii) dispositions of Investments in joint ventures, to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding agreements, will not constitute an Asset Disposition.
“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.
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“Bankruptcy Cases” means the chapter 11 cases of the Company and certain of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries jointly administered as case number 20-35562 before the Bankruptcy Court.
“Bankruptcy Court” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined 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 terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For purposes of Section 4.10, a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed to be Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property being leased.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than any Permitted Holder is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that, for the purposes of this clause (1), a person shall be deemed (x) to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time and (y) to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a Person (the “specified person”) held by any other Person (the “parent entity”), if such person is the beneficial owner (as defined above in this clause (1)), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such parent entity; or
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(3) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person other than a transaction following which (A) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, one or more holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction and (B) in the case of a sale of assets transaction, each transferee is or becomes an obligor in respect of the Securities and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets;
but, notwithstanding the foregoing, Permitted Grizzly Dispositions shall not constitute or give rise to a Change of Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (A) a transaction in which the Company or a Parent Company becomes a Subsidiary of another Person (other than a Person that is an individual, such Person that is not an individual, the “New Parent”) shall not constitute a Change of Control under clause (3) of this definition if (a) the equityholders of the Company or such Parent Company immediately prior to such transaction “beneficially own” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of such New Parent immediately following the consummation of such transaction, substantially in proportion to their holdings of the equity of the Company or such Parent Company prior to such transaction or (b) immediately following the consummation of such transaction, no “person” (as such term is defined above), other than a Permitted Holder or the New Parent, “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined above), directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or the New Parent (it being understood that the New Parent may hold the equity of the Company through one or more intermediate holding companies); (B) any holding company whose only significant asset is equity interests of the Company or a Parent Company shall not itself be considered a “person” or “group” for purposes of this definition; (C) the transfer of assets between or among the Restricted Subsidiaries or the Company shall not itself constitute a Change of Control; (D) the term “Change of Control” shall not include a merger or consolidation of the Company (or a Parent Company) with, or the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (or any Parent Company) to, an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Company in another jurisdiction and/or for the sole purpose of forming or collapsing a holding company structure; and (E) a “person” or “group” shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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“Company” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities from the redemption date to the First Call Date, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to the First Call Date.
“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, if clause (ii) of the Adjusted Treasury Rate definition is applicable, the average of three, or such lesser number as is obtained by the Quotation Agent, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.
“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of
(1) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination to
(2) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:
(A) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, then EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness and the use of the proceeds thereof as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and such proceeds had been applied as of such date; provided, however, that the pro forma calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall not give effect to any Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination pursuant to Section 4.03(b);
(B) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, then EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned (if any) during such period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness; provided, however, that the pro forma calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall not give effect to the discharge on the date of determination of any Indebtedness to the extent such discharge results from the proceeds of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant Section 4.03(b);
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(C) if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, then EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which were the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period, and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale), and interest income in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments received in connection with such Asset Disposition and not otherwise used (or required to be used) either to make a subsequent Investment or to purchase, repay, redeem or repurchase Indebtedness, shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Asset Disposition had occurred on the first day of such period, with such cash or Temporary Cash Investments being deemed to have earned interest income at the same average rate as the Company’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ cash and Temporary Cash Investments actually earned interest over the period for which pro forma effect is being given;
(D) if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of material assets, then EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period; and
(E) if, since the beginning of such period, any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (C) or (D) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, then EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an event, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company.
If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof).
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The Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility the outstanding principal balance of which is required to be computed on a pro forma basis in accordance with the foregoing shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period; provided, however, that such average daily balance shall be reduced by the amount of any repayment of Indebtedness under such revolving credit facility during the applicable period, to the extent such repayment permanently reduced the commitments or amounts available to be borrowed under such facility.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication:
(1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations;
(2) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost;
(3) capitalized interest;
(4) non-cash interest expense;
(5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;
(6) net payments pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements;
(7) dividends accrued in respect of all Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company);
(8) interest incurred in connection with Investments in discontinued operations;
(9) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by (or secured by the assets of) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(10) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust;
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minus, to the extent included above, write-off of deferred financing costs and interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(1) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:
(A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend, interest payment or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend, interest payment or other distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (3) below); and
(B) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall not be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, except to the extent of the aggregate cash actually contributed to such Person by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period;
(2) solely for purposes of determining the aggregate amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a)(3), any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction (or any transaction accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of interests) for any period prior to the date of such acquisition;
(3) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:
(A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) below, the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend, interest payment or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend, interest payment or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and
(B) the net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;
(4) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss and all related fees and expenses, realized in connection with (A) the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Company, its consolidated Subsidiaries or any other Person that are not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and (B) the disposition of any securities of any Person or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
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(5) extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses and all related fees and expenses;
(6) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;
(7) any asset impairment, write-off or write-down on or related to oil and gas properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines;
(8) any after-tax gain or loss realized on the termination of any employee pension benefit plan;
(9) any adjustments of a deferred tax liability or asset pursuant to ASC 740 that result from changes in enacted tax laws or rates;
(10) costs incurred in connection with acquisitions that were eligible for capitalization treatment under GAAP but instead were expensed at the time of incurrence, provided, however, that any such costs shall instead reduce Consolidated Net Income for any period to the extent of any amortization in such period that would have occurred if they had been capitalized;
(11) income or losses attributable to discontinued operations (including operations disposed of during such period whether or not such operations were classified as discontinued according to GAAP);
(12) non-cash charges relating to grants of performance shares, stock options, stock awards, stock purchase agreements, management compensation plans or other equity-based awards for officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or a Subsidiary (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) to the extent that such non-cash charges are deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; provided, however, that if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary makes a cash payment in respect of a non-cash charge in any period, such cash payment shall (without duplication) be deducted from the Consolidated Net Income for such period;
(13) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of ASC 815);
(14) gains and losses due to fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values; and
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(15) gains and losses due to fluctuations in the value of Post-Closing Payments, in each case, for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income (A) any repurchases, repayments or redemptions of Investments, proceeds realized on the sale of Investments or return of capital to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such repurchases, repayments, redemptions, proceeds or returns increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such Section pursuant to Section 4.04(a)(3)(D) thereof, (B) any dividends or other distributions of assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from Unrestricted Subsidiaries as dividends or other distributions by such Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent used to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(12)(B), (C) any net after-tax gains and losses arising from the implementation of “fresh start” accounting (it being understood that, for the avoidance of doubt, the recognition of costs or expenses, amortization, depreciation or similar amounts from assets or liabilities adjusted in such “fresh start” accounting shall not be excluded), and (D) any gains, losses, charges or expenses arising from the Bankruptcy Cases.
“Credit Agreements” means one or more credit facilities, including the Existing Credit Agreement, other revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financings, debt securities or other forms of debt, convertible debt or exchangeable debt financings or letters of credit and including any promissory notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, any amendments, supplements, modifications or Refinancings thereof and any such credit facilities that replace in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or Refinance, restate, amend, supplement or modify any part of the loans, notes or commitments thereunder, including any such Refinanced, restated, amended, supplemented or modified facility that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.03) or adds the Company or any of the Applicable Guarantors as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders or creditor or group of creditors; provided further that an instrument (other than the Existing Credit Agreement) must be designated in writing to the Trustee to be a Credit Agreement.
“Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to currency values.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
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“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event:
(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Capital Stock of such Person which is not itself Disqualified Stock) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;
(2) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or
(3) is mandatorily redeemable or must be repurchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part;
in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date of the Stated Maturity of the Securities; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the date that is 91 days after the date of the Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if: (A) the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the terms applicable to the Securities in Sections 4.06 and 4.09 of this Indenture and (B) any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such terms applicable to the Securities, including the repurchase of any Securities tendered pursuant thereto.
The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price shall be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.
“Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
“EBITDA” for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:
(1) all income tax expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) Consolidated Interest Expense;
(3) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid item that was paid in cash in a prior period); and
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(4) all other non-cash charges of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period) less all non-cash items of income of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (other than accruals of revenue by the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business);
in each case for such period and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto and deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of:
(A) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments; and
(B) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion, including by reason of minority interests) that the net income or loss of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
For purposes of provisions under this Indenture requiring the calculation of EBITDA, for periods ending on or before December 31, 2021, EBITDA for such periods shall be the Annualized EBITDA.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Existing Credit Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, together with all Exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Exit Credit Agreement”) as in effect on the Issue Date, by and among the Company, as borrower, The Bank of Nova Scotia as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and the other agents and lenders party thereto, together with the related documents thereto (including the revolving notes thereunder and any guarantees and security documents), as amended from time to time.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by an Officer of the Company who has responsibility for such transaction, whose determination will be conclusive, or, if in excess of $50.0 million, the Board of Directors, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors.
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“First Call Date” means May 17, 2024.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia or any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in:
(1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;
(2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;
(3) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and
(4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this definition or the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation,” notwithstanding any rule under GAAP (or the application thereof) before or after the Issue Date, no Operating Lease shall be treated as a finance or capital lease (or Indebtedness or a Capital Lease Obligation) for purposes of calculations under this Indenture; provided that the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, elect to treat any Operating Lease as a finance or capital lease (or Indebtedness or a Capital Lease Obligation) for purposes of calculations under this Indenture, which election shall be irrevocable.
“Grizzly Holdings” means Grizzly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
“Grizzly Oil Sands ULC” means Grizzly Oil Sands ULC, a Canadian unlimited liability company, and its successors.
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“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person (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); or
(2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a correlative meaning.
“Guaranty Agreement” means a supplemental indenture, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, pursuant to which an Applicable Guarantor guarantees the Company’s obligations with respect to the 8.0% Senior Notes due 2026 on the terms provided for in this Indenture.
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties” means all properties, including any interest therein, which contain or are believed to contain Hydrocarbons and Minerals.
“Hydrocarbons and Minerals” means oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons, sand, minerals and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof, and other products commonly created, recovered or produced in association therewith or refined or processed therefrom.
“Initial Parent Guarantor” means Gulfport Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee or incur; provided, however, that any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. Solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.03:
(1) the accrual of interest or dividends, the amortization of original issue discount or debt discount or the accretion of principal, accreted value or liquidation preference;
(2) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Indebtedness of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Stock in the form of additional Capital Stock of the same class and with the same terms;
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(3) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Indebtedness arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or prepayment or the making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Indebtedness;
(4) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of ASC 815); and
(5) increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values;
in each case will be deemed not to be Incurrences of Indebtedness.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):
(1) the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium has become due and payable;
(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business);
(4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit);
(5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, the principal amount of such Preferred Stock to be determined in accordance with this Indenture (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends) (and the term “Incur Indebtedness” and similar terms include issuances of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock);
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(6) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, including by means of any Guarantee;
(7) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the liquidation value of such property and the amount of the obligation so secured;
(8) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person; and
(9) any guarantee by such Person of production or payment with respect to a Production Payment (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding all other obligations associated with such Production Payments, such as guarantees with respect to operation and maintenance of the related oil and gas properties in a prudent manner, delivery of the associated production (if required) and other such contractual obligations).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” will exclude (i) any post-closing payment to which the seller or any of its Affiliates may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing (“Post-Closing Payments”); provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter, (ii) accrued expenses and royalties arising in the ordinary course of business, (iii) obligations to satisfy customer prepayment arrangements arising in the ordinary course of business, (iv) asset retirement obligations, (v) obligations in respect of environmental reclamation or site rehabilitation, (vi) workers compensation obligations (including superannuation, pensions and retiree medical care) that are not overdue by more than 90 days, (vii) obligations under farm-in and farm-out agreements or operating agreements, (viii) obligations arising out of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business and (ix) customary indemnification obligations. In addition, except as expressly provided in clause (9) above, Production Payments and Reserve Sales shall not constitute “Indebtedness.”
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; provided, however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.
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“Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition for value of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its Fair Market Value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.
For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the definition of “Restricted Payment” and Section 4.04:
(1) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB– (or the equivalent) by Standard & Poor’s.
“Issue Date” means May 17, 2021.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Modified ACNTA Prices” means, as of any date of determination, the forward month prices for the most comparable Hydrocarbons and Minerals commodity applicable to such future production month for a five year period (or such shorter period if forward month prices are not quoted for a reasonably comparable Hydrocarbons and Minerals commodity for the full five year period), with such prices held constant thereafter based on the last quoted forward month price of such period, as such prices are (i) quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange (or its successor) as of the applicable calculation date and (ii) adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials; provided that with respect to estimated future production for which prices are defined, within the meaning of SEC guidelines, by contractual arrangements excluding escalations based upon future conditions, then such contract prices shall be applied to future production subject to such arrangements.
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“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:
(1) all accounting, engineering, investment banking, brokerage, legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions, disposal costs, remediation or repair payments, pension or benefit payments or costs, payments related to environmental matters, facilities closure costs, severance payments, restructuring costs and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, and any relocation expenses incurred or assumed in connection with such Asset Disposition;
(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from (or concurrently with) such Asset Disposition;
(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries or to holders of royalty or similar interests as a result of such Asset Disposition;
(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of the assets that were the subject of such Asset Disposition or as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with such assets and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and
(5) any portion of the purchase price from an Asset Disposition placed in escrow, whether as a reserve for adjustment of the purchase price, for satisfaction of indemnities in respect of such Asset Disposition or otherwise in connection with that Asset Disposition; provided, however, that upon the termination of that escrow, Net Available Cash will be increased by any portion of funds in the escrow that are released to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any or all of the Net Available Cash from an Asset Disposition made outside the United States of America is prohibited or delayed from being repatriated to the United States pursuant to applicable local law (or to the extent that the Board of Directors of the Company determines, in good faith, that repatriation of such Net Available Cash would have a material adverse tax consequence to the Company) despite reasonable effort by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to exclude or release those funds from such restrictions or to avoid such tax, the portion of such Net Available Cash so affected shall be deemed excluded from Net Available Cash for so long as such restrictions or material adverse tax consequences exist.
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“Net Cash Proceeds,” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or Indebtedness, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all references herein to “Net Cash Proceeds” shall be deemed to mean cash in an amount equal to the amount of Net Cash Proceeds, but not necessarily the actual cash received from the relevant issuance or sale. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have no obligation to segregate, trace or otherwise identify Net Cash Proceeds (other than the amount thereof), it being agreed that cash is fungible and that the Company’s obligations may be satisfied by the application of funds from other sources.
“Net Working Capital” of the Company means:
(1) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of business; minus
(2) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness (including the Securities), current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of business, current liabilities recorded with respect to stock-based compensation and current liabilities that constitute estimated abandonment costs pursuant to ASC 410;
in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Obligations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such Indebtedness.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer.
“Oil and Gas Business” means:
(1) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties;
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(2) the gathering, marketing, distribution, treating, processing, storage, refining, selling and transporting of any production from Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties and the marketing of Hydrocarbons and Minerals obtained therefrom and from unrelated Persons;
(3) any business or activity relating to or arising from exploration for or exploitation, development, production, treatment, processing, storage, refining, transportation, gathering or marketing of Hydrocarbons and Minerals;
(4) any business relating to oilfield services and any other business providing assets or services used or useful in connection with the activities described in clauses (1) through (3) of this definition, including the sale, leasing, ownership or operation of drilling rigs, fracturing units or other assets used or useful in any such business; and
(5) any activity necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the preceding clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.
“Oil and Gas Liens” means:
(1) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto or products or proceeds thereof to secure all or any part of the costs (other than Indebtedness) incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for “development” will include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or that relate to such properties or interests);
(2) Liens on Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties and Hydrocarbons and Minerals to secure obligations incurred or Guarantees of obligations incurred (in each case, other than Indebtedness) in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, Hydrocarbons and Minerals;
(3) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases and subleases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons and Minerals, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, working interests, joint interest billing arrangements, production sale contracts, operating agreements, marketing agreements, royalty agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, production sharing agreements, area of mutual interests agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, licenses and sublicenses, and other agreements that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that in all instances such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;
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(4) Liens securing Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided, however, that such Liens are limited to the property that is subject to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, and such Production Payments and Reserve Sales either:
(a) were in existence on the Issue Date,
(b) were created in connection with the acquisition of property after the Issue Date and such Lien was incurred in connection with the financing of, and within 180 days after, the acquisition of the property subject thereto, or
(c) constitute Asset Dispositions made in compliance with Section 4.06; and
(5) Liens on pipelines or pipelines facilities that arise by operation of law.
“Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract” means futures contract, swap, option, floor, cap, collar, forward sale, forward purchase or other agreement or arrangement relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon, crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other Hydrocarbons and Minerals, steam, electricity, by-products of the utilization of Hydrocarbons and Minerals or other assets commonly created, recovered, produced or used in the Oil and Gas Business or revenues or costs (including basis) associated with the Oil and Gas Business, and equities, bonds, or indices based on any of the foregoing and any other derivative agreement or arrangement based on any of the foregoing.
“Operating Lease” means any leases that would have been treated as operating leases under GAAP immediately prior to the adoption of ASC 842 (had such leases been in effect at such time).
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
“Parent Guarantee” means a Guarantee by a Parent Guarantor of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities.
“Parent Guarantor” means each parent company of the Company that executes this Indenture as a guarantor and each other parent company of the Company that thereafter Guarantees the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, in each case unless and until such parent company is released from its obligations under its Parent Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
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“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business, either generally or in the particular geographical location or industry segment in which such Investment is made, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, transporting or otherwise dealing with Hydrocarbons and Minerals or Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risk or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:
(1) ownership of Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems or ancillary real or personal property interests (including intellectual property), either directly or indirectly, including through entities the primary business of which is to own or operate any of the foregoing;
(2) the entry into and Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, joint ventures, processing agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, production sharing agreements, production sales and marketing agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of Hydrocarbons and Minerals, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements or other similar or customary agreements (including for limited liability companies), incentive compensation programs for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services, and other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case made or entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business; and
(3) direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs, fracturing units, vehicles, vessels and other equipment customarily used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business.
“Permitted Grizzly Disposition” means a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition or issuance of any or all (or substantially all) of the Capital Stock or assets of Grizzly Holdings.
“Permitted Holder” means (1) any Person that, on the Issue Date, after giving effect to the Plan of Reorganization, owns, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, 5.0% or more of the aggregate ordinary Voting Stock of the Company, (2) any Affiliate of the Persons described in clause (1) and (3) any group of which one or more Permitted Holders under clause (1) or (2) above is a member, so long as such Permitted Holders beneficially own (for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company beneficially owned (for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such group (but in each of clauses (1) through (3) above excluding any operating portfolio companies of the foregoing Persons). After any Change of Control Offer is made pursuant to Section 4.10, the Person who caused such Change of Control shall additionally be a Permitted Holder under clause (1) above.
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“Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:
(1) (i) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;
(2) another Person if, as a result of such Investment, such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person’s primary business is a Related Business;
(3) cash and Temporary Cash Investments;
(4) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if 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;
(5) payroll, travel and similar extensions of credit to cover matters that are expected at the time of such extensions of credit ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
(6) extensions of credit to employees, officers, directors, customers and suppliers made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(7) Capital Stock, obligations or securities received in settlement or resolution of obligations created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;
(8) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received for (i) an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to Section 4.06 or (ii) a disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Disposition;
(9) any Person where such Investment was acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
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(10) any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(11) any Person to the extent such Investments consist of Hedging Obligations not prohibited by Section 4.03;
(12) any extension, modification, exchange, conversion or renewal of an Investment or any Investment constituting proceeds of, or made with proceeds of, the disposition of an Investment, but in each case only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases thereof (other than as a result of the appreciation, accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such original Investment);
(13) Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses or concessions related to the Oil and Gas Business;
(14) Permitted Business Investments;
(15) Guarantees issued or made in accordance with Section 4.03 other than Guarantees of Indebtedness of an Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(16) obligations of one or more officers, directors, or employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such individual’s acquisition of shares of Capital Stock of the Company (and Refinancings of the principal thereof and accrued interest thereon) so long as no net cash is paid by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such individuals in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;
(17) Investments acquired after the Issue Date as a result of the acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of another Person, including by way of a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(18) advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the ordinary course of business;
(19) Grizzly Oil Sands ULC in the amounts required by, or Grizzly Holdings in amounts sufficient to permit Grizzly Holdings to make the Investments required by, the Grizzly Sponsor Contribution Agreement;
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(20) any Person to the extent consisting of Capital Stock of Grizzly Holdings or assets received from Grizzly Holdings;
(21) Investments received in connection with a Permitted Grizzly Disposition; and
(22) Persons to the extent that, at the time of each such Investment, the aggregate amount of such Investments made after the Issue Date, when taken together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (22), does not exceed the greater of $300.0 million and 15.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of such Investment.
For purposes of this definition, in the event that a proposed Investment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Investments described in clauses (1) through (22) above, the Company will be entitled to classify (but not reclassify) such Investment (or portion thereof) in one or more of such categories set forth above, but, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Investment made in a Person pursuant to clause (22) above may be reclassified as outstanding under clause (1) above (and no longer outstanding under clause (22) above) if such Person thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation or regulation, or good-faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, plugging and abandonment obligations, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety bonds, appeal bonds, performance or return of money bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(2) (a) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than in connection with Indebtedness) or imposed by law, such as carriers’, operators’, repairmens’, vendors’, suppliers’, workers’, landlords’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’ and construction Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for more than 60 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review or which do not constitute an Event of Default, (c) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than in connection with Indebtedness) relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off, rights of revocation, refund, chargeback or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts, instruments or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided, however, that such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (d) notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;
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(3) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(4) Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;
(5) survey exceptions, encumbrances, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate rights of way, facilities and equipment, Liens related to surface leases and surface operations, or zoning or other restrictions (including minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real property or Liens that were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(6) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant or equipment of such Person; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto, improvements, additions and accessions thereto and proceeds and distributions thereof), and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;
(7) prior to the Termination Date, Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted under the provisions described in Section 4.03(b)(1) and related obligations;
(8) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens Incurred to secure obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement);
(9) Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person (other than a Lien Incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Person becomes a Subsidiary); provided, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto and improvements, additions and accessions thereto and proceeds and distributions thereof);
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(10) Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person (other than a Lien Incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquired such property); provided, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto and improvements, additions and accessions thereto and proceeds and distributions thereof);
(11) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(12) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as such Hedging Obligations are not prohibited by Section 4.03;
(13) Oil and Gas Liens;
(14) Liens securing the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(15) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(16) Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents, or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness;
(17) Liens arising from the deposit of funds, cash equivalents or securities or other property in trust for the purpose of decreasing, discharging, redeeming or defeasing Indebtedness so long as such deposit of funds, cash equivalents or securities or other property and such decreasing, discharging, redeeming or defeasing of Indebtedness are not prohibited by Section 4.04;
(18) Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in clause (6), (8), (9), (10) or (14) of this definition; provided, however, that:
(A) such 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 have secured the original Lien (plus assets or property affixed or appurtenant thereto, improvements, additions and accessions thereto and proceeds and distributions thereof); and
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(B) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of such Indebtedness at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien and (y) an amount necessary to pay accrued but unpaid interest and any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such Refinancing;
(19) Liens Incurred to secure cash management services in the ordinary course of business;
(20) Liens on assets pursuant to merger agreements, stock or asset purchase agreements and similar agreements limiting the disposition of such assets pending the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby;
(21) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(22) Liens on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement;
(23) prior to the Termination Date, Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.03(b)(14) to the extent such Liens extend only to the assets that are the subject of the agreements described in such Section 4.03(b)(14);
(24) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease;
(25) Liens encumbering property or assets under construction arising from progress or partial payments by a customer of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to such property or assets;
(26) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(27) leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including real property and intellectual property rights) that do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(28) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or any interest acquired pursuant to a Permitted Business Investment;
(29) Liens (A) on advances of cash or Temporary Cash Investments in favor of the seller of any asset to be acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to be applied against the purchase price for such asset, (B) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition not prohibited by this Indenture and (C) on cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement not prohibited by this Indenture;
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(30) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases;
(31) prior to the Termination Date, other Liens to the extent that, at the time of each such incurrence, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed the greater of (a) 15.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence and (b) $300.0 million at any one time outstanding; and
(32) from and after the Termination Date, other Liens to the extent that, at the time of each such incurrence, the aggregate outstanding principal or face amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed the greater of (a) 15.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence, and (b) the aggregate principal or face amount of obligations outstanding on the Termination Date and at such time secured by Liens permitted under this definition of Permitted Liens clauses (7), (23) and (31).
In each case set forth above and in the definition of the term “Oil and Gas Liens,” notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets or property that may be subject to such Lien, a Permitted Lien or an Oil and Gas Lien on a specified asset or property or group or type of assets or property may include Liens on all improvements, repairs, additions, attachments and accessions thereto, assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto, construction thereon, parts, replacements and substitutions therefor, and all products and proceeds thereof, including dividends, distributions, interest and increases in respect thereof.
For the avoidance of doubt, where a Permitted Lien secures Indebtedness, Liens on the same assets subject to such Permitted Lien that secure Obligations related to any such Indebtedness shall also be permitted.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Plan of Reorganization” means the plan of reorganization of the Company and certain of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, as debtors and debtors-in-possession, filed in the Bankruptcy Cases (and any annexes, supplements, exhibits, term sheets, or other attachments thereto), as amended, modified or supplemented prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan), including by the Plan Supplement (as defined in the Plan), in accordance with the terms thereof and as permitted hereunder.
“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
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“Principal” or “principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus the premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.
“Production Payments” means, collectively, Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.
“Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer to any Person of a Dollar-Denominated Production Payment, Volumetric Production Payment, royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, master limited partnership interest or other interest in oil and natural gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties or reserves.
“Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) (1) consisting of the deferred purchase price of property, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds or similar Indebtedness, in each case where the maturity of such Indebtedness does not exceed the anticipated useful life of the asset being financed, and (2) Incurred to finance the purchase, lease or improvement by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of such property; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is Incurred within 360 days after such acquisition of such property.
“Qualifying Equity Offering” means the issuance after the Issue Date of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) to any Person or Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Company.
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and its successors or affiliates and assigns and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Company that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers.
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day immediately preceding such redemption date.
“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance or refund or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness (whether contemporaneously with the satisfaction of such Indebtedness or within 180 days of such satisfaction). “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.
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“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture, including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:
(1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the earlier of (a) the date 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Securities and (b) the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;
(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the lesser of (a) the Average Life of the Securities at such time plus 91 days and (b) the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;
(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus accrued interest thereon and fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and
(4) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (B) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Related Business” means any Oil and Gas Business, any business in which the Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Person in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary had an Investment was engaged on the Issue Date, and any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, incidental, synergistic, complementary or related thereto, or a reasonable extension, derivation, development, innovation or expansion of, any of the foregoing.
“Restricted Payment” with respect to any Person means:
(1) the declaration or payment, without duplication, of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), (B) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (C) to the holders of any class of its Capital Stock on a pro rata basis, dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary);
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(2) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any Person (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary) or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and other than transactions involving all holders of any class of Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis), including in connection with any merger or consolidation and including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);
(3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (A) Subordinated Obligations held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations purchased 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, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement); or
(4) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) and thereafter the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities” means the Securities issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Securities, treated as a single class.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Senior Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person:
(1) Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred; and
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(2) all other Obligations of such Person (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person whether or not post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of Indebtedness described in clause (1) above unless, in the case of clauses (1) and (2), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such Indebtedness or other Obligations are subordinate in right of payment to the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:
(A) any obligation of such Person to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;
(B) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;
(C) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;
(D) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person that is subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or
(E) that portion of any Indebtedness that at the time of Incurrence was Incurred in violation of this Indenture.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC; provided that in no event will any Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, accounts for less than 5.0% of the consolidated revenue of the Company, for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, be considered a Significant Subsidiary.
“Standard & Poor’s” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subordinated Obligation” means, with respect to a Person, any Indebtedness of such Person (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate in right of payment to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
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Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Indenture as a guarantor and each other Subsidiary of the Company that thereafter Guarantees the Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, in each case unless and until such Subsidiary is released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:
(1) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof;
(2) investments in demand and time deposit accounts, bankers’ acceptances, overnight bank deposits, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (registered pursuant Section 15E of the Exchange Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor;
(3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) above entered into with a bank or trust company meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) above;
(4) investments in commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-1” (or higher) according to Standard and Poor’s;
(5) investments in securities with maturities of nine months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and, at the time of acquisition, rated at least “A” by Standard & Poor’s or “A” by Moody’s (or equivalent ratings by any other nationally recognized rating agency);
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(6) investments in money market funds that invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (5) above; and
(7) investments in deposits available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial bank or similar institution that is organized under the laws of any country in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains an office or is engaged in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that (i) all such deposits have been made in such accounts in the ordinary course of business and (ii) such deposits do not at any one time exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the Issue Date.
“Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.
“Trustee” means UMB Bank, National Association until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below;
(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(3) Grizzly Holdings;
in each case unless and until such time as such Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary for the purposes of this Indenture. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total net assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has total net assets greater than $1,000, such designation would not be prohibited by Section 4.04 (the amount of any such Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment being calculated in the manner set forth in the definition of the term “Investment”).
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (A) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) and (B) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer’s option.
“Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) is owned by the Company or one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Term | Section | |
Affiliate Transaction | 4.07 | |
Asset Disposition Offer | 4.06(b) | |
Assuming Parent | 5.01 | |
Change of Control Offer | 4.09(b) | |
Change of Control Purchase Price | 4.09(b)(1) | |
Company | Preamble | |
Deemed Date | 4.03(f) | |
Guaranteed Obligations | 10.01 | |
Increased Amount | 4.10 | |
Initial Lien | 4.10 | |
Net Available Cash | 4.06(d) | |
Offer Amount | 4.06(c)(2) | |
Offer Period | 4.06(c)(2) | |
Paying Agent | 2.03 | |
Purchase Date | 4.06(c) | |
Registrar | 2.03 | |
Relevant Event | 1.04 | |
Section 5.01(a) Transaction | 5.01(a) | |
Successor Company | 5.01(1) | |
Termination Date | 4.15(a) | |
Trustee | Preamble |
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Section 1.03 Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act and states that such provision is effective with respect to this Indenture, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. Unless specifically referred to herein, the Trust Indenture Act shall not apply to this Indenture except to the extent required by law.
The interpretation of terms used in this Indenture that are not otherwise defined and are used or defined in the Trust Indenture Act shall not be influenced by the meanings ascribed to them by the Trust Indenture Act.
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) “including” means including without limitation;
(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(6) Indebtedness shall not be considered subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness solely by virtue of being unsecured, secured with a subset of the collateral securing such other Indebtedness or with different collateral, secured to a lesser extent or secured with lower priority, by virtue of structural subordination, by virtue of maturity date, order of payment or order of application of funds, or by virtue of not being guaranteed by all guarantors of such other Indebtedness, and any subordination in right of payment must be pursuant to a written agreement or instrument;
(7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (A) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (B) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater
(9) for the avoidance of doubt, the term “all or substantially all,” as used herein shall not be read to mean “any” of the assets of the Company or the Applicable Guarantors due to qualitative factors, including as a result of the Company or the relevant Applicable Guarantor being in the “zone of insolvency”;
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(10) all references to the date the Securities were originally issued shall refer to the Issue Date; and
(11) where a calculation must be made in connection with an acquisition, Asset Disposition or other disposition, Investment or other investment, dividend or other action or event (each, a “Relevant Event”) in order to determine compliance with the covenants and other provisions of this Indenture, such calculation may be made, at the election of the Company, either (i) at the time such Relevant Event is consummated or (ii) at the time the definitive agreements with respect to such Relevant Event are entered into.
ARTICLE 2
The Securities
Section 2.01 Form and Dating. The Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix, which is hereby incorporated in, and expressly made a part of, this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth in the Appendix and Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $0.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2026 and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of an issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 after the Issue Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03.
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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall cause to be maintained under this Indenture an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. There may be one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within The United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to each due date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
Section 2.05 Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five 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 Securityholders.
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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange. The Securities shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met. When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.
Section 2.07 Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an additional Obligation of the Company.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security, but, in certain circumstances, Section 11.06 provides that certain Securities shall be disregarded.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
Section 2.09 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.
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Section 2.10 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company at the written request of the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.11 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail (or, when the Securities are represented by Global Securities, cause the Depository to send electronically pursuant to its applicable procedures) to each Securityholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
Section 2.12 CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (in each case if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee in writing of any change in any “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs or “Common Code” numbers applicable to the Securities.
Section 2.13 Issuance of Additional Securities. After the Issue Date, the Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03, to issue Additional Securities under this Indenture, which Securities shall have identical terms as the Securities issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. All the Securities issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
With respect to any Additional Securities, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officer’s Certificate and, if the Company so elects, a supplemental indenture, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Securities to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture and the provision of Section 4.03 that the Company is relying on to issue such Additional Securities; and
(2) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Securities; provided, however, that a separate CUSIP number will be issued for any Additional Securities if the Securities and the Additional Securities are not fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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ARTICLE 3
Redemption
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities or this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption will occur.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section no later than three Business Days prior to the issuance of the redemption notice pursuant to Section 3.03 unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. Any such notice to the Trustee may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
Section 3.02 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other means as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $1 or any greater integral multiple of $1 thereof. Securities of $1 or less shall be redeemed in whole and not in part. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall cause a notice of redemption to be sent to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Any inadvertent defect in the notice of redemption, including an inadvertent failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Security redeemed in accordance with provisions of this Indenture.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(7) the “CUSIP” number, ISIN or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed;
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the “CUSIP” number, ISIN, or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities; and
(9) if the notice of redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent as provided in Section 3.04, a statement to that effect and a description of such condition or conditions.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense. In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is sent, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice; provided that notice of any redemption in connection with any Qualifying Equity Offering or other securities offering or any other financing or transaction, including in connection with a transaction (or a series of related transactions) that constitute a Change of Control, may, at the Company’s discretion, be given prior to the completion thereof and be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of the related Qualifying Equity Offering, securities offering, financing, transaction or Change of Control. If a redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the redemption date may be delayed up to 30 Business Days upon notice thereof by the Company to Holders; provided that if such conditions precedent are not satisfied within 30 Business Days of the proposed redemption date, such redemption shall not occur and the notice thereof shall be rescinded, with notice thereof given by the Company to Holders. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date), and such Securities shall be canceled by the Trustee.
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Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 3.06 Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
Section 3.07 Requirement to Redeem the 1145 Securities Pro Rata with the Securities. The Company shall not redeem any or all of the Securities without also redeeming any or all, respectively, of the 1145 Securities pro rata on substantially the same terms at substantially the same time.
ARTICLE 4
Covenants
Section 4.01 Payment of Securities. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02 SEC Reports. Whether or not the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with or furnish to the SEC, as applicable, subject to the next sentence, and provide the Trustee and Securityholders with, such annual and other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections (but without exhibits in the case of reports provided to Holders), such reports to be so filed and provided at the times specified for the filings of such reports under such Sections (after giving effect to all applicable extensions and cure periods) and containing all the information, audit reports and exhibits required for such reports.
If, at any time, the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company shall nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraph with the SEC within such time periods unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Company agrees that it will not take any action for the primary purpose of causing the SEC not to accept such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept such filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports specified in the preceding paragraph on its website within the time periods (after giving effect to all applicable extensions and cure periods) that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding paragraph, if the Company is not required to file reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (i.e., is a “voluntary filer”), the reports described in the preceding paragraph shall not be required to contain certain disclosures relating to the Company’s controls and procedures, corporate governance, code of ethics, director independence, market for the Company’s equity securities and executive compensation and such reports (A) will not be required to comply with Section 302 or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K or Regulation G (with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures contained therein), (B) will not be required to contain the separate financial information for Applicable Guarantors or Subsidiaries whose securities are pledged to secure the Notes contemplated by Rule 3-05, Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X, (C) will not be required to contain information required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, and (D) will not be required to include the schedules identified in Section 5-04 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
At any time that any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company; provided, however, that such reasonably detailed presentation shall not be required if the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets attributable to all Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the aggregate are less than 15.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
In addition, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of the Securities and to prospective investors, upon the requests of such Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Securities are not freely transferable under the Securities Act.
The Company shall be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities if it has filed such reports with the SEC using the EDGAR (or any successor) filing system and such reports are publicly available through such filing system.
In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company is or becomes a guarantor of the Securities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Parent Guarantor), the Company may satisfy its obligations under this covenant by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided, however, that (a) such financial statements are accompanied by consolidating financial information for such parent, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Subsidiaries of the Company that are not Subsidiary Guarantors in the manner prescribed by the SEC and (b) such parent is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the Capital Stock of the Company.
So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company shall also:
(1) as promptly as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC or posting the annual and quarterly reports required by the first paragraph of this Section 4.02, hold a conference call to discuss such reports and the results of operations for the relevant reporting period; and
(2) issue a press release to the appropriate nationally recognized wire services prior to the date of the conference call required to be held in accordance with clause (1) of this paragraph, announcing the time and date of such conference call and including all information necessary to access the call.
This covenant shall be deemed not to impose any duty on the Company under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related SEC rules that would not otherwise be applicable.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
For the avoidance of doubt, a Default or an Event of Default resulting from a failure to provide any report required by this Section 4.02 shall be cured upon the provision of such report prior to the acceleration of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.02.
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Section 4.03 Limitation on Indebtedness.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to Incur Indebtedness if, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.00 to 1.00.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to Incur any or all of the following Indebtedness:
(1) Indebtedness Incurred by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Credit Agreements; provided, however, that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (1) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (i) $1,500 million and (ii) 35.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such Incurrence;
(2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the obligor thereon, (B) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness is owing to a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Securities and (C) if a Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, unless such Indebtedness is owing to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee;
(3) the Securities (but excluding any Additional Securities) and all Subsidiary Guarantees thereof;
(4) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 4.03(b));
(5) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on or prior to the date on which it became a Restricted Subsidiary or secured by a Lien on an asset acquired by the Company or by a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such entity became a Restricted Subsidiary or such asset was so acquired); provided, however, that on the date such entity became a Restricted Subsidiary or such asset was so acquired and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Company would have been entitled to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a);
(6) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or pursuant to clause (3), (4) or (5) of this Section 4.03(b) or this clause (6); provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to clause (5), such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by a Restricted Subsidiary or, so long as such Restricted Subsidiary has no liability with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, by the Company or by a Subsidiary Guarantor;
(7) Hedging Obligations consisting of Interest Rate Agreements related to Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date or permitted to be Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this Indenture;
(8) Hedging Obligations consisting of Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts and Currency Agreements, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(9) obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations and other social security or similar legislation, old age pension or public liability obligations, statutory obligations, government contracts, trade contracts, regulatory obligations, leases, utility contracts and similar obligations, plugging and abandonment, appeal, performance, tender, bid and surety bonds, completion guarantees and other reimbursement obligations provided by, or for the account of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed), including any Guarantees, contingent reimbursement obligations or other contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees functioning as or supporting or issued to assure payment or performance of any of the foregoing bonds or obligations;
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(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;
(11) Indebtedness consisting of any Guarantee by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date or permitted by this Indenture to be incurred by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, however, that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to the Securities or a Subsidiary Guarantee, then the Guarantee thereof shall be subordinated to at least the same extent as the Indebtedness being Guaranteed;
(12) Purchase Money Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal), and any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount which, when added together with the amount of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (12) and then outstanding, does not exceed the greater of (i) $300.0 million and (ii) 15.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such Incurrence;
(13) Indebtedness in respect of the financing of insurance premiums with the providers of such insurance or their Affiliates in the ordinary course of business;
(14) Indebtedness arising from any agreement providing for indemnities, contribution, Guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks, earn-outs, deferred compensation, contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (in each case, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness) incurred or assumed by any Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets;
(15) in-kind obligations relating to oil and natural gas balancing obligations arising in the ordinary course of business; and
(16) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount which, when taken together with all other Indebtedness outstanding on the date of such Incurrence under this clause (16), does not exceed the greater of (i) $250.0 million and (ii) 15.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such Incurrence.
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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(b) if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Securities or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations.
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of described in clause 4.03(b) (or portions thereof), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), the Company may, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify, or reclassify, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies (as if such Indebtedness were incurred at the time of such reclassification) with this covenant.
(e) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the making of Investments or any other covenant, limitation or ratio in this Indenture, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the principal amount of Indebtedness, Investment or other amount denominated in a foreign currency shall be utilized, calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, such Investment was made, or such other amount was expended or incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur pursuant to this Indenture shall be deemed not to be exceeded and all other covenants, limitations and ratios in this Indenture be deemed not to be breached or exceeded, solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.
(f) In connection with the incurrence or issuance, as applicable, of (x) revolving loan Indebtedness under this covenant or (y) any commitment or other transaction relating to the incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock under this covenant and the granting of any Lien to secure such Indebtedness, the Company or applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such incurrence or issuance and the granting of any Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first incurrence of such revolving loan Indebtedness or commitment or intention to consummate such transaction (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual incurrence or issuance and granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to have been incurred or issued and granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable) and any other covenant, limitation or ratio in this Indenture (and all such calculations on and after the Deemed Date until the termination or funding of such commitment or until such transaction is consummated or abandoned or such election is rescinded shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect to the deemed incurrence or issuance, the granting of any Lien therefor and related transactions in connection therewith).
Section 4.04 Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:
(1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);
(2) the Company is not entitled to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a); or
(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (without duplication):
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from the Issue Date to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds or the Fair Market Value of property other than cash (including Capital Stock or other assets) received by the Company from the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) subsequent to the Issue Date (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company and other than an issuance or sale to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees) and 100% of any capital contribution received by the Company from its shareholders subsequent to the Issue Date; plus
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(C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property, distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); provided, however, that the foregoing amount shall not exceed the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the sale of such Indebtedness (excluding any Net Cash Proceeds from sales to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); plus
(D) an amount equal to the sum of (x) the net reduction subsequent to the Issue Date in the Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from repurchases, repayments, releases or redemptions of such Investments by such Person, proceeds realized on the sale of such Investment and proceeds representing the return of capital (excluding dividends and distributions), in each case received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (y) if such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time subsequent to the Issue Date such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated as, merged or consolidated into, or transfers or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to or is liquidated into, a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person, the amount of Investments (excluding Permitted Investments) previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) subsequent to the Issue Date by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person; plus
(E) $100.0 million.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(1) any Restricted Payment made out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance or sale of, or made by conversion into or exchange for, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees) or a substantially concurrent cash capital contribution received by the Company from one or more of its shareholders; provided, however, that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale or such cash capital contribution (to the extent so used for such Restricted Payment) shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts under Section 4.04(a)(3)(B);
(2) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent Incurrence of, Indebtedness of such Person which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(3) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by conversion into or exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees) of, Disqualified Stock of the Company which is permitted to be issued pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(4) dividends or distributions paid or consummations of redemptions within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend, distribution or redemption would have complied with this covenant; provided, however, that such dividend, distribution or redemption shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
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(5) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments (excluding amounts representing cancelation of Indebtedness or funded by “key man” life insurance policies) shall not exceed $30.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried forward to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $60.0 million in any calendar year; provided further, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(6) declarations and payments of dividends on Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued pursuant to Section 4.03; provided, however, that such dividends shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(7) repurchases, redemptions and other acquisitions and retirements of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise, exchange or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Capital Stock or other derivative securities) if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise or other price or cost thereof, and repurchases, redemptions and other acquisitions and retirements of Capital Stock made in lieu of withholding for, or to satisfy taxes in connection with any exercise, exchange or vesting of stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Capital Stock or other derivative securities; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(8) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with any transaction otherwise permitted by this Section 4.04; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.04 (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors); provided further, however, that such payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(9) in the event of a Change of Control or an Asset Disposition, and if no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and within 60 days after the completion of the offer to repurchase the Securities under Section 4.06 or 4.09 (including the purchase of all Securities tendered), the payment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Obligations or Disqualified Stock, plus any accrued and unpaid interest or dividends thereon; provided, however, that prior to such payment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has made a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Disposition Offer with respect to the Securities as a result of such Change of Control or Asset Disposition and has repurchased all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer or Asset Disposition Offer; provided further, however, that such payments, purchases, repurchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
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(10) payments of intercompany subordinated Indebtedness, the Incurrence of which was permitted under Section 4.03(b)(2); provided, however, that such payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(11) payments to dissenting stockholders of the Company not to exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate (A) pursuant to applicable law or (B) in connection with the settlement or other satisfaction of legal claims made pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets in connection with a transaction that is not prohibited by this Indenture; provided, however, that such payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(12) the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions of (A) shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries, or (B) assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from Unrestricted Subsidiaries as dividends or other distributions by such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; provided further, however, that this clause (12) shall not apply to dividends or distributions of Capital Stock of, Indebtedness owed by, or assets received from, Grizzly Holdings;
(13) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount which, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (13) at any one time outstanding, does not exceed $100.0 million; provided, however, that such amounts shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(14) Investments in joint ventures or other Persons in an aggregate amount which, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (14) at any one time outstanding, does not exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that such amounts shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; and
(15) in addition to the Restricted Payments permitted by the preceding clauses (1) through (14), other Restricted Payments so long as, (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) at the time of and after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment and the consummation of all other related transactions, the Total Net Leverage Ratio would not exceed 1.25:1.00; provided, however, that such amounts shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
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(c) If any Person in which an Investment is made, which Investment constitutes a Restricted Payment or a Permitted Investment under clause (22) of such definition when made, thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, all such Investments previously made in such Person shall no longer be counted as Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments under such clause for purposes of calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made or Permitted Investments made pursuant to such clause.
(d) For the avoidance of doubt, at the Company’s option, the amount of an Investment made may be calculated, from time to time, net of any return of or on capital thereon received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the amount of such return is not included in the amount described in Section 4.04(a)(3).
(e) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.04, in the event that a proposed Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in Sections 4.04(b)(1) through 4.04(b)(15) above or one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Investments” (or portions of any of the foregoing), or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 4.04(a), the Company will be entitled to classify or reclassify (based on circumstances existing at the time of such reclassification) such Restricted Payment or portion thereof in any manner that complies with this Section 4.04 and such Restricted Payment or portion thereof will be treated as having been made pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or portions thereof) or Section 4.04(a); provided that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may reclassify all or a portion of such Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in any manner that complies with this covenant (based on circumstances existing at the time of such reclassification), and following such reclassification such Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment shall be treated as having been made pursuant to only the clause or clauses (or portions thereof) to which such Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment has been reclassified.
Section 4.05 Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company, (b) make any loans or advances to the Company or (c) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company, except:
(1) with respect to clauses (a), (b) and (c),
(A) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date;
(B) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary or any property or assets thereof pursuant to an agreement of such Restricted Subsidiary (including the Capital Stock thereof) outstanding on the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than agreements relating to Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary);
(C) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in Section 4.05(1)(A) or (B) or this clause (C) or contained in any amendment to or renewal or replacement of an agreement referred to in Section 4.05(1)(A) or (B) or this clause (C);
(D) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;
(E) any encumbrance or restriction on the disposition or distribution of assets or property, including cash or other deposits, under agreements entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business of the types described in clause (2) of the definition of Permitted Business Investments;
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(F) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any agreement or instrument governing any Indebtedness for money borrowed or Hedging Obligation if either (i) the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of and during the continuance of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant contained in such agreement or instrument or (ii) the Company determines at the time any such Indebtedness or Hedging Obligation is Incurred that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Securities;
(G) customary supermajority voting provisions and other customary provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets, each contained in corporate charters, bylaws, stockholders’ agreements, limited liability company agreements, partnership agreements, joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(H) any restrictions on cash, cash equivalents or other deposits or net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(I) provisions contained in any license, permit or other accreditation with a regulatory authority or directly or indirectly required by any applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, requirements, guidelines, interpretations, directives and requests (whether or not having the force of law) from and of, and plans, memoranda and agreements with, any regulatory authority;
(J) provisions in agreements or instruments that prohibit the payment or making of dividends or other distributions other than on a pro rata basis;
(K) any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that does not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such Preferred Stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);
(L) customary subordination provisions governing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 4.03;
(M) Liens permitted to be incurred hereunder that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens; and
(N) encumbrances on property that exist at the time such property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that, for clauses (A)-(N) above, (i) any amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing, as applicable, of such encumbrances or restrictions (each, a “Replacement”) shall also be permitted; provided that the Board of Directors of the Company determines (at the time of such Replacement) in good faith that such Replacement either (A) is not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances or restrictions than those contained in the agreements or instruments subject to such Replacement or (B) will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make principal and interest payments on the Securities and (ii) the permissibility of any encumbrance or restriction under this Section 4.03 shall be determined solely on the date such encumbrance or restriction is initially Incurred; and
(2) with respect to clause (c) only,
(A) any encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary nonassignment provisions in Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements, agreements of the types described in the defined term “Permitted Business Investments” and leases governing leasehold interests and licenses to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or license or the property leased or licensed thereunder;
(B) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of any Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property subject to such agreement;
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(C) any encumbrance or restriction contained in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary and related documents to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements or mortgages;
(D) any encumbrance or restriction contained in any agreement or instrument assumed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or for which any of them becomes liable as in effect at the time of such transaction (except to the extent such agreement or instrument was entered into in connection with or in contemplation of such transaction), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any assets other than assets acquired in connection with such transaction and all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and products and proceeds thereof;
(E) encumbrances and restrictions contained in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of, or the ability of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to realize the value of, property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(F) any encumbrance or restriction contained in agreements governing or relating to reserves that are the subject of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;
(G) customary restrictions set forth in “lock up” agreements entered into in connection with securities offerings; and
(H) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to the Capital Stock of Grizzly Holdings.
In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets or property that may be subject to such encumbrance or restriction, an encumbrance or restriction on a specified asset or property or group or type of assets or property may also apply to all improvements, repairs, additions, attachments and accessions thereto, assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto, construction thereon, parts, replacements and substitutions therefor, and all products and proceeds thereof, including dividends, distributions, interest and increases in respect thereof.
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Section 4.06 Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a)The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary or, so long as it is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, Grizzly Holdings, to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless:
(1) the Company or such Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the Fair Market Value, including as to the value of all non-cash consideration (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, an Officer or an officer of such Subsidiary with responsibility for such transaction, such determination to be made as of the date of contractually agreeing to such Asset Disposition, which determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this provision) of the shares or assets subject to such Asset Disposition;
(2) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or such Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash equivalents, Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties, capital assets to be used by the Company or such Subsidiary (or any Restricted Subsidiary) in the Oil and Gas Business, Capital Stock of a Person primarily engaged in a Related Business and, in the case of an Asset Disposition by, or of the Capital Stock of, Grizzly Holdings, other securities or Indebtedness that are by their terms payable within two years of the date of such Asset Disposition in cash or other assets described in this clause (a)(2); and
(3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Subsidiary, as the case may be)
(A) to the extent the Company so elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay, repay, purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of such Subsidiary or of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within one year (or in the case of an Asset Disposition by, or of the Capital Stock of, Grizzly Holdings, two years) from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash;
(B) to the extent the Company so elects, to acquire Additional Assets or make capital expenditures in the Oil and Gas Business within one year (or in the case of an Asset Disposition by, or of the Capital Stock of, Grizzly Holdings, two years) from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; and
(C) to the extent of the balance of the amount of Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), or, if the Company so elects, at any earlier time, to make an offer to the holders of the Securities (and to holders of other Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor designated by the Company) to purchase Securities (and such other Senior Indebtedness) pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in this Indenture;
provided, however, that in connection with any prepayment, repayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A) or (C) above (other than Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(1)), the Company or such Subsidiary shall permanently retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid, purchased or otherwise retired.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company and such Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any amount of Net Available Cash in accordance with this Section 4.06 except to the extent that the aggregate amount of Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which is not applied in accordance with this Section 4.06 exceeds $50.0 million.
Pending application of any amount of Net Available Cash pursuant to this Section 4.06, such amount may be invested in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture, including to temporarily reduce revolving credit indebtedness.
For the purposes of Section 4.06(a)(2), the following are deemed to be cash or cash equivalents: (i) the release of, pursuant to a novation or other agreement, or the discharge of, the Company or such Subsidiary from all liability on Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition; (ii) with respect to any Asset Disposition of Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties, any agreement by the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof) to pay all or a portion of the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s share of any costs or expenses related to the exploration, development, completion or production of Hydrocarbon and Mineral Properties and activities related thereto; and (iii) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 90 days after the Asset Disposition, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.
The requirement of Section 4.06(a)(3)(B) shall be deemed to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the acquisitions or expenditures referred to therein is entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary (or any Restricted Subsidiary) within the time period specified in such clause and the amount of such Net Available Cash is subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within six months following such agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary effects an Asset Disposition and dividends or distributes to all of its stockholders (including the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) on a pro rata basis any Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary need only apply an amount equal to its pro rata share of such Net Available Cash in accordance with Section 4.06(a)(3) above.
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Securities (and other Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(3)(C), the Company shall make such offer to purchase Securities on or before the 366th day (or in the case of an Asset Disposition by, or of the Capital Stock of, Grizzly Holdings, the 731st day) after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash and will purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer (an “Asset Disposition Offer”) by the Company for the Securities (and such other Senior Indebtedness) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount (or, in the event such other Senior Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) without premium, plus accrued but unpaid interest, subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (or, in respect of such other Senior Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Senior Indebtedness) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in Section 4.06(c). If the aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the Net Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company will select the securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in round denominations, which in the case of the Securities will be denominations of $1 principal amount or any greater multiple of $1. The Company shall not be required to make an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to this Section 4.06 if the amount of Net Available Cash available therefor is less than $50.0 million (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether such an offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). Upon completion of such an offer to purchase, Net Available Cash shall be deemed to be reduced by the aggregate amount of such offer.
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(c) (1) Within 20 days after the Company becomes obligated to make an Asset Disposition Offer, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, and cause to be sent to each Holder, a written notice stating that the Holder may elect to have its Securities purchased by the Company either in whole or in part (subject to prorating as described in Section 4.06(b) in the event the Asset Disposition Offer is oversubscribed) in denominations of $1 of principal amount or any greater integral multiple of $1 thereof, at the applicable purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice (the “Purchase Date”) and shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to tender Securities pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer, together with the information contained in clause (3).
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Disposition Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided below, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate as to (A) the amount of the Offer (the “Offer Amount”), including information as to any other Senior Indebtedness included in the Asset Disposition Offer, (B) the allocation of the Net Available Cash from the Asset Dispositions pursuant to which such Asset Disposition Offer is being made and (C) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(a) and (b). Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Disposition Offer remains open (the “Offer Period”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Securities or portions thereof which have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Company. The Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) the aggregate purchase price by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, after which the Trustee shall, on the Purchase Date, mail or deliver payment (or cause the delivery of payment) to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the Purchase Date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives, not later than one Business Day prior to the Purchase Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Security purchased. Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.
(4) At the time the Company delivers Securities to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Securities are to be accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section. A Security shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or otherwise sends or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering Holder.
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(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 4.06. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall be deemed not to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.06 by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.06, all references herein to “Net Available Cash” shall be deemed to mean cash in an amount equal to the amount of Net Available Cash but not necessarily the actual cash received from the relevant Asset Disposition. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall have no obligation to segregate, trace or otherwise identify Net Available Cash (other than the amount thereof), it being agreed that cash is fungible and that the Company’s obligations under this Section may be satisfied by the application of funds from other sources.
Section 4.07 Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with (which term, for purposes of this Section 4.07, shall include “for the benefit of” where appropriate in the context) any Affiliate of the Company involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless:
(1) the terms of the Affiliate Transaction, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained at the time of the Affiliate Transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not an Affiliate;
(2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $50.0 million, the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set forth in writing and an officer of the Company disinterested with respect to such Affiliate Transaction shall have determined in good faith that the criteria set forth in Section 4.07(a)(1) are satisfied and shall have approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee stating that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Indenture; and
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(3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $75.0 million, the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set forth in writing and a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company disinterested with respect to such Affiliate Transaction shall have determined in good faith that the criteria set forth in clause (1) are satisfied and shall have approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction, all as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit:
(1) any Investment or other Restricted Payment (or any other payments excluded from such definitions or their component definitions), in each case not prohibited to be made pursuant to Section 4.04;
(2) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment and consulting arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans or other benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors;
(3) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees in the ordinary course of business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;
(4) reasonable fees, compensation and other benefits paid to, severance arrangements with, and indemnity and similar arrangements provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors or senior management;
(5) any transaction with the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or joint venture or other Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Restricted Subsidiary, joint venture or other Person; provided that no Affiliate of the Company, other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have a beneficial interest or otherwise participate in such Restricted Subsidiary, joint venture or other Person other than through such Affiliate’s ownership of the Company;
(6) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and the granting of customary registration rights in connection therewith;
(7) any transaction with Affiliates pursuant to or contemplated by any agreement that is described in a filing with the SEC or with the Bankruptcy Court or pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization or the Bankruptcy Cases, any amendments, renewals or extensions of any such agreement (so long as such amendments, renewals or extensions are not materially less favorable to the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the agreement so amended, renewed or extended), any amendments required by court order or other regulatory or legal process and all transactions pursuant thereto or contemplated thereby;
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(8) transactions with customers, clients, vendors, suppliers or other purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case, in their capacities as such and in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to joint venture agreements);
(9) any transaction on arm’s-length terms with any non-Affiliate that becomes an Affiliate as a result of such transaction;
(10) Permitted Grizzly Dispositions;
(11) transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that would not otherwise constitute an Affiliate Transaction except for the fact that a director or manager of such Person is also a director or manager of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary if such director or manager abstains from voting as a director or manager of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, on such transaction;
(12) pledges by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of (or any guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary limited in recourse solely to) Capital Stock in Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders or other creditors of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and
(13) agreements of the types described in the defined term “Permitted Business Investments,” contracts for exploring for, drilling, developing, producing, processing, gathering, transporting, marketing or storing Hydrocarbons and Minerals or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, and other operational contracts, that are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties, or if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar contract with a third party, then on terms no less favorable than those available from third parties on an arm’s length basis, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company, and all transactions pursuant to or contemplated by such agreements and contracts.
Section 4.08 Limitation on Line of Business. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Related Business, except to the extent that such business would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.09 Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
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(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall send a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”) stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price (the “Change of Control Purchase Price”) in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, in each case after giving effect to such Change of Control);
(3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent); and
(4) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with this Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities purchased.
(c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased will be required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives, not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Security purchased.
(d) On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the Company under this Section shall be delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay, or deposit with the Trustee and cause to be paid, the purchase price including accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto. The Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) the aggregate purchase price by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the purchase date, after which the Trustee shall mail or deliver payment (or cause the delivery of payment) to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if 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 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or if notice of redemption has been given pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Securities.
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(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.
(g) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall be deemed not to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.
(h) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company (or any third party making such Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above) purchases all of the Securities tendered by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Securities that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Purchase Price, including interest to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
Section 4.10 Limitation on Liens.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any nature whatsoever on any of its properties (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, securing any Indebtedness, other than Permitted Liens, without effectively providing that the Securities or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, shall be secured equally and ratably with (or, at the Company’s election, prior to) the Indebtedness so secured for so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.
Any such Lien thereby created securing the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) the release and discharge of each Initial Lien to which it relates, (ii) in the case of such Lien securing any such Subsidiary Guarantee, the termination and discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture or (iii) any sale, exchange or transfer to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company of the property or assets secured by such Initial Lien.
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(b) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.10, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to paragraph (a) above or to one category (or portion thereof) of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (32) of the definition of ‘‘Permitted Liens’’ but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of this Section 4.10 above or one or more of the categories (or portions thereof) of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (33) of the definition of ‘‘Permitted Liens,’’ the Company shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify, or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies (as if such Lien were incurred at the time of such reclassification) with this Section 4.10.
With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The ‘‘Increased Amount’’ of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common equity of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates or currency values or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in the definition of “Indebtedness.”
Section 4.11 Future Guarantors. The Company shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Company where such parent is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the Capital Stock of the Company (other than, in each case, a Foreign Subsidiary) that enters into a Guarantee of any Credit Facility to, within 30 days thereafter, execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary or parent company will Guarantee payment of the Securities on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in Article 10 of this Indenture and applicable to the other Applicable Guarantors.
Section 4.12 Compliance Certificate. (a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signer of their duties as an Officer of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signer knows of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, its status, and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
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Section 4.13 Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
Section 4.14 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture. The Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 4.15 Termination of Covenants.
(a) On the day (such date, the “Termination Date”) after the Issue Date on which:
(1) the Securities have an Investment Grade Rating from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s;
(2) no Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee the Officer’s Certificate described below, the covenants listed in this sentence will be permanently terminated and the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, will not be subject to the provisions of Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08 and Section 5.01(a)(3). On the Termination Date, the Company will provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee regarding such occurrence. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if the Termination Date has occurred or notify the Holders of the Termination Date. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate to any Holder of the Securities upon written request.
Section 4.16 Rating of Notes.
The Company shall use its best efforts to have the Securities rated by each of Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch (provided that if, after the Company using best efforts, two or more of such entities shall be unwilling or unable to issue a rating of the Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to have the Securities rated by one or more additional nationally recognized rating agencies such that the Securities are rated by at least two entities) as promptly as practicable after the Issue Date, and in any case within 90 days of the Issue Date.
ARTICLE 5
Successor Company
Section 5.01 When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.
(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person (each, a “Section 5.01(a) Transaction”), unless:
(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(3) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, (x) the Successor Company would be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or (y) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Successor Company will be equal to or greater than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and
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(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, together stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture;
provided, however, that clause (3) will not be applicable to (A) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into, conveying, transferring or leasing all or part of its assets to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, (B) the Company merging with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose and with the sole effect of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction or (C) reorganizing the Company as a different type of entity, provided that in the case where the surviving entity in such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is not a corporation, a corporation becomes (or has previously become) a co-issuer of the Securities.
For purposes of this Section 5.01(a), the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Restricted Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided, however, that this Section 5.01(a) shall not be applicable to Permitted Grizzly Dispositions.
The Successor Company (if not the Company) shall be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.
For all purposes of this Indenture, Subsidiaries of any Successor Company will, upon any Section 5.01(a) Transaction, become Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to this Indenture, and all Indebtedness and Liens of the Successor Company and its Subsidiaries that were not Indebtedness or Liens on property or assets, as the case may be, of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Section 5.01(a) Transaction shall be deemed to have been Incurred upon such transaction.
In connection with a Section 5.01(a) Transaction, a direct or indirect parent company (an “Assuming Parent”) of the Successor Company may assume the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture in accordance with clause (1) above (in lieu of the Successor Company) and be treated for all purposes under this Indenture as the Successor Company if, (A) such Assuming Parent designates by a resolution of its Board of Directors which of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to the time of the Section 5.01(a) Transaction, which shall be Restricted Subsidiaries of such Assuming Parent) will constitute Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such assumption and (B) after giving effect to such Section 5.01(a), Transaction and the designation described in subclause (A) above, such Assuming Parent is in compliance with clauses (2), (3) and (4) above and the other provisions of this Indenture as if it were the Successor Company, as evidenced by the Officer’s Certificate provided pursuant to clause (4) above (which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be relied upon as to factual matters by counsel providing the related Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to clause (4)). For the avoidance of doubt, (i) in connection with a Section 5.01(a) Transaction, only transactions by the Successor Company (or an Assuming Parent) and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) that are completed after the date of completion of the Section 5.01(a) Transaction shall be subject to the provisions of this Indenture and (ii) any amounts in the calculation in Section 4.04(a)(3) that are attributable to the Successor Company (or an Assuming Parent) and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be counted for purposes of Section 4.04(a)(3) only from and after the date of completion of such Section 5.01(a) Transaction.
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(b) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:
(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person (if not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by a Guaranty Agreement, all the obligations of such Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that this clause (1) shall not apply if such Person is not a Subsidiary of the Company if in connection therewith the Company provides an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee to the effect that the Company will comply with its obligations, if any, under Section 4.06 in respect of such transaction;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of such Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, together stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any, complies with this Indenture.
(c) The Company shall not permit any Parent Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:
(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by a Guaranty Agreement, all the obligations of such Parent Guarantor, if any, under its Parent Guarantee;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of such Parent Guarantor as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Parent Guarantor at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, together stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guaranty Agreement, if any, complies with this Indenture.
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ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
Section 6.01 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:
(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Security when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(3) the Company fails to comply with its obligations in Section 5.01;
(4) the Company fails to comply for (i) 30 days after notice with any of its obligations in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06 (other than a failure to purchase Securities), 4.07, 4.08, 4.09 (other than a failure to purchase Securities), 4.10 or 4.11 or (ii) 120 days after notice with any of its obligations in Section 4.02;
(5) the Company or any Applicable Guarantor fails to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in this Indenture;
(6) Indebtedness of the Company, any Applicable Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100.0 million;
(7) the Company, any Applicable Guarantor or any subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(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 any substantial part of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
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(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and, in each case, the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $100.0 million above the coverage under applicable insurance policies and indemnities, as to which the relevant insurer or indemnitor has not disclaimed responsibility, is entered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following the entry of such judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived or stayed;
(10) (i) any Parent Guarantee or (ii) any Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor whose assets have a net book value of more than $15.0 million, in either of case (i) or (ii), ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Applicable Guarantee or this Indenture) or any Applicable Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Applicable Guarantee; or
(11) the occurrence of an Event of Default under the 1145 Securities Indenture.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
A Default under clauses (4) and (5) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied, and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default”.
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.
(b) If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders.
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(c) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
(d) In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Securities solely because an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(6) has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Securities shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(6) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or such Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Securities would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Securities.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
(a) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.
(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder 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. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except:
(a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Security;
(b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security when required pursuant to this Indenture; or
(c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder affected.
When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
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Section 6.05 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
(a) Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Securityholder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:
(1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(5) holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
(b) A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder. In the event that the Definitive Securities are not issued to any beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Definitive Securities to such beneficial owner of its nominee, the Company expressly agrees and acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to this Indenture, the right of such beneficial holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial holder’s Securities as if such Definitive Securities had been issued.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, 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.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.
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Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
Section 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order, pro rata with respect to the Securities and the 1145 Securities:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;
SECOND: to Securityholders, for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company.
Subject to the requirements of the following sentence, the Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section. At least 10 days before such record date, the Company shall cause to be sent to each Securityholder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
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 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 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 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 20% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities.
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ARTICLE 7
Trustee
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture 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 shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability 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;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall 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.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee shall be held uninvested and need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
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Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on 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 Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(g) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in Article 4. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except: (i) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2); or (ii) any Default or Event of Default of which a Trust Officer shall have received written notification.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.
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Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs, is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory purchase provisions of such Security), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is not opposed to the interests of the Securityholders.
Section 7.06 [Reserved].
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee that has been adjudicated to have been the result of the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.
The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee.
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(b) The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(A) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(B) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(C) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(D) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(c) If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
(d) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
(e) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(g) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger.
(a) If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
(b) In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
Section 7.10 Eligibility. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
ARTICLE 8
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
Section 8.01 Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance. (a) When (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation or (2) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable, whether at maturity or as a result of the sending of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, or will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and, in the case of clause (2), the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as applicable, (x) cash in United States dollars or (y) cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as, in the aggregate, will be sufficient (in the case of clause (y), (A) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, or (B) if no such opinion in the immediately preceding clause (A) can be reasonably obtained, in the opinion of the chief financial officer of the Company) to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Securities, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), be satisfied and discharged and cease to be of further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.
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(b) Subject to Sections 2.03, 2.06, 2.07, 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (1) all its obligations under the Securities and this Indenture (“legal defeasance option”) or (2) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11 and the operation of Sections 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Subsidiaries) and the limitations contained in Section 5.01(a)(3) (“covenant defeasance option”).
(c) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Subsidiaries) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 5.01(a)(3). If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Applicable Guarantor shall be automatically released from all of its obligations with respect to its Applicable Guarantee.
(d) Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.
(e) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.
Section 8.02 Conditions to Defeasance.
(a) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee (x) cash in United States dollars or (y) cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as, in the aggregate, will be sufficient (in the case of clause (y), (A) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, or (B) if no such opinion in the immediately preceding clause (A) can be reasonably obtained, in the opinion of the chief financial officer of the Company) for the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion (or, if two or more nationally recognized firms of independent accountants decline to issue such opinion after the Company has made reasonable efforts to obtain such an opinion, a certificate from the Company’s chief financial officer expressing such opinion) that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(3) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Company (other than a default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of any Lien to secure such borrowings in connection therewith);
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(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Indenture 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 Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law);
(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit or 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 deposit or covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
(8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, together stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance of the Securities as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
(b) Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article 3.
Section 8.03 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.
Section 8.04 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors.
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Section 8.05 Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
Section 8.06 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 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 each Applicable Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, each Applicable Guarantee and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 8.07 Requirement to Satisfy and Discharge or Defease 1145 Securities. The Company will not satisfy and discharge or defease the Securities under this Article 8 without also satisfying and discharging or defeasing, respectively, the 1145 Securities under the 1145 Securities Indenture on substantially the same terms at substantially the same time.
ARTICLE 9
Amendments
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.
(a) The Company, the Applicable Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Applicable Guarantor under this Indenture as contemplated by Article 5;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities (provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);
(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities, including any Applicable Guarantees, or to secure the Securities;
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(5) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Applicable Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Applicable Guarantor;
(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Securities in any material respect;
(7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification, or to effect or maintain such qualification, of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act (if the Company elects to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act);
(8) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Securities; provided, however, that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Securities; or
(9) to reflect the issuance of Additional Securities in compliance with the terms of this Indenture.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall send to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.
(a) The Company, the Applicable Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Securities or the Applicable Guarantees with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Securities) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. However, without the consent of each Securityholder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Security;
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(4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the date on which any Security may be redeemed pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities (provided that the foregoing shall not include changing the notice periods for any redemption);
(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;
(6) impair the right of any holder of the Securities to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Securities;
(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this Section;
(8) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Security that would adversely affect the Securityholders; or
(9) make any change in, or release other than in accordance with this Indenture, any Applicable Guarantee that would adversely affect the Securityholders.
(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(c) After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall send to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.
(d) Notwithstanding the preceding, (i) the provisions under this Indenture, including Section 4.06, relative to the obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Securities as a result of an Asset Disposition and (ii) the provisions under this Indenture, including Section 4.09, relative to the Company’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Securities as a result of a Change of Control, in each case may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.
Section 9.03 [Reserved].
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.
(a) A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.
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(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
Section 9.06 Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 10
Applicable Guarantees
Section 10.01 Guarantees. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article 10, each Applicable Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Applicable Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Applicable Guarantor and that such Applicable Guarantor will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.
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(b) Each Applicable Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Applicable Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Securities or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Applicable Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person (including any Applicable Guarantor) under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (5) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (6) except as set forth in Section 10.06, any change in the ownership of such Applicable Guarantor.
(c) Each Applicable Guarantor further agrees that its Applicable Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(d) Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 10.02 and 10.06, the obligations of each Applicable Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Applicable Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Applicable Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Applicable Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
(e) Each Applicable Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
(f) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Applicable Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Applicable Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (A) the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (B) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (C) all other monetary Guaranteed Obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.
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(g) Each Applicable Guarantor agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Applicable Guarantor’s Applicable Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Applicable Guarantor for the purposes of this Section.
(h) Each Applicable Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section.
Section 10.02 Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Applicable Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Applicable Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Section 10.03 Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Applicable Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
Section 10.04 No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
Section 10.05 Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Applicable Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Applicable Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Applicable Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
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Section 10.06 Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07):
(1) upon any consolidation with or merger with or into, or conveyance, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person by such Subsidiary Guarantor except as required pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(1);
(2) upon the disposition of all or a portion of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor such that such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, if, in connection therewith, the Company provides an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee to the effect that the Company will comply with its obligations, if any, under Section 4.06 in respect of such disposition;
(3) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(4) at such time as such Subsidiary Guarantor would not be required to enter into a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Section 4.11; or
(5) if the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option in Section 8.01 or if the Company’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
(b) Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any of the conditions described above has occurred, the Trustee shall execute any supplemental indenture or other documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture.
Section 10.07 Release of Parent Guarantor.
(a) A Parent Guarantor (other than the Initial Parent Guarantor) will be automatically released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07):
(1) at such time as such Parent Guarantor would not be required to enter into a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Section 4.11; or
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(2) if the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option in Section 8.01 or if the Company’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Section 10.08 Contribution. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE 11
Miscellaneous
Section 11.01 [Reserved].
Section 11.02 Notices. (a) Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company or any Applicable Guarantor:
Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation
3001 Quail Springs Pkwy.
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: (405) 252-4901
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice)
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
609 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Sean T. Wheeler, P.C.
Michael W. Rigdon
Facsimile: (713) 836-3601
if to the Trustee:
UMB Bank, National Association
Corporate Trust Services
120 South Sixth Street, Suite 1400
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: Gavin Wilkinson
Email: ***@***
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(b) The Company, any Applicable Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(c) Any notice or communication mailed or otherwise sent to a Securityholder shall be sent to the Securityholder at the Securityholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.
(d) Failure to mail or otherwise send a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed or sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
Section 11.03 [Reserved].
Section 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual 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 individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
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Section 11.06 When Securities Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlled by the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
Section 11.07 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
Section 11.08 Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
Section 11.09 Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Section 11.10 No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Applicable Guarantor (other than a stockholder that is the Company or another Applicable Guarantor) shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Securities, any Applicable Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
Section 11.11 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
Section 11.12 Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 11.13 Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.14 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, epidemics, pandemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
GULFPORT ENERGY OPERATING CORPORATION | |||
By: | /s/ Timothy Cutt | ||
Name: | Timothy Cutt | ||
Title: | Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||
GUARANTORS | |||
GATOR MARINE IVANHOE, INC. | |||
GATOR MARINE, INC. | |||
GULFPORT APPALACHIA, LLC | |||
GULFPORT MIDSTREAM HOLDINGS, LLC | |||
GRIZZLY HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
GULFPORT MIDCON, LLC | |||
JAGUAR RESOURCES LLC | |||
MULE SKY LLC | |||
PUMA RESOURCES, INC. | |||
GULFPORT ENERGY CORPORATION | |||
WESTHAWK MINERALS LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Timothy Cutt | ||
Name: | Timothy Cutt | ||
Title: | Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||
UMB Bank, National Association, AS TRUSTEE | |||
By: | /s/ Jacob H. Smith IV | ||
Name: | Jacob H. Smith IV | ||
Title: | Vice President |
RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SECURITIES
1. | Definitions |
1.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Security, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
“AI” means an “accredited investor”, as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Security bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.3(e).
“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
“Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Securities, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Securities are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Securities.
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Rule 144A Securities” means all Securities offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.
“Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.
“Transfer Restricted Securities” means Securities that bear or are required to bear the legend relating to restrictions on transfer relating to the Securities Act set forth in Section 2.3(e) hereto.
1.2 Other Definitions
Term | Defined in Section: | |
“Agent Members” | 2.1(b) | |
“AI Global Security” | 2.1(a) | |
“Permanent Regulation S Global Security” | 2.1(a) | |
“Regulation S” | 2.1(a) | |
“Regulation S Global Security” | 2.1(a) | |
“Rule 144A” | 2.1(a) | |
“Rule 144A Global Security” | 2.1(a) | |
“Temporary Regulation S Global Security” | 2.1(a) |
2. The Securities.
2.1 (a) Form and Dating. The Securities will be issued initially only to (i) QIBs and AIs in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2)”) or Rule 506(c) under Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”, and together with Section 4(a)(2), the “Private Placement Exemptions”) and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). Securities may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”), AIs in reliance on Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act, and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Securities initially issued pursuant to the Private Placement Exemptions (A) to QIBs shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Security”) and to (B) AIs shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “AI Global Security”); and Securities initially issued pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global securities in fully registered form (collectively, the “Temporary Regulation S Global Security”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Securities represented thereby with the Securities Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Security will not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Security, the AI Global Security, a permanent global security (the “Permanent Regulation S Global Security”, and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Security, the “Regulation S Global Security”) or any other Security prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Security, an AI Global Security or the Permanent Regulation S Global Security only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Security are owned either by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an AI Global Security, certification that the interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Security is being transferred to an “accredited investor” under the Securities Act that is an accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of an accredited investor.
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Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Securities or AI Global Securities may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Securities if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Securities in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Security or the AI Global Security, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Security or the AI Global Security, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (a) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (b) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Securities and Rule 144A Global Securities may be exchanged for an interest in AI Global Securities if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the securities in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Security or Rule 144A Global Security, as applicable, first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit 2) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Security or Rule 144A Global Security, as applicable, is being transferred (a) to an “accredited investor” within the meaning of 501(a) under the Securities Act that is an accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of such an accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of the securities of $250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Security or an AI Global Security may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Security, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in this Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).
The Rule 144A Global Security, the AI Global Security, the Temporary Regulation S Global Security and the Permanent Regulation S Global Security are collectively referred to herein as “Global Securities”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
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(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Securities that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depository and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depository or pursuant to the Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.
(c) Definitive Securities. Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities.
2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $0.0 million 8.0% Senior Notes due 2026 and (2) any Additional Securities for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of this Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03 of this Indenture.
2.3 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities. When Definitive Securities are presented to the Registrar with a request:
(x) | to register the transfer of such Definitive Securities; or |
(y) | to exchange such Definitive Securities for an equal principal amount of Definitive Securities of other authorized denominations, |
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the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and (ii) if such Definitive Securities are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Securities are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or
(B) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect; or
(C) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Security for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Security. A Definitive Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Security, an AI Global Security or a Permanent Regulation S Global Security except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security, that such Definitive Security is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an AI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Security in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Security in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Security; and
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(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), AI Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(1)(B)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Security (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Securities represented by the Rule 144A Global Security, AI Global Security or Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase, then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Security and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Securities represented by the Rule 144A Global Security, AI Global Security or Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Security to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Security, AI Global Security or Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Security so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Securities, AI Global Securities or Permanent Regulation S Global Securities, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Company, a new Rule 144A Global Security, AI Global Security or Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Security. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Security and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Security being transferred.
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Security to a beneficial interest in another Global Security, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Security to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security from which such interest is being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
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(iv) In the event that a Global Security is exchanged for Definitive Securities pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Securities intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Securities. During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Securities may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to the Company, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Security), or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.
(e) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Security certificate evidencing the Global Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Securities offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S shall bear a 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.
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) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) 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.
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Each certificate evidencing a Security offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Each Definitive Security shall also bear the following additional legend:
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Security that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security).
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(f) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for Definitive Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Security shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(g) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
2.4 Definitive Securities.
(a) A Global Security deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Securities Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, in either case, and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Securities under this Indenture.
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(b) Any Global Security that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Security transferred pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $1 principal amount and any greater integral multiple of $1 thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Security delivered in exchange for an interest in a Transfer Restricted Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legend and definitive securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Security shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.4(a) hereof, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Securities in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that such Definitive Securities are not issued, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture, the right of any beneficial owner of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial owner’s Securities as if such Definitive Securities had been issued.
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EXHIBIT 1
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RULE 144A/REGULATION S/AI APPENDIX
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[Global Securities Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]
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.
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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) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) 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.
[Restricted Securities Legend for Securities Offered in Reliance on Regulation S.]
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
[Temporary Regulation S Global Security Legend]
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY WILL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY OR ANY OTHER SECURITY REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE COMPANY, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.
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AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL SECURITY ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN AN AI GLOBAL SECURITY ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHED THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL SECURITY OR AN AI GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).
[Definitive Securities Legend]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
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[FORM OF INITIAL NOTE]
No.
$ [or such greater or lesser
amount as may be indicated on the
Schedule of Increases or Decreases
in Global Security attached hereto]11
8.0% Senior Notes due 2026
Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of dollars [(or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto)]1 on May 17, 2026.
Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1.
Record Dates: May 15 and November 15.
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.
Dated:
GULFPORT ENERGY OPERATING CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
1 | Add if Global Security |
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Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Dated: |
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]
8.0% Senior Notes due 2026
1. Interest
Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation, a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2021. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from May 17, 2021. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by this Security plus 1.0% per annum, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
2. Method of Payment
The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the May 15 and November 15 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
3. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, UMB Bank, National Association (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
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4. Indenture
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of May 17, 2021, as such may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Applicable Guarantors and the Trustee. Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of those terms.
The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Securities issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Securities will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments; engage in transactions with affiliates; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications and are subject to termination upon the occurrence of certain events.
5. Optional Redemption
Except as set forth below and in Section 4.09(h) of the Indenture, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Securities at its option.
(a) On and after May 17, 2024, the Company shall be entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Securities, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date), plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 17 of the years set forth below:
Period | Redemption Price | |||
2024 | 104.00 | % | ||
2025 and thereafter | 100.00 | % |
(b) In addition, any time prior to May 17, 2024, the Company shall be entitled, at its option on one or more occasions, to redeem Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) issued prior to such date at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.00%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), with an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds from one or more Qualifying Equity Offerings; provided, however, that (1) at least 60% of such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (with Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Affiliates being deemed to be not outstanding for purposes of such calculation); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the related Qualifying Equity Offering.
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(c) Prior to May 17, 2024, the Company shall be entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Securities at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
6. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption shall be sent at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Any inadvertent defect in the notice of redemption, including an inadvertent failure to give notice, to any Holder selected for redemption shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any other Security redeemed in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. Securities in denominations larger than $1 principal amount may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
Notice of any redemption in connection with any Qualifying Equity Offering or other securities offering or any other financing, or in connection with a transaction (or a series of related transactions) that constitute a Change of Control, may, at the Company’s discretion, be given prior to the completion thereof and be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of the related Qualifying Equity Offering, securities offering, financing or Change of Control. If a redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the redemption date may be delayed up to 30 Business Days upon notice thereof to Holders; provided that if such conditions precedent are not satisfied within 30 Business Days of the proposed redemption date, such redemption shall not occur and the notice thereof shall be rescinded, with notice thereof to be given to Holders.
7. Put Provisions
Upon a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
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The Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, the Company shall be required to use the Net Available Cash from an Asset Disposition to make an offer to Holders to purchase Securities at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest, subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
8. Guarantee
The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior basis by each of the Applicable Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
9. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1 principal amount and whole multiples of $1 in excess of $1. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 10 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 10 days before an interest payment date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
11. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
12. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee (x) cash in United States dollars or (y) cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as, in the aggregate, will be sufficient (in the case of clause (y), (A) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, or (B) if no such opinion in the immediately preceding clause (A) can be reasonably obtained, in the opinion of the chief financial officer of the Company) for the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
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13. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture and the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the Applicable Guarantors and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, to add guarantees with respect to the Securities, including Applicable Guarantees, to secure the Securities, to add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Applicable Guarantors, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act (if the Company elects to so qualify the Indenture), to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect, to make amendments to provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Securities, or to reflect the issuance of Additional Securities.
14. Defaults and Remedies
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; (b) default in payment of principal on the Securities at maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (c) failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (d) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $100.0 million; (e) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (f) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $100.0 million; and (g) certain defaults with respect to Applicable Guarantees. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company are Events of Default that will result in the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
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15. Trustee Dealings with the Company
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
16. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, as such, of the Company or any Applicable Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
17. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.
18. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
19. 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 Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
20. Reserved.
21. Governing Law.
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THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:
Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation
3001 Quail Springs Pkwy.
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: (405) 252-4901
7
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security 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 other side of this Security.
In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) | ☐ | to the Company; or | ||
(2) | ☐ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
(3) | ☐ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
(4) | ☐ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
(5) | ☐ | pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. | ||
(6) | ☐ | pursuant to any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. |
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Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.
Signature | ||
Signature Guarantee: | ||
Signature must be guaranteed | Signature |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated: | ||
Notice: | To be executed by an executive officer |
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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal amount of this Global Security | Amount of increase in Principal amount of this Global Security | Principal amount of this Global Security following such decrease or increase) | Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Securities Custodian | ||||
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, check the box: ☐
If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $
Dated: ___________________________ | Your Signature:_______________________________ | |
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.) | ||
Signature Guarantee:________________________________________________________________________ | ||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF GUARANTY AGREEMENT]
[ ] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
[ ] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of [ ], 20[ ] among Gulfport Energy Operating Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the New Applicable Guarantors (as defined below), and UMB Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Applicable Guarantors have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of May 17, 2021 ([as supplemented by ,] the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Securities”);
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2021, the Company issued $0 in principal amount of Securities;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section [4.11][5.01(b)] of the Indenture, the Company is required to cause each of the subsidiaries of the Company listed on Annex A (the “New Applicable Guarantors”) to execute and deliver to the Trustee this Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01[2][4], the Company wishes to amend, without the consent of any Securityholder, the Indenture to [add Applicable Guarantors][provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor]; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section [4.11][5.01(b)] of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and each of the New Applicable Guarantors are 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 Company, each of the New Applicable Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities as follows:
1. Definitions; Construction.
(a) Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(b) For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise herein expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the terms and expressions used herein shall have the same meanings as corresponding terms and expressions used in the Indenture; and (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.
2. The New Applicable Guarantors.
(a) In accordance with Sections [4.11][5.01(b)] and 9.01[(2)][(4)] of the Indenture, each New Applicable Guarantor by its signature below hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as an Applicable Guarantor and unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Securities and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other Guaranteed Obligations, in each case on the same terms and conditions as applicable to the other Applicable Guarantors set forth in the Indenture, including those terms and conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as an Applicable Guarantor.
(b) Each New Applicable Guarantor hereby agrees to all of the terms and conditions of the Indenture applicable to it as an Applicable Guarantor thereunder. Each reference to an “Applicable Guarantor,” “Parent Guarantor” or “Subsidiary Guarantor,” as applicable, in the Indenture shall be deemed to include each New Applicable Guarantor, as applicable.
3. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and the New Applicable Guarantors and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of 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. One signed copy is enough to prove this Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not effect the construction thereof.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this [ ] Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
GULFPORT ENERGY OPERATING CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[NEW APPLICABLE GUARANTOR[S]] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement]
Annex A
New Applicable Guarantor