Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Simplification Agreement, dated November 14, 2019, by and among Noble Midstream Partners LP, Noble Midstream GP LLC, Noble Midstream Services, LLC, NBL Midstream, LLC, NBL Midstream Holdings LLC, Blanco River DevCo GP LLC, Green River DevCo GP LLC and San Juan River DevCo GP LLC

Contract Categories: Business Operations - Services Agreements
EX-2.1 2 d832922dex21.htm EX-2.1 EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION

AND SIMPLIFICATION AGREEMENT

by and among

NOBLE ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC

NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC

and

NBL MIDSTREAM HOLDINGS LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article I Definitions

     6  

Article II Contribution of Subject Interests; Consideration; Acknowledgements

     14  

Section 2.1

   Contribution of Subject Interests      14  

Section 2.2

   Consideration      15  

Section 2.3

   Excluded Liabilities      15  

Section 2.4

   Excluded Assets      15  

Section 2.5

   Transaction Taxes      16  

Section 2.6

   Conveyances of any Excluded Assets      16  

Section 2.7

   Partnership Agreement      16  

Article III Closing

     17  

Section 3.1

   Closing      17  

Section 3.2

   Deliveries by NBL Midstream      17  

Section 3.3

   Deliveries by the Partnership Parties      17  

Article IV Representations and Warranties of Noble and NBL Midstream

     18  

Section 4.1

   Organization and Existence      18  

Section 4.2

   Authority and Approval; Enforceability      18  

Section 4.3

   No Conflict      18  

Section 4.4

   Consents      19  

Section 4.5

   Laws and Regulations; Litigation      19  

Section 4.6

   Management Projections and Budgets      20  

Section 4.7

   The Subject Interests      20  

Section 4.8

   The NBL Holdings Assets      21  

Section 4.9

   Environmental Matters      22  

Section 4.10

   Outstanding Capital Commitments      23  

Section 4.11

   Permits      23  

Section 4.12

   Contracts      23  

Section 4.13

   Insurance      24  

Section 4.14

   Employees      24  

Section 4.15

   Brokerage Arrangements      24  

Section 4.16

   No Preferential Rights      24  

Section 4.17

   Accredited Investor      24  

Section 4.18

   Taxes      24  

Section 4.19

   No Other Representations or Warranties; Independent Investigation      25  

Article V Representations and Warranties of the Partnership Parties

     25  

Section 5.1

   Organization and Existence      25  

Section 5.2

   Authority and Approval; Enforceability      26  

Section 5.3

   No Conflict      26  

 

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Section 5.4

   Consents      26  

Section 5.5

   Laws and Regulations; Litigation      27  

Section 5.6

   Delivery of Fairness Opinion      27  

Section 5.7

   Issuance of New Common Units and Converted Common Units      27  

Section 5.8

   Common Units Listed      27  

Section 5.9

   Brokerage Arrangements      27  

Section 5.10

   No Other Representations or Warranties; Independent Investigation      27  

Article VI Additional Covenants and Agreements

     28  

Section 6.1

   Further Assurances      28  

Section 6.2

   Tax Covenants      28  

Section 6.3

   Post-Closing Distributions      30  

Section 6.4

   Offering      30  

Article VII Indemnification

     30  

Section 7.1

   Indemnification of NBL Midstream      30  

Section 7.2

   Indemnification of the Partnership Parties      30  

Section 7.3

   Demands      31  

Section 7.4

   Right to Contest and Defend      31  

Section 7.5

   Cooperation      32  

Section 7.6

   Right to Participate      32  

Section 7.7

   Payment of Damages      32  

Section 7.8

   Limitations on Indemnification      32  

Section 7.9

   Survival      33  

Section 7.10

   Sole Remedy      34  

Section 7.11

   Express Negligence      34  

Article VIII Miscellaneous

     34  

Section 8.1

   Expenses      34  

Section 8.2

   Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment      34  

Section 8.3

   Notices      34  

Section 8.4

   Governing Law      35  

Section 8.5

   Public Statements      36  

Section 8.6

   Form of Payment      36  

Section 8.7

   Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers      36  

Section 8.8

   Binding Effect and Assignment      37  

Section 8.9

   Severability      37  

Section 8.10

   Interpretation      37  

Section 8.11

   Counterparts      37  

 

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CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION

AND SIMPLIFICATION AGREEMENT

This CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE, ASSUMPTION AND SIMPLIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated as of November 14, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is by and among NOBLE ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Noble”), NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Midstream Services”), NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Noble (“NBL Midstream”), and NBL MIDSTREAM HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of NBL Midstream (“NBL Holdings”). Noble, the Partnership, General Partner, Midstream Services, NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings are each referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Blanco River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Services (“Blanco River DevCo GP”), owns a 40% general partner interest in Blanco River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Blanco River DevCo”), and NBL Midstream owns a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo (the “Blanco River Interest”);

WHEREAS, Green River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Services (“Green River DevCo GP”), owns a 25% general partner interest in Green River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Green River DevCo”), and NBL Midstream owns a 75% limited partner interest in Green River DevCo (the “Green River Interest”);

WHEREAS, San Juan River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Services (“San Juan River DevCo GP”), owns a 25% general partner interest in San Juan River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“San Juan River DevCo” and together with Blanco River DevCo and Green River DevCo the “DevCos”), and NBL Midstream owns a 75% limited partner interest in San Juan River DevCo (the “San Juan River Interest”);

WHEREAS, NBL Midstream owns all of the Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”) in the Partnership;

WHEREAS, NBL Midstream owns all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of NBL Holdings (the “NBL Holdings Interest”), which owns the NBL Holdings Assets (as defined below);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Closing (as defined below), (a) NBL Midstream desires to contribute, assign, transfer, convey, and deliver to the Partnership, and the Partnership desires to receive, accept, and acquire from NBL Midstream, (i) the Blanco River Interest, (ii) the Green River Interest (iii) the San Juan River Interest, and (iv) the NBL Holdings Interests, in

 

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exchange for the Drop-Down Consideration (as defined below), and (b) NBL Midstream and the Partnership desire to cause the General Partner to amend the Current Partnership Agreement in order to recapitalize and convert the IDRs into the Converted Common Units (as defined below), all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “Transaction”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, the Partnership is proposing to issue and sell Common Units in private placements to certain institutional investors (the “Offering”) in order to fund a portion of the Cash Consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the Transaction. The Transaction is not conditioned upon the consummation of an Offering.

WHEREAS,

(a) the Conflicts Committee (the “Conflicts Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the “Board of Directors”) has previously:

(i) received an opinion (the “Fairness Opinion”) of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, the financial advisor to the Conflicts Committee (the “Financial Advisor”), that the Total Consideration to be paid by the Partnership in the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and to the holders of the Partnership’s Common Units other than the General Partner, Noble and their Affiliates (collectively, the “Public Unitholders”);

(ii) after an evaluation of, among other things, the Transaction, the Fairness Opinion, the proposed terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (as defined below) and the business and prospects of the Partnership, determined in good faith that the Transaction is not adverse to the interests of the Partnership and the Public Unitholders;

(iii) unanimously approved the Transaction and the Transaction Documents upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents, such approval constituting “Special Approval” for purposes of the Current Partnership Agreement (as defined below); and

(iv) unanimously recommended that the Board of Directors (A) approve the Transaction and the Transaction Documents upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents and (B) cause the Partnership or its designee(s) to enter into the Transaction Documents and consummate the Transaction upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents; and

(b) subsequently, the Board of Directors approved the Transaction, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents;

WHEREAS, in order to effect the recapitalization and conversion of the IDRs, the General Partner will amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of September 20, 2016 (the “Current Partnership Agreement”), to reflect the recapitalization and conversion of the IDRs (such amended and restated agreement, which may include certain other changes approved by the General Partner, being referred to as the “Revised Partnership Agreement”); and

 

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WHEREAS, the Parties have taken or caused to be taken all corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership action, as applicable, required to approve the Transaction.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise; provided, however, that (a) with respect to Noble, NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings, and the General Partner, the term “Affiliate” shall not include any Group Member and (b) with respect to the Partnership Group, the term “Affiliate” shall not include NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings, the General Partner, or any of their Subsidiaries (other than a Group Member).

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Assignment Agreement” means that certain Interest Assignment Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.

Blanco River DevCo” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Blanco River DevCo GP” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Blanco River Interest” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Blanco River Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Blanco River DevCo, dated as of September 20, 2016.

Board of Directors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Business Day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday, or any day on which banks located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated to close.

Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).

Cash Consideration” means the Offering Proceeds plus $420,000,000.

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Code” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(c).

 

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Common Unit” has the meaning set forth in the Current Partnership Agreement.

Conflicts Committee” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Conflicts Committee Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

Contracts” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

Control” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have correlative meanings.

Converted Common Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Current Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

CWPC” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

CWPC Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(e).

Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

Deductible” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).

De Minimis Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a).

DevCos” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

DLLCA” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. Section 18-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Drop-Down” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

Drop-Down Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

DRULPA” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

East Pony Assignment Agreement means that certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

Effective Time” means 12:01 a.m. local time in Houston, Texas on the Closing Date, or such other time and date mutually agreed to by the Parties in writing.

 

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Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, rules, orders, ordinances, rules of common law, approvals, registrations, exemptions, licenses, or permits of any Governmental Authority pertaining to health, safety, the environment, wildlife or natural resources in effect as of the date hereof in any and all jurisdictions in which any of the NBL Holdings Assets are located, including the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the Pipeline Safety Act, the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act, as each is amended from time to time and any state laws implementing the foregoing federal laws, any state laws pertaining to management of Hazardous Materials, including the handling of oil and gas exploration and production or processing wastes or the use, maintenance, and closure of pits and impoundments, all other federal, state, or local environmental conservation or protection laws, and any common law creating liability for environmental conditions.

Equipment” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

Excluded Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

Excluded Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

Fairness Opinion” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Financial Advisor” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

General Partner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Governmental Authority” means (a) the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America and (b) any court or any governmental or administrative department, commission, board, bureau or agency of the United States of America or of any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America.

Green River DevCo” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Green River DevCo GP” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Green River Interest” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Green River Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Green River DevCo, dated as of September 20, 2016.

Group Member” has the meaning set forth in the Current Partnership Agreement.

 

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Hazardous Materials” means (a) any pollutants, contaminants, solid wastes, toxic, or hazardous or extremely hazardous substances, materials, wastes, constituents, compounds, or chemicals as these or similar terms are regulated by, or may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental Laws; (b) any asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls or radon; and (c) any petroleum, Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, natural gas, crude oil, and any fractions, components, or derivatives thereof.

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, condensate, and other gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons or any combination thereof and sulphur extracted from hydrocarbons.

IDR Recapitalization” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

IDRs” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Indemnity Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.

knowledge” means, with respect to any Party, the actual, present knowledge of the individual or individuals employed by such Party that have management-level responsibility for the fact or matter in question, in each case after due inquiry.

Liability” or “Liabilities” means any direct or indirect liability, indebtedness, obligation, cost, expense, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, guaranty, or endorsement of or by any Person, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, due or to become due, liquidated or unliquidated.

Lien” means any security interest, lien, deed of trust, mortgage, pledge, charge, claim, restriction, easement, encumbrance, or other similar interest or right.

Material Contract” means all of the following contracts and agreements to which any of the NBL Holdings Assets will be bound as of the Closing:

 

  (a)

any agreement with any Affiliate of NBL Holdings;

 

  (b)

any agreement or contract for the gathering, processing, transportation, purchase, sale, exchange, or other disposition of Hydrocarbons relating to the NBL Holdings Assets that is not cancelable without penalty or other material payment on not more than 30 days’ prior written notice; and

 

  (c)

any tax partnership agreement of or binding upon NBL Holdings affecting any of the NBL Holdings Assets.

Midstream Services” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

NBL Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

NBL Holdings Assets” means all of NBL Holdings’ right, title, and interest, real or personal, recorded or unrecorded, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, in and to the following (but excluding the Excluded Assets):

 

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(a) all of the equity interests in Clayton Williams Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a Clayton Williams Pipeline Corporation) (“CWPC”);

(b) the Systems;

(c) to the extent transferable, all contracts, agreements, instruments, undertakings, or commitments (including intercompany contracts, agreements, instruments, undertakings or commitments), written or oral, by which any System is bound, or that directly relate to any System (including exchange agreements, gathering agreements, connection or interconnect agreements, construction agreements, operating agreements, work orders, purchase orders, service agreements, rental agreements, compression agreements, utility services agreements, non-disturbance agreements for the benefit of NBL Holdings, fractionation agreements, and agreements for the sale and purchase of Hydrocarbons or processing agreements to the extent applicable to any System), including those identified on Schedule 1.1(c) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Contracts”);

(d) to the extent transferable, all easements, Permits, licenses, servitudes, rights-of-way, surface leases, fee interests in real property, covenants, dedications, releases from dedication and other surface rights appurtenant to, and used or held for use in connection with, any System (including those identified on Schedule 1.1(d)) (“Surface Contracts”);

(e) all equipment, machinery, tools, supplies, parts, work-in-progress, radios, communications equipment, telemetry equipment, temporary buildings, vehicles, leased personal property, fixtures, and other tangible personal property and improvements located on any System or used or held for use primarily in connection with the operation of any System, including those identified on Schedule 1.1(e) (“Equipment”);

(f) all claims, causes of action, indemnities and rights of NBL Holdings under or pursuant to all warranties, representations, and guarantees made by suppliers, vendors, manufacturers, subcontractors, and contractors or others relating to products sold, or services provided, to the extent used or held for use primarily in connection with or affecting any of the NBL Holdings Assets;

(g) to the extent owned by NBL Holdings immediately prior to the Effective Time, all Hydrocarbon linefill, imbalance accounts and Hydrocarbons existing within any System from and after the Effective Time;

(h) all pipelines, gathering, interconnect, compression, dehydration, treating, stabilization, processing, fractionation, meter station, pump station, cathodic protection, pig launcher and gas lift systems and appurtenances thereto being part of any System or used, or held for use, in connection with the operating of any System (“Pipelines”);

(i) all materials and Equipment inventory related to or used primarily in connection with the NBL Holdings Assets;

 

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(j) all (i) accounts, instruments, and general intangibles (as such terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware), cash, cash equivalents, notes payable and receivable, accounts payable and receivable, supplier and customer lists, files and correspondence related thereto, bank accounts, savings accounts, safe deposit boxes and the contents of each of the foregoing, certificates of deposit refunds due customers, refunds from suppliers or contractors, prepaid and deferred items (including taxes) attributable to the ownership or operation of the NBL Holdings Assets on or after the Effective Time; and (ii) Liens in favor of NBL Holdings that exist as of the Effective Time, whether choate or inchoate, under any law or under any of the Contracts (A) arising from the ownership, operation or sale, or other disposition of any of the NBL Holdings Assets or (B) arising in favor of NBL Holdings as the operator of certain of the NBL Holdings Assets, but only to the extent a Partnership Party is appointed successor operator; and

(k) all land files, gas contract files, gas gathering and processing files, land surveys, maps, engineering data and reports, and other books, records, data, files, and accounting records (regardless of whether paper or electronic media), in each case to the extent related primarily to the NBL Holdings Assets, or used or held for use primarily in connection with the maintenance or operation thereof, but excluding (i) computer or communications software of intellectual property (including tapes, codes, data, and program documentation and all tangible manifestations and technical information relating thereto), (ii) attorney-client privileged communications and work product of NBL Holdings’ legal counsel, and (iii) reserve studies and evaluations (subject to such exclusions, the “Records”); provided, however, that NBL Holdings may retain copies of such Records as NBL Holdings has reasonably determined may be required for litigation, tax, accounting, or auditing purposes, or otherwise necessary to perform such Party’s or its Affiliates’ obligations under the Transaction Documents, and provide Partnership Parties with the originals thereof.

NBL Holdings Interest” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

NBL Holdings Organizational Documents” means the Certificate of Formation of NBL Holdings and the limited liability company agreement of NBL Holdings.

NBL Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

NBL Midstream” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

New Common Units” means an aggregate amount of Common Units with a value equal to $1,180,000,000.00 less the Offering Proceeds less the value of the Converted Common Units, based on an agreed value for the New Common Units and the Converted Common Units of $24.1841 per Common Unit.

Offering” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Offering Proceeds” means an amount of cash equal to the proceeds raised from the offer and sale of Common Units in the Offering.

 

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Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Partnership Fundamental Representations” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(b).

Partnership Group” has the meaning set forth in the Current Partnership Agreement.

Partnership Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

Partnership Material Adverse Effect” means any change, circumstance, effect or condition that materially adversely affects, delays or prohibits, or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, delay or prohibit, (a) the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, or (b) a Partnership Party’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Partnership Parties” means the Partnership and Midstream Services.

Party” and “Parties” have the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Permits” means all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders, franchises, consents, registrations, exemptions, authorizations, permissions, and approvals of all Governmental Authorities necessary for the lawful ownership and operation of the NBL Holdings Assets.

Permitted Liens” means

(a) the terms, conditions, restrictions, exceptions, reservations, limitations, and other matters contained in any Contract or Surface Contract;

(b) Liens for Taxes that are not yet due and payable or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which an adequate reserve has been established therefor, impositions, assessments, fees, rents, or other governmental charges levied or assessed or imposed not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(c) statutory Liens (including materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, repairmen’s, landlord’s, and other similar Liens) arising in the ordinary course of business securing payments not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(d) utility easements, restrictive covenants, and defects, imperfections, or irregularities of title that do not and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to interfere materially with the ordinary conduct of the business of the NBL Holdings Assets;

(e) required third party Consents to assignment, preferential purchase rights, and other similar agreements with respect to which Consents are obtained from the appropriate Person for the Transaction prior to the Closing or, as to which the appropriate

 

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time for asserting such rights has expired as of the Closing without an exercise of such rights; and

(f) Liens securing debt of NBL Holdings or its Affiliates that will be released prior to or as of the Closing.

Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency, or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

Pipelines” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

Proceedings” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

Public Unitholders” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Records” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

Release” means any releasing, depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing, whether intentional or unintentional.

Revised Partnership Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. The Revised Partnership Agreement shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

San Juan River DevCo” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

San Juan River DevCo GP” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

San Juan River Interest” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

San Juan River Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of San Juan River DevCo, dated as of September 20, 2016.

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

Sponsor Fundamental Representations” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a).

Sponsor Material Adverse Effect” means (a) any change, circumstance, effect, or condition that materially adversely affects, delays, or prohibits, or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, delay, or prohibit, NBL Midstream’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or (b) any change, effect, event or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the NBL Holdings Assets, taken as a whole.

Subject Interests” means the Blanco River Interest, the Green River Interest, the San Juan River Interest and the NBL Holdings Interest.

 

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Surface Contracts” has the meaning set forth in the definition of NBL Holdings Assets.

Systems” means the systems set forth on Exhibit D hereto.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local, or foreign income tax, ad valorem tax, excise tax, sales tax, use tax, franchise tax, real or personal property tax, transfer tax, gross receipts tax or other tax, assessment, duty, fee, levy or other governmental charge, together with and including, any and all interest, fines, penalties, assessments, and additions to Tax resulting from, relating to, or incurred in connection with any of those or any contest or dispute thereof.

Tax Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

Tax Return” means any report, statement, form, return, or other document or information required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority in connection with Taxes.

Total Consideration” means the Drop-Down Consideration and the Converted Common Units.

Transaction” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Assignment Agreement, the Revised Partnership Agreement and any other document delivered pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 3.3 of this Agreement.

Transaction Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

ARTICLE II

CONTRIBUTION OF SUBJECT INTERESTS; CONSIDERATION;

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Section 2.1 Contribution of Subject Interests. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Assignment Agreement, at the Closing:

(a) NBL Midstream hereby contributes, transfers, assigns, conveys, and delivers the Subject Interests to the Partnership, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws) and the Partnership hereby receives, accepts, and acquires the Subject Interests, from NBL Midstream (the “Drop-Down”);

(b) the Partnership hereby contributes, transfers, assigns, conveys, and delivers, as a capital contribution, the Blanco River Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services hereby receives, accepts, and acquires the Blanco River Interest, such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1, Blanco River DevCo GP will hold a 40% general partner interest and Midstream Services will hold a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo;

(c) the Partnership hereby contributes, transfers, assigns, conveys, and delivers, as a capital contribution, the Green River Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services

 

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hereby receives, accepts, and acquires the Green River Interest, such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1, Green River DevCo GP will hold a 25% general partner interest and Midstream Services will hold a 75% limited partner interest in Green River DevCo;

(d) the Partnership hereby contributes, transfers, assigns, conveys, and delivers, as a capital contribution, the San Juan River Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services hereby receives, accepts, and acquires the San Juan River Interest, such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1, San Juan River DevCo GP will hold a 25% general partner interest and Midstream Services will hold a 75% limited partner interest in San Juan River DevCo; and

(e) the Partnership hereby contributes, transfers, assigns, conveys, and delivers, as a capital contribution, the NBL Holdings Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services hereby receives, accepts, and acquires the NBL Holdings Interest, such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1, Midstream Services will hold 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of NBL Holdings.

Section 2.2 Consideration.

(a) In consideration for the contribution of the Subject Interests, the Partnership shall pay to NBL Midstream (or its designee(s)) the Cash Consideration and the New Common Units (the “Dropdown Consideration”); and

(b) The IDRs shall be recapitalized and converted into the number of Common Units set forth on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Converted Common Units”).

Section 2.3 Excluded Liabilities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree that any Liability arising from or related to (a) the Excluded Assets, (b) death or personal injury related to or arising out of NBL Holdings’ or any of its Affiliates’ ownership of the NBL Holdings Assets prior to the Closing, (c) NBL Holdings’, any of its Affiliates’ or any of its or their respective representatives’ actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct, (d)(i) NBL Holdings’ or any of its Affiliates’ employment relationship with the employees of NBL Holdings or its Affiliates prior to the Closing, (ii) NBL Holdings’ or any of its Affiliates’ employee benefit plans applicable to such employees, and (iii) NBL Holdings’ or any of its Affiliates’ responsibilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, applicable to such employees, (e) the environmental matters set forth on Schedule 4.9 hereto, (f) fines or penalties arising from violations of Environmental Laws by NBL Holdings or any of its Affiliates that occurred prior to the Closing in respect of the NBL Holdings Assets, (g) any contamination or condition that is the result of any offsite disposal of any Hazardous Materials transported or arranged to be transported by NBL Holdings or any of its Affiliates from the NBL Holdings Assets prior to the Closing, or (h) any indebtedness of NBL Holdings or its Affiliates as of the Effective Time (collectively, the “Excluded Liabilities”) is being retained by NBL Midstream.

Section 2.4 Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the contribution of the NBL Holdings Interest is not intended to include (a) any asset

 

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that is not a NBL Holdings Asset, and (b) the assets specifically set forth on Exhibit E. The assets set forth in (a) and (b) of this Section 2.4 are excepted, reserved, and excluded from the Transaction (collectively, the “Excluded Assets”).

Section 2.5 Transaction Taxes. The Parties do not anticipate that any sales, use, transfer, filing, registration, business, occupation and similar Taxes (other than Taxes based on income) (“Transaction Taxes”) will arise out of or in connection with or attributable to the Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Transaction Taxes arise out of or in connection with or attributable to the Transaction, such Transaction Taxes shall be borne 50% by NBL Midstream and 50% by the Partnership Parties. To the extent under applicable law the transferee is responsible for filing Tax Returns in respect of Transaction Taxes, the Partnership shall prepare and file all such Tax Returns. The Parties shall provide such certificates and other information and otherwise cooperate to the extent reasonably required to minimize Transaction Taxes. The Party that is not responsible under applicable law for paying the Transaction Taxes shall pay its share of the Transaction Taxes to the responsible Party prior to the due date of such Taxes.

Section 2.6 Conveyances of any Excluded Assets. If any of the Excluded Assets, including any responsibilities, coverages, and liabilities under any Permit included in the Excluded Assets, are owned by NBL Holdings as of the Closing Date, NBL Holdings and NBL Midstream agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer to NBL Midstream, in accordance with this Article II, all right, title and interest to such Excluded Assets; provided that such commercially reasonable efforts shall not include any requirement to offer or grant financial accommodations to any third party or to remain secondarily liable with respect to such items. If, subsequent to the Closing Date, any Consents are required in order to transfer any Excluded Assets to NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings shall cooperate with NBL Midstream in such manner as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith, including active participation in visits to and meetings, discussions and negotiations with all Persons with the authority to grant or withhold Consent. During the period before such Consent is obtained or such transfer consummated, NBL Holdings shall provide operating services with respect to such Excluded Assets, and in such instance, NBL Holdings and NBL Midstream will use their commercially reasonable efforts to take such actions as may be possible without violation or breach of any such nonassignable items to effectively grant NBL Midstream the economic benefits of, and impose upon NBL Midstream the economic burdens of, such items. The Parties shall convey and transfer, to the extent reasonably practicable, any such Excluded Assets to which this Section 2.6 applies upon the receipt of the required Consents in the same fashion and manner as required by this Article II for the NBL Holdings Assets actually conveyed and transferred as of the Closing Date.

Section 2.7 Partnership Agreement. Concurrently with the conversion of the IDRs, the General Partner shall execute, deliver and adopt the Revised Partnership Agreement. Immediately upon execution of the Revised Partnership Agreement and the conversion of the IDRs into the Converted Common Units, the IDRs shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist (the “IDR Recapitalization”).

 

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ARTICLE III

CLOSING

Section 3.1 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, the closing (the “Closing”) of the Transaction will be held at the offices of Vinson & Elkins LLP, 1001 Fannin St., Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002 at 9:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time on the date of this Agreement following delivery by the Parties of the closing deliverables set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 and electronic exchange of signature pages by the Parties (the “Closing Date”). The Closing will be deemed effective as of the Effective Time, and the Drop-Down and the IDR Recapitalization shall occur simultaneously upon the Effective Time.

Section 3.2 Deliveries by NBL Midstream. At the Closing, NBL Midstream will deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following:

(a) a counterpart to the Assignment Agreement, duly executed by NBL Midstream;

(b) a counterpart to the East Pony Assignment Agreement, duly executed by Noble; and

(c) a duly executed Internal Revenue Form W-9 of Noble.

Section 3.3 Deliveries by the Partnership Parties.

(a) At the Closing, the Partnership Parties will deliver (or cause to be delivered) to NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees) the following:

(i) a counterpart to the Assignment Agreement, duly executed by the Partnership Parties;

(ii) a counterpart to the East Pony Assignment Agreement, duly executed by NBL Midstream; and

(iii) an executed copy of the Revised Partnership Agreement.

(b) At the closing of the Offering, or November 27, 2019, if the Offering has not priced by such date, the Partnership Parties will deliver (or cause to be delivered) to NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees) the following:

(i) $420,000,000, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees);

(ii) the Offering Proceeds, if any, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees);

(iii) the New Common Units; and

 

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(iv) the Converted Common Units.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NOBLE AND NBL MIDSTREAM

NBL Midstream and, only with respect to Section 4.6 and Section 4.19, Noble hereby represent and warrant to the Partnership Parties that, as of the Closing:

Section 4.1 Organization and Existence. Each of NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings and CWPC has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company and is in good standing under the laws of its state of formation, with full limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as and where such properties are owned, leased and operated and such business is conducted as of the date of this Agreement. Each of NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings and CWPC is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.2 Authority and Approval; Enforceability. Each of NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings has the limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it. The execution and delivery by NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, the performance by it of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it and the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite limited liability company action of NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings, respectively. Each of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings is or will be a party constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery by NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings, the valid and binding obligation of NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings, enforceable against NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 4.3 No Conflict. Each of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings is or will be a party and the execution and delivery hereof and thereof by NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings do not, and the fulfillment and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:

(a) conflict with any of the provisions of the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement of NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC;

 

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(b) conflict with any provision of any law or administrative regulation or any judicial, administrative, or arbitration order, award, judgment, writ, injunction, or decree applicable to NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC;

(c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination, or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination, or cancellation of, any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license, concession, permit, lease, joint venture, or other instrument to which NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of the Subject Interests are subject;

(d) result in the creation of, or afford any Person the right to obtain, any Lien on the Subject Interests under any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license, concession, permit, lease, joint venture, or other instrument to which NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of the Subject Interests are subject; or

(e) result in the revocation, cancellation, suspension, or modification of any Consent possessed by NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC that is necessary or desirable for the ownership, lease, or operation of its properties and other assets in the conduct of its business as now conducted; except, in the case of clauses (b), (c), (d), and (e), as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.4 Consents. No consent, approval, license, permit, order, waiver, or authorization of, or registration, declaration, or filing with any Governmental Authority or other Person (each a “Consent”) is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to NBL Midstream or the Subject Interests in connection with:

(a) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; or

(b) the enforcement against NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings of their obligations hereunder and thereunder;

except, in each case, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.5 Laws and Regulations; Litigation. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of NBL Midstream, threatened claims, fines, actions, suits, demands, investigations, or proceedings or any arbitration or binding dispute resolution proceeding (collectively, “Proceedings”) to which NBL Midstream is a party or against or affecting the Subject Interests or the ownership of the Subject Interests or the IDRs that (a) question or involve the validity or enforceability of any of its obligations under this Agreement, (b) seek to prevent or delay, or seek damages in connection with, the consummation of the Transaction or (c) would individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or a material and adverse effect on the Subject Interests or the IDRs or on the Partnership as assignee of the Subject

 

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Interests. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, (x) none of NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC is the subject of any violation of or default under any law or regulation or under any order of any Governmental Authority and (y) there are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of NBL Midstream, threatened against or affecting the ownership of the Subject Interests or the IDRs, at law or in equity, by or before any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over NBL Midstream.

Section 4.6 Management Projections and Budgets. Over the course of the negotiation and review of the Transaction, Noble, NBL Midstream and representatives of certain of their respective Affiliates have provided various materials to the Conflicts Committee (including those provided to the Financial Advisor) as part of the Conflicts Committee’s review of the Transaction, the Subject Interests and the IDRs, including various presentations, budgets and financial models of the Partnership, Noble and the NBL Holdings Assets and including all updates and revisions to such materials (all such materials, collectively, the “Conflicts Committee Information”). With respect to the Conflicts Committee Information:

(a) the projections, budgets and other forward-looking information included in the Conflicts Committee Information, when considering all updates and revisions provided as a part thereof, have a reasonable basis, were prepared in good faith and are consistent with the current expectations of the management of Noble, NBL Midstream and their respective Affiliates; and

(b) to the knowledge of Noble and NBL Midstream, the Conflicts Committee Information (considering all updates and revisions provided as a part thereof) does not contain any misstatement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary to make the Conflicts Committee Information, taken as a whole and in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading.

Section 4.7 The Subject Interests.

(a) The Blanco River Interest (i) represents a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607, and 17-804 of the DRULPA).

(b) The Green River Interest (i) represents a 75% limited partner interest in Green River DevCo and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607, and 17-804 of the DRULPA).

(c) The San Juan River Interest (i) represents a 75% limited partner interest in San Juan River DevCo and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607, and 17-804 of the DRULPA).

 

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(d) The NBL Holdings Interest (i) represents 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of NBL Holdings and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.

(e) The ownership interest of CWPC owned by NBL Holdings (the “CWPC Interest”) (i) represents 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interest of CWPC and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607, and 18-804 of the DLLCA).

(f) The Subject Interests and IDRs are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right, or any similar right under any provision of local or state law applicable to the Subject Interests, the Blanco River Partnership Agreement, the Green River Partnership Agreement, the San Juan River Partnership Agreement, the NBL Holdings Organizational Documents, the Current Partnership Agreement or any contract, arrangement, or agreement to which NBL Midstream or any of its Affiliates is a party or to which it or any of their respective properties or assets is otherwise bound.

(g) NBL Midstream has good and valid record and beneficial title to the Subject Interests and the IDRs, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws), and, except as provided or created by the Blanco River Partnership Agreement, the Green River Partnership Agreement, the San Juan River Partnership Agreement, the NBL Holdings Organizational Documents, the Current Partnership Agreement, the Securities Act or applicable securities laws, the Subject Interests are free and clear of any restrictions on transfer, Taxes, or claims. There are no options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for the Subject Interests or the IDRs, or for the repurchase or redemption of the Subject Interests or the IDRs. Immediately after the Closing, the applicable Partnership Party will have good and valid record ownership and beneficial title to the applicable Subject Interests free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws).

(h) NBL Holdings has good and valid record and beneficial title to the CWPC Interest, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws), and, except as provided or created by the organizational documents of CWPC, the Securities Act or applicable securities laws, the CWPC Interest is free and clear of any restrictions on transfer, Taxes, or claims. There are no options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for the CWPC Interest, or for the repurchase or redemption of the CWPC Interest.

(i) Schedule 4.7(i) sets forth all cash distributions declared or paid on the Subject Interests since January 1, 2019.

Section 4.8 The NBL Holdings Assets.

(a) NBL Holdings is, directly or through CWPC, the owner of valid and indefeasible easement rights, leasehold, and/or fee ownership interests (including rights of way) in and to the lands on which are located any NBL Holdings Assets sufficient to enable the

 

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Partnership Parties to use or operate the NBL Holdings Assets in substantially the same manner that the NBL Holdings Assets were used and operated by NBL Holdings immediately prior to the Closing Date, in each case except as would not have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect. A true and complete list of all material Surface Contracts is set forth on Schedule 1.1(c). NBL Holdings, directly or through CWPC, has good and valid title in fee to all real property and interests in real property included in the NBL Holdings Assets purported to be owned in fee, and good and valid title to the leasehold estates in all real property and interests in real property (including rights of way) included in the NBL Holdings Assets purported to be leased or held pursuant to an easement, in each case except as would not have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect. NBL Holdings, directly or through CWPC, owns all such Surface Contracts, real property, and interests in real property free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(b), to the knowledge of Noble and NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings has, directly or through CWPC, good and marketable title to all tangible personal property included in the NBL Holdings Assets, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), other than tangible personal property owned on the date of this Agreement but subsequently sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice.

(c) Since December 31, 2018, (a) the NBL Holdings Assets have been operated only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of NBL Holdings and CWPC, as the case may be, (b) there has not been any material damage, destruction or loss with respect to the NBL Holdings Assets, and (c) none of the NBL Holdings Assets have become subject to any material obligation or liability, other than those (i) contained in approved budgets, true and complete copies of which have been delivered to the Partnership Parties or (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2018.

Section 4.9 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9 hereto, or as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect:

(a) NBL Holdings’ and CWPC’s assets, operations and business are in compliance with Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the timely application for, or possession and maintenance of and, to the extent received, compliance with, all permits, permit exemptions, licenses or similar authorizations required under all Environmental Laws;

(b) no circumstances exist with respect to NBL Holdings’ and CWPC’s assets, operations or business that give rise to an obligation by NBL Holdings, CWPC, NBL Midstream or their respective operators to investigate or remediate the presence, on-site or offsite, of Hazardous Materials under any Environmental Laws;

(c) None of NBL Midstream, NBL Holdings or CWPC have received any written communication from a Governmental Authority that remains unresolved alleging that it may be in violation of any Environmental Law or any permit, permit exemption, license or similar authorizations issued pursuant to Environmental Law;

 

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(d) NBL Holdings’ and CWPC’s assets, operations or business are not subject to any pending or, to NBL Midstream’s knowledge, threatened claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding under any Environmental Law (including designation as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA or any analogous state law);

(e) all permits, permit exemptions, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained under any Environmental Law in connection with NBL Holdings’ and CWPC’s assets, operations and business have been timely applied for or duly obtained, are valid and currently in effect, and NBL Holdings’ and CWPC’s assets, operations and business are in compliance with such received permits, permit exemptions, licenses or authorizations;

(f) there has been no Release of any Hazardous Material into the environment by NBL Holdings’ or CWPC’s assets, operations or business, except in compliance with Environmental Law; and

(g) neither NBL Holdings, CWPC nor their respective assets are the subject of any outstanding administrative or judicial order or judgment, consent agreement or arbitration award from a Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law that requires remediation or the payment of a fine or penalty.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IV to the contrary, this Section 4.9 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of NBL Midstream with respect to matters arising under Environmental Law, including Hazardous Materials.

Section 4.10 Outstanding Capital Commitments. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding capital commitments or other expenditure commitments that are binding on NBL Holdings, CWPC or the NBL Holdings Assets and which NBL Holdings or CWPC reasonably anticipates will individually or in the aggregate require expenditures by the owner of the NBL Holdings Assets after the Closing Date and until January 1, 2020 in excess of $600,000.00 other than those shown on Schedule 4.10.

Section 4.11 Permits. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.11:

(a) NBL Holdings and CWPC collectively hold or have a valid right to use all material Permits that are necessary for the conduct of the ownership and operation of the NBL Holdings Assets, each in compliance with applicable laws and regulations of applicable Governmental Authorities. NBL Holdings, CWPC and their respective Affiliates have complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions of such Permits.

(b) No Permits that are material to the operation of the NBL Holdings Assets will be subject to suspension, modification, revocation or nonrenewal as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transaction.

Section 4.12 Contracts. Schedule 4.12 contains a true and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all Material Contracts. Neither NBL Holdings nor CWPC is in default, and there is no event or circumstance that with notice, or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of default by NBL Holdings or CWPC, under the terms of any Material Contract. All of the

 

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Material Contracts are in full force and effect, and to NBL Midstream’s knowledge, no counterparty to any Material Contract is in default under the terms of such Material Contract.

Section 4.13 Insurance. Schedule 4.13 lists all material insurance policies separately maintained by (or on behalf of) NBL Holdings with respect to the Subject Interests or the NBL Holdings Assets.

Section 4.14 Employees. NBL Holdings and CWPC have no employees and do not sponsor or maintain any “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Section 4.15 Brokerage Arrangements. Neither NBL Midstream nor any of its Affiliates has entered, directly or indirectly, into any agreement with any Person that would obligate any Group Member to pay any commission, brokerage or “finder’s fee” or other fee in connection with this Agreement or the Transaction.

Section 4.16 No Preferential Rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16, none of the Subject Interests or the NBL Holdings Assets are subject to any right or agreement that enables any Person to purchase or acquire, including by way of a right of first refusal, right of first offer, or similar right, the Subject Interests, NBL Holdings Assets or any portion of or interest in the Subject Interests or NBL Holdings Assets as a result of or in connection with (a) the contribution, assignment, or other transfer of the Subject Interests, (b) the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or (c) the consummation of the Transaction.

Section 4.17 Accredited Investor. NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units or Converted Common Units) is an “accredited investor,” as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act, and will acquire the New Common Units and Converted Common Units for its own account and not with a view to a sale or distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, any applicable state blue sky laws, or any other applicable securities laws. NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units or Converted Common Units) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the New Common Units to be acquired hereby. NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units or Converted Common Units) acknowledges that the New Common Units and Converted Common Units have not been registered under applicable federal and state securities laws and that the New Common Units and Converted Common Units may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, or other disposition is registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or is made pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state securities laws.

Section 4.18 Taxes. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.18 hereto, or as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, (i) all Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to the NBL Holdings Assets have been filed on a timely basis (taking into account all extensions of due dates); (ii) all Taxes owed with respect to the NBL Holdings Assets, which are or have become due, have been timely paid in all material respects; (iii) there are no Liens on any of the NBL Holdings Assets that arose in

 

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connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax on the NBL Holdings Assets other than Permitted Liens; and (iv) there is no pending action, proceeding or investigation for assessment or collection of Taxes and no Tax assessment, deficiency or adjustment has been asserted or proposed in writing with respect to the NBL Holdings Assets. Each of NBL Midstream and NBL Holdings is properly disregarded as an entity separate from Noble for United States federal income tax purposes, and none of the NBL Holdings Assets (A) are treated as an interest in a partnership or as an interest in any corporation or any other entity for United States federal income tax purposes or (B) are subject to any operating agreement, arrangement or other agreement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

Section 4.19 No Other Representations or Warranties; Independent Investigation.

(a) Except for the representations and warranties made in this Article IV, NBL Midstream makes no other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Subject Interests or the Transaction and disclaims any other representations or warranties.

(b) Noble and NBL Midstream acknowledge that in making the decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Transaction, they have relied solely on their own independent investigation of the New Common Units and Converted Common Units and upon the express written representations, warranties, and covenants of the Partnership Parties in this Agreement. Without diminishing the scope of the express written representations, warranties, and covenants of the Partnership Parties in this Agreement and without affecting or impairing its right to rely thereon, NOBLE AND NBL MIDSTREAM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES HAVE NOT MADE, AND THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM AND NEGATE, ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE NEW COMMON UNITS AND CONVERTED COMMON UNITS (INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS).

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES

The Partnership Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to NBL Midstream that, as of the Closing:

Section 5.1 Organization and Existence. Each Partnership Party has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full limited liability company power or limited partnership power, as the case may be, and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as and where such properties are owned, leased and operated and such business is conducted as of the date of this Agreement. Each Partnership Party is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.2 Authority and Approval; Enforceability. Each Partnership Party has the limited liability company power or limited partnership power, as the case may be, and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it. The execution and delivery by each Partnership Party of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, the performance by it of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it and the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, action of such Partnership Party. Each of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which each Partnership Party is or will be a party constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery by such Partnership Party, the valid and binding obligation of such Partnership Party, enforceable against such Partnership Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).

Section 5.3 No Conflict. Each of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which each Partnership Party is or will be a party and the execution and delivery hereof and thereof by such Partnership Party do not, and the fulfillment and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:

(a) conflict with any of the provisions of the certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, or other organizational document of such Partnership Party;

(b) conflict with any provision of any law or administrative regulation or any judicial, administrative, or arbitration order, award, judgment, writ, injunction, or decree applicable to such Partnership Party;

(c) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination, or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination, or cancellation of, any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license, concession, permit, lease, joint venture, or other instrument to which such Partnership Party is a party or by which it is bound; or

(d) result in the revocation, cancellation, suspension or modification of any Consent possessed by such Partnership Party that is necessary or desirable for the ownership, lease or operation of its properties and other assets in the conduct of its business as now conducted; except, in the case of clauses (b), (c), and (d), as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.4 Consents. No Consent is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to any Partnership Party in connection with:

 

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(a) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions contemplated thereby; or

(b) the enforcement against such Partnership Party of its obligations hereunder and thereunder;

except, in each case, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.5 Laws and Regulations; Litigation. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened Proceedings to which any Partnership Party is a party that (a) question or involve the validity or enforceability of any of its obligations under this Agreement, (b) seek to prevent or delay, or seek damages in connection with, the consummation of the Transaction or (c) would individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect, no Partnership Party is the subject of any violation of or default under any law or regulation or under any order of any Governmental Authority.

Section 5.6 Delivery of Fairness Opinion. The Financial Advisor has delivered an opinion to the Conflicts Committee that the Total Consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and to the Public Unitholders.

Section 5.7 Issuance of New Common Units and Converted Common Units. The New Common Units and the Converted Common Units issued by the Partnership under this Agreement, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized for issuance in accordance with this Agreement and the Current Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Current Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the DRULPA).

Section 5.8 Common Units Listed. The New Common Units and the Converted Common Units have been approved for listing on The New York Stock Exchange upon official notice of issuance.

Section 5.9 Brokerage Arrangements. None of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates has entered, directly or indirectly, into any agreement with any person, firm or corporation that would obligate NBL Midstream or its Affiliates to pay any commission, brokerage or “finder’s fee” or other fee in connection with this Agreement or the Transaction.

Section 5.10 No Other Representations or Warranties; Independent Investigation.

(a) Except for the representations and warranties made in this Article V, the Partnership Parties make no other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Transaction and disclaim any other representations or warranties.

 

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(b) Each of the Partnership Parties acknowledges that in making the decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Transaction, it has relied solely on its own independent investigation of Subject Interests and upon the express written representations, warranties, and covenants of NBL Midstream in this Agreement. Without diminishing the scope of the express written representations, warranties, and covenants of NBL Midstream in this Agreement and without affecting or impairing their right to rely thereon, EACH OF THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES THAT NBL MIDSTREAM HAS NOT MADE, AND NBL MIDSTREAM HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES, ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE SUBJECT INTERESTS (INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS).

ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 6.1 Further Assurances. On and after the Closing Date, the Parties shall cooperate and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all appropriate actions and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or appropriate to make effective the Transaction, the execution of any additional assignment or similar documents or instruments of transfer of any kind as it relates to the exclusion of the Excluded Assets or otherwise, the obtaining of Consents that may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out any of the provisions hereof and the taking of all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from to time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Transaction.

Section 6.2 Tax Covenants.

(a) The Parties agree that the income related to the Subject Interests (including the NBL Holdings Assets) and IDRs for the period up to and including the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal (and applicable state) income Tax Return of Noble and that Noble shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income. The Parties further agree that the income related to the Subject Interests for the period after the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal (and applicable state) income Tax Return of the Partnership and that the partners of the Partnership shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income. NBL Midstream shall be liable for, and shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Parties from any liability for, all other Taxes imposed on or incurred by or with respect to the NBL Holdings Assets attributable to any taxable period or portion thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date (such amount to be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire applicable taxable period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire taxable period).

(b) The Parties shall cooperate fully, and cause their Affiliates to cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 6.2, requests for the provision of any information or documentation within the

 

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knowledge or possession of the other Party as reasonably necessary to facilitate compliance with financial reporting obligations arising under ASC 740 (formerly FASB Statement No. 109) (including compliance with FIN 48) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and any audit, litigation or other proceeding (each a “Tax Proceeding”) with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include access to, the retention and (upon the other Party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any Tax Return or Tax Proceeding, and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The Partnership and NBL Midstream will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Subject Interests and IDRs relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the later of six years after the Closing Date or the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations of the respective taxable periods (including any extensions thereof), and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Governmental Authority. The Partnership and NBL Midstream each agree, upon request, to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed with respect to the Transaction.

(c) To the extent an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), is not already in effect for each of Blanco River DevCo, Green River DevCo, and San Juan River DevCo, the Parties shall provide all necessary consents (and evidence thereof) to cause the election provided by Code Section 754 in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.754-1(b) to be made effective for the taxable period of each of Blanco River DevCo, Green River DevCo and San Juan River DevCo that includes the Closing Date.

(d) The Parties will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon an allocation of the Cash Consideration to the Subject Interests and further among the assets of Blanco River DevCo, Green River DevCo, San Juan River DevCo and NBL Holdings for U.S. federal income tax purposes in compliance with the principles of Section 1060 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and Treasury Regulation Section 1.755-1, as applicable.

(e) The Parties acknowledge and agree that for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Drop-Down will (i) with respect to NBL Holdings qualify in part for nonrecognition of gain or loss pursuant to Section 721(a) of the Code and will be characterized in part as a disguised sale transaction described in Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code and its implementing Treasury Regulations with respect to any portion of the Drop-Down Consideration being treated as a transfer of consideration pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-3(a)(1) and (ii) with respect to the DevCos, the contribution of each DevCo will be treated as an assets-over merger under Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c) and the Parties will make the election under Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4) to treat the cash portion of the consideration attributable to each DevCo as cash paid by the Partnership to Noble for the purchase of a portion of Noble’s interests in each DevCo. The Parties acknowledge and agree that for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, the IDR Recapitalization shall be treated as a recapitalization of the interests among existing partners of a partnership not involving a sale or exchange. As a result, (i) no taxable gain or loss will be recognized by the Partnership and (ii) in the case of the existing Public Unitholders owning Common Units, taxable gain will be reported only to the extent such Public Unitholder’s share of the Partnership’s liabilities under Section 752 of the Code is decreased by an amount that

 

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is greater than such Public Unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its Common Units. Each Party shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, file all Tax Returns and other reports consistent with such intended Tax treatment of the Drop-Down and the IDR Recapitalization, unless required by applicable law to do otherwise.

Section 6.3 Post-Closing Distributions. The Parties acknowledge that NBL Midstream is assigning to the Partnership all of NBL Midstream’s right, title, and interest in the Blanco River Interest, the Green River Interest, the San Juan River Interest and the NBL Holdings Interest and that, notwithstanding anything in the Blanco River Partnership Agreement, the Green River Partnership Agreement, the San Juan River Partnership Agreement, the NBL Holdings Organizational Documents or herein to the contrary, the Partnership is entitled to any distributions by or payments from Blanco River DevCo, Green River DevCo, San Juan River DevCo or NBL Holdings (or any predecessor holders of such Subject Interests) in respect of such Subject Interests made on or after the Closing Date. NBL Midstream covenants and agrees that, should NBL Midstream or its Affiliates receive any distribution or payment in respect of the Blanco River Interest, the Green River Interest, the San Juan River Interest or the NBL Holdings Interest from Blanco River DevCo, Green River DevCo, San Juan River DevCo, or NBL Holdings (or any predecessor holder of such Subject Interests) on or after the Closing Date, whether pursuant to the terms of the Blanco River Partnership Agreement, the Green River Partnership Agreement, the San Juan River Partnership Agreement, the NBL Holdings Organizational Documents, or otherwise, NBL Midstream shall promptly remit such amounts to the Partnership.

Section 6.4 Offering. The Partnership shall take commercially reasonable efforts to offer and sell Common Units in the Offering. If the Offering is not priced by November 27, 2019, the Offering Proceeds shall be deemed to equal $0 for all purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1 Indemnification of NBL Midstream. Solely for the purpose of indemnification in this Section 7.1, the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties in this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made without regard to any materiality or Partnership Material Adverse Effect or knowledge qualifiers. From and after the Closing Date, subject to the other provisions of this Article VII, the Partnership Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold NBL Midstream, Noble and their Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives (together with NBL Midstream and Noble, the “NBL Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any and all damages (including exemplary damages and penalties), losses, deficiencies, costs, expenses, obligations, fines, expenditures, claims, and liabilities, including reasonable counsel fees and reasonable expenses of investigation, defending and prosecuting litigation (collectively, the “Damages”), suffered by the NBL Indemnitees as a result of, caused by, arising out of, or in any way relating to (a) any breach of a representation or warranty of the Partnership Parties contained in this Agreement or (b) any breach of any agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement on the part of the Partnership Parties.

Section 7.2 Indemnification of the Partnership Parties. Solely for the purpose of indemnification in this Section 7.2, the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream and, only with respect to Section 4.6 and Section 4.19, Noble in this Agreement shall be deemed to

 

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have been made without regard to any materiality or Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or knowledge qualifiers. From and after the Closing Date, subject to the other provisions of this Article VII, NBL Midstream and, only with respect to Section 4.6 and Section 4.19, Noble shall indemnify and hold the Partnership Parties and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives, and the directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives of the General Partner (together with the Partnership Parties, the “Partnership Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any and all Damages suffered by the Partnership Indemnitees as a result of, caused by, arising out of, or in any way relating to (a) any breach of a representation or warranty of NBL Midstream or Noble contained in this Agreement, (b) any breach of any agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement on the part of NBL Midstream, or (c) any of the Excluded Liabilities.

Section 7.3 Demands. Each indemnified party agrees that promptly upon its discovery of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnity under the provisions of this Agreement, including receipt by it of notice of any demand, assertion, claim, action, or proceeding, judicial or otherwise, by any third party (such third party actions being collectively referred to herein as the “Indemnity Claim”), with respect to any matter as to which it claims to be entitled to indemnity under the provisions of this Agreement, it will give prompt notice thereof in writing to the indemnifying party, together with a statement of such information respecting any of the foregoing as it shall have. Such notice shall include a formal demand for indemnification under this Agreement. The indemnifying party shall not be obligated to indemnify the indemnified party with respect to any Indemnity Claim if the indemnified party knowingly failed to notify the indemnifying party thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement to the extent that knowing failure to notify actually results in material prejudice or damage to the indemnifying party.

Section 7.4 Right to Contest and Defend.

(a) The indemnifying party shall be entitled at its cost and expense to contest and defend by all appropriate legal proceedings any Indemnity Claim with respect to which it is called upon to indemnify the indemnified party under the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that notice of the intention to so contest shall be delivered by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party within 20 days from the date of receipt by the indemnifying party of notice by the indemnified party of the assertion of the Indemnity Claim. Any such contest may be conducted in the name and on behalf of the indemnifying party or the indemnified party as may be appropriate. Such contest shall be conducted and prosecuted diligently to a final conclusion or settled in accordance with this Section 7.4(a) by reputable counsel employed by the indemnifying party and not reasonably objected to by the indemnified party, but the indemnified party shall have the right but not the obligation to participate in such proceedings and to be represented by counsel of its own choosing at its sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall have full authority to determine all action to be taken with respect thereto; provided, however, that the indemnifying party will not have the authority to subject the indemnified party to any obligation whatsoever, other than the performance of purely ministerial tasks or obligations not involving material expense. If the indemnifying party does not elect to contest any such Indemnity Claim or elects to contest such Indemnity Claim but fails diligently and promptly to prosecute or settle such claim, the indemnifying party shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by the indemnified party. If the indemnifying party shall have assumed the defense of an Indemnity Claim, the indemnified party shall agree to any settlement, compromise or discharge of an

 

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Indemnity Claim that the indemnifying party may recommend and that by its terms obligates the indemnifying party to pay the full amount of the liability in connection with such Indemnity Claim, which releases the indemnified party completely in connection with such Indemnity Claim and which would not otherwise adversely affect the indemnified party.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Indemnity Claim (and shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the indemnified party in defending such Indemnity Claim) if the Indemnity Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the indemnified party which the indemnified party reasonably determines, after conferring with its outside counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the Indemnity Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.

Section 7.5 Cooperation. If requested by the indemnifying party, the indemnified party agrees to cooperate with the indemnifying party and its counsel in contesting any Indemnity Claim that the indemnifying party elects to contest or, if appropriate, in making any counterclaim against the third party asserting the Indemnity Claim, or any cross-complaint against any third party, and the indemnifying party will reimburse the indemnified party for any expenses incurred by it in so cooperating. At no cost or expense to the indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall cooperate with the indemnified party and its counsel in contesting any Indemnity Claim.

Section 7.6 Right to Participate. The indemnified party agrees to afford the indemnifying party and its counsel the opportunity to be present at, and to participate in, conferences with all persons, including Governmental Authorities, asserting any Indemnity Claim against the indemnified party or conferences with representatives of or counsel for such persons.

Section 7.7 Payment of Damages. The indemnification required hereunder shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, within 10 days as and when reasonably specific bills are received or loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense is incurred and reasonable evidence thereof is delivered. In calculating any amount to be paid by an indemnifying party by reason of the provisions of this Agreement, the amount shall be reduced by all reimbursements (including insurance proceeds) credited to or received by the indemnified party related to the Damages. The Parties agree that any payment for indemnification of Damages made hereunder will be treated as an adjustment to the Drop-Down Consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 7.8 Limitations on Indemnification.

(a) To the extent the Partnership Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages pursuant to Section 7.2(a) (but not including Damages for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations), NBL Midstream and Noble shall not be liable for those Damages unless (i) the individual Indemnity Claim or series of related Indemnity Claims is for Damages in excess of $100,000 (“De Minimis Claims”); and (ii) the aggregate amount of Damages (that are not De Minimis Claims) exceeds $16,000,000 (the “Deductible”), and then only to the extent of any such excess; provided, however, that NBL Midstream and Noble shall not be liable for

 

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Damages pursuant to Section 7.2(a) (but not including Damages for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations) that exceed, in the aggregate, $160,000,000 (the “Cap”) less the Deductible.

(b) Notwithstanding clause (a) above, to the extent the Partnership Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages for claims arising from actual fraud or related to or arising from Taxes (including from the breach of any of the representations set forth in Section 4.18), NBL Midstream shall be fully liable for such Damages without regard to the Deductible, the Cap or the De Minimis Claims limitation. For the avoidance of doubt, NBL Midstream shall be fully liable for Damages pursuant to Section 7.2(b) or Section 7.2(c) and for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations without regard to the De Minimis Claims limitation, the Deductible or the Cap.

(c) To the extent the NBL Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Partnership Parties shall not be liable for those Damages unless the aggregate amount of Damages exceeds, in the aggregate, the Deductible, and then only to the extent of any such excess; provided, however, that the Partnership Parties shall not be liable for Damages that exceed, in the aggregate, the Cap less the Deductible.

(d) Notwithstanding clause (c) above, to the extent the NBL Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages for claims arising from actual fraud or related to or arising from Taxes, the Partnership Parties shall be fully liable for such Damages without regard to the Deductible, the Cap or the De Minimis Claims limitation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership Parties shall be fully liable for Damages pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and for breaches of Partnership Fundamental Representations without regard to the De Minimis Claims limitation , the Deductible or the Cap.

Section 7.9 Survival.

(a) The liability of NBL Midstream for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream set forth in Section 4.1, Section 4.2, Section 4.3(a) and (d), Section 4.7, Section 4.8(a) and (b), Section 4.9 and Section 4.10 (the “Sponsor Fundamental Representations”) shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written notice to NBL Midstream on or before the date that is three years after the Closing Date. The liability of NBL Midstream and Noble for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream set forth in Article IV other than the Sponsor Fundamental Representations shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written notice to NBL Midstream and Noble on or before the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date. The liability of NBL Midstream for Damages for claims related to or arising from Taxes (including the breach of any of the representations set forth in Section 4.18) shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written notice to NBL Midstream on or before the date that is 90 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Tax. The liability of NBL Midstream for Damages for claims related to or arising from the Excluded Assets shall not be limited by this Section 7.9(a).

(b) The liability of the Partnership Parties for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in Section 5.1, Section 5.2,

 

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Section 5.3(a), Section 5.9, and Section 5.10 (the “Partnership Fundamental Representations”) shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership Parties on or before the date that is three years after the Closing Date. The liability of the Partnership Parties for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in Article V other than the Partnership Fundamental Representations shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership Parties on or before the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date. The liability of the Partnership for Damages for claims related to or arising from Taxes shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership on or before the date that is 90 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Tax.

Section 7.10 Sole Remedy. After the Closing, no Party shall have liability under this Agreement or the Transaction except as is provided in this Article VII (other than claims or causes of action arising from actual fraud, and other than claims for specific performance or claims arising under any Transaction Documents (which claims shall be subject to the liability provisions of such Transaction Documents)).

Section 7.11 Express Negligence. THE INDEMNIFICATION AND ASSUMPTION PROVISIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSLY NEGOTIATED IN EVERY DETAIL, ARE INTENDED TO BE GIVEN FULL AND LITERAL EFFECT, AND SHALL BE APPLICABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS, LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES IN QUESTION ARISE OR AROSE SOLELY OR IN PART FROM THE GROSS, ACTIVE, PASSIVE, OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHER FAULT OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. THIS SECTION 7.11 IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE OR ALTER THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE SPECIFIED ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 Expenses. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall pay its own expenses incident to (a) this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and (b) all action taken in preparation for effecting the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

Section 8.2 Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment. To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale,” or “assignment” of the assets and the liabilities referenced herein.

Section 8.3 Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any notice, request, instruction, correspondence, or other document to be given under or in relation to this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if: (i) personally delivered (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) delivered by a recognized overnight delivery service (delivery fees prepaid), or (iii) sent by electronic mail with a PDF of the notice or other communication attached (provided that any such electronic mail is confirmed by written confirmation), in each case to the appropriate address set forth below:

 

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If to Noble, addressed to:

Noble Energy, Inc.

1001 Noble Energy Way

Houston, Texas 77070

Attention: Secretary

If to NBL Midstream, addressed to:

NBL Midstream LLC

1001 Noble Energy Way

Houston, Texas 77070

Attention: Secretary

If to any of the Partnership Parties, addressed to:

 

  (a)

Noble Midstream GP LLC

1001 Noble Energy Way

Houston, Texas 77070

Attention: Secretary

 

  (b)

Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of

Noble Midstream GP LLC

1001 Noble Energy Way

Houston, Texas 77070

Attention: Chairman

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Baker Botts L.L.P.

910 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Joshua Davidson

Andrew J. Ericksen

Any Party may change any address to which notice is to be given to it by giving notice as provided above of such change of address.

Section 8.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of, or relate to this Agreement or the Transaction or the negotiation, execution, termination, performance, or nonperformance of this Agreement or the Transaction (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or the Transaction or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement or the Transaction) shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might otherwise require the application of the laws of another state. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN EXPRESS

 

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RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (a) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND (b) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTY’S AGENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION.

Section 8.5 Public Statements. The Parties shall consult with each other with respect to public announcements or statements, and no Party shall issue any public announcement or statement with respect to the Transaction without the consent of the other Parties, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless the Party desiring to make such announcement or statement, after seeking such consent from the other Parties, obtains advice from legal counsel that a public announcement or statement is required by applicable law or securities exchange regulations.

Section 8.6 Form of Payment. All payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars and, unless the Parties making and receiving such payments shall agree otherwise or the provisions hereof provide otherwise, shall be made by wire or interbank transfer of immediately available funds on the date such payment is due to such account as the Party receiving payment may designate at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of payment.

Section 8.7 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the exhibits hereto, constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and are not intended to confer upon any other Person or entity any rights or remedies hereunder except as Article VII or Article VIII contemplates or except as otherwise expressly provided herein or therein. Each Party agrees that no other Party (including its agents and representatives) has made any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement to or with such Party relating to this Agreement or the Transaction, other than those expressly set forth in the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the exhibits hereto, and such Party has not relied upon any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement relating to this Agreement or the Transaction other than those referred to in clause (i) above. No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all of the Parties. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided. Any amendment or waiver of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties, and any determination, decision, approval, or consent of a Partnership Party required pursuant to this Agreement, shall be approved in advance by the Conflicts Committee.

 

36


Section 8.8 Binding Effect and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto.

Section 8.9 Severability. If any provision of the Agreement is rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted legislation or by decree of a court of last resort, the Parties shall meet promptly and negotiate substitute provisions for those rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable, but all of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and will not be affected or impaired in any way thereby.

Section 8.10 Interpretation.

(a) As used in this Agreement, unless expressly stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, (i) all references to an “Article,” “Section,” or “subsection” shall be to an Article, Section, or subsection of this Agreement; (ii) all references to an “Exhibit” shall be to an Exhibit to this Agreement, and all references to a “Schedule” shall be to the Disclosure Schedule; (iii) the words “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein,” “hereby,” or words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to a particular Article, Section, subsection, clause, or other subdivision hereof; (iv) the words used herein shall include the masculine, feminine, and neuter gender, and the singular and the plural; (v) wherever the word “include,” “includes,” or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (vi) the word “or” shall not be exclusive, unless the context in which such word appears dictates otherwise; (vii) the word “day” or “days” means a calendar day or days, unless otherwise denoted as a Business Day; (viii) if any date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by any of the Parties is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day; (ix) any reference to a law shall include any amendment thereof or any successor thereto and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (x) references herein to the “United States” mean the United States of America and its territories and possessions.

(b) The Parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore waive the application of any law, regulation, holding, or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

Section 8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including electronic, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the Party or other Person executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

37


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties to this Agreement have caused it to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

NOBLE ENERGY, INC.
By:   /s/ Aaron G. Carlson
Name:  

Aaron G. Carlson

Title:  

Vice President

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By:       Noble Midstream GP LLC, its general partner
             By:   /s/ Thomas W. Christensen
             Name:  

Thomas W. Christensen

             Title:  

Chief Financial Officer

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC
By:   /s/ Thomas W. Christensen
Name:  

Thomas W. Christensen

Title:  

Chief Financial Officer

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
By:   /s/ Thomas W. Christensen
Name:  

Thomas W. Christensen

Title:  

Chief Financial Officer

 

NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:   /s/ Aaron G. Carlson
Name:   Aaron G. Carlson
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Simplification Agreement


NBL MIDSTREAM HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   /s/ Aaron G. Carlson
Name:  

Aaron G. Carlson

Title:  

Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Simplification Agreement


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

This Interest Assignment Agreement, dated as of [•], 2019, (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and among NBL Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBL Midstream”), Noble Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Midstream Services”) and Noble Midstream Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership” and, together with NBL Midstream and Midstream Services, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, NBL Midstream, Midstream Services and the Partnership are parties to that certain Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Simplification Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2019, by and among Noble Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Noble”), the Partnership, Noble Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership, Midstream Services, NBL Midstream, and NBL Midstream Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Contribution Agreement;

WHEREAS, NBL Midstream is a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble and Midstream Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, prior to the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (the “Transaction”), NBL Midstream owns the Subject Interests; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, NBL Midstream desires to assign and transfer to the Partnership the Subject Interests in exchange for the Drop-Down Consideration, and the Partnership desires to accept such assignment of the Subject Interests, and subsequently desires to assign and transfer to Midstream Services the Subject Interests, and Midstream Services desires to accept such assignment of the Subject Interests.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Assignment and Assumption. NBL Midstream hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to the Partnership all of NBL Midstream’s right, title and interest in, under and to the Subject Interests. The Partnership hereby accepts, and takes assignment of, the Subject Interests. Subsequently, the Partnership hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to Midstream Services all of the Partnership’s right, title and interest in, under and to the Subject Interests. Midstream Services hereby accepts, and takes assignment of, the Subject Interests.

2. Further Assurances. From time to time after the date hereof, each Party agrees to promptly take such further actions and execute and deliver such additional instruments of sale,

 

A-1


transfer, assignment, conveyance and delivery, and such consents, assurances and other similar instruments as may be reasonably requested by the other Party in order to vest in the Partnership and subsequently Midstream Services (a) all right, title and interest in and to the Subject Interests and (b) all duties and obligations under the Subject Interests, and to otherwise carry out the purpose and intent of this Agreement.

3. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard for any conflict of law rules or principles that would require the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

4. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by facsimile signature, portable document format (.pdf) signature or similar electronic signature delivery, all of which shall be considered originals and taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf by a representative duly authorized as of the date first set forth above.

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By:      Noble Midstream GP LLC, its general partner
           By:     
           Name:    
      Title:    

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

[Signature Page to Interest Assignment Agreement]


EXHIBIT B

EAST PONY ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of November 12, 2019 (“Execution Date”), is made by and between Noble Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Assignor”), and NBL Midstream Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Assignee”). (Assignor and Assignee, each a “Party” and, together, the “Parties”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, Assignor shall assign to Assignee all of its right, title and interest in and to the contracts listed in Schedule 1 (“Assigned Contracts”) and Assignee has agreed to assume all of Assignor’s duties and obligations under the Assigned Contracts on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. Assignment and Assumption. Effective as of the Execution Date, Assignor hereby assigns, grants, conveys and transfers all of its right, title, and interest, and delegates all of the obligations, responsibilities, and duties arising under the Assigned Contracts to Assignee. Assignee hereby accepts such assignment and assumes all of Assignor’s duties and obligations under the Assigned Contracts and agrees to pay, perform and discharge, as and when due, all of the obligations of Assignor under the Assigned Contracts.

2. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Parties and shall be enforceable by the legal representatives, respective successors and permitted assigns of the Parties.

3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, representations and warranties and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.

4. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule.

5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, email or other means of electronic

 

B-1


transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows.]

 

B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the Execution Date.

 

Noble Energy, Inc.
By:    
Name: Aaron G. Carlson
Title:   Vice President
NBL Midstream Holdings LLC
By:    
Name: Aaron G. Carlson
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Assignment Agreement]


Schedule 1

Assigned Contracts

 

  1.

That certain Connection Agreement Noble-Keota Gas Processing Plant dated October 9, 2013, by and between Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC and Noble Energy Inc.

 

  2.

That certain Facility Construction, Ownership and Operating Agreement dated February 17, 2014, by and between Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. and Noble Energy Inc.

 

  3.

That certain Facility Construction, Ownership and Operating Agreement dated October 31, 2013, by and between Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. and Noble Energy, Inc.

 

  4.

That certain Reimbursement, Construction, Ownership, Operation, and Connection Agreement dated February 1, 2013, by and between Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC and Noble Energy Inc.

Schedule 1 to Exhibit B


EXHIBIT C

REVISED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Exhibit C


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

A Delaware Limited Partnership

Dated as of

November 14, 2019


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.1

   Definitions      1  

Section 1.2

   Construction      15  

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

     16  

Section 2.1

   Formation      16  

Section 2.2

   Name      16  

Section 2.3

   Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices      16  

Section 2.4

   Purpose and Business      16  

Section 2.5

   Powers      17  

Section 2.6

   Term      17  

Section 2.7

   Title to Partnership Property      17  

ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     18  

Section 3.1

   Limitation of Liability      18  

Section 3.2

   Management of Business      18  

Section 3.3

   Rights of Limited Partners      18  
ARTICLE IV CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS      19  

Section 4.1

   Certificates      19  

Section 4.2

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates      20  

Section 4.3

   Record Holders      20  

Section 4.4

   Transfer Generally      21  

Section 4.5

   Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests      21  

Section 4.6

   Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest      22  

Section 4.7

   Reserved      23  

Section 4.8

   Restrictions on Transfers      23  

Section 4.9

   Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders      25  

Section 4.10

   Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders      26  

ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

     27  

Section 5.1

   Incentive Distribution Rights      27  

Section 5.2

   Contributions by Limited Partners      27  

Section 5.3

   Interest and Withdrawal      27  

Section 5.4

   Capital Accounts      27  

 

i


Section 5.5

   Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests      30  

Section 5.6

   [Reserved]      31  

Section 5.7

   Limited Preemptive Right      31  

Section 5.8

   Splits and Combinations      31  

Section 5.9

   Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests      32  

ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     32  

Section 6.1

   Allocations for Capital Account Purposes      32  

Section 6.2

   Allocations for Tax Purposes      36  

Section 6.3

   Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders      37  

ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

     38  

Section 7.1

   Management      38  

Section 7.2

   Certificate of Limited Partnership      40  

Section 7.3

   Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group      40  

Section 7.4

   Reimbursement of and Other Payments to the General Partner      40  

Section 7.5

   Outside Activities      42  

Section 7.6

   Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members      43  

Section 7.7

   Indemnification      43  

Section 7.8

   Liability of Indemnitees      45  

Section 7.9

   Standards of Conduct; Resolution of Conflicts of Interest and Replacement of Duties      46  

Section 7.10

   Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Other Indemnitees      49  

Section 7.11

   Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests      49  

Section 7.12

   Registration Rights of the General Partner and Its Affiliates      49  

Section 7.13

   Reliance by Third Parties      54  

Section 7.14

   Replacement of Fiduciary Duties      54  

ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     54  

Section 8.1

   Records and Accounting      54  

Section 8.2

   Fiscal Year      55  

Section 8.3

   Reports      55  

ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS

     55  

Section 9.1

   Tax Returns and Information      55  

Section 9.2

   Tax Elections      56  

Section 9.3

   Tax Controversies      56  

 

ii


Section 9.4

   Withholding      57  

ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

     57  

Section 10.1

   Admission of Limited Partners      57  

Section 10.2

   Admission of Successor General Partner      58  

Section 10.3

   Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership      58  

ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

     58  

Section 11.1

   Withdrawal of the General Partner      58  

Section 11.2

   Removal of the General Partner      60  

Section 11.3

   Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner      60  

Section 11.4

   Withdrawal of Limited Partners      62  

ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

     62  

Section 12.1

   Dissolution      62  

Section 12.2

   Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution      62  

Section 12.3

   Liquidator      63  

Section 12.4

   Liquidation      64  

Section 12.5

   Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership      64  

Section 12.6

   Return of Contributions      64  

Section 12.7

   Waiver of Partition      65  

Section 12.8

   Capital Account Restoration      65  

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

     65  

Section 13.1

   Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner      65  

Section 13.2

   Amendment Procedures      66  

Section 13.3

   Amendment Requirements      67  

Section 13.4

   Special Meetings      68  

Section 13.5

   Notice of a Meeting      68  

Section 13.6

   Record Date      68  

Section 13.7

   Postponement and Adjournment      68  

Section 13.8

   Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting      69  

Section 13.9

   Quorum and Voting      69  

Section 13.10

   Conduct of a Meeting      70  

Section 13.11

   Action Without a Meeting      70  

Section 13.12

   Right to Vote and Related Matters      71  

ARTICLE XIV MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

     71  

Section 14.1

   Authority      71  

Section 14.2

   Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion      71  

 

iii


Section 14.3

   Approval by Limited Partners      73  

Section 14.4

   Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion      75  

Section 14.5

   Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion      75  

ARTICLE XV RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

     76  

Section 15.1

   Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests      76  

ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS

     77  

Section 16.1

   Addresses and Notices; Written Communications      77  

Section 16.2

   Further Action      78  

Section 16.3

   Binding Effect      78  

Section 16.4

   Integration      78  

Section 16.5

   Creditors      78  

Section 16.6

   Waiver      78  

Section 16.7

   Third-Party Beneficiaries      78  

Section 16.8

   Counterparts      79  

Section 16.9

   Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Attorneys’ Fee; Waiver of Trial by Jury      79  

Section 16.10

   Invalidity of Provisions      80  

Section 16.11

   Consent of Partners      80  

Section 16.12

   Facsimile and Email Signatures      80  

 

iv


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, dated as of November 14, 2019, is entered into by and between NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBL Midstream”), as a Limited Partner, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein.

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties entered into that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of September 20, 2016 (the “2016 Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Partnership has entered into a Contribution, Conveyance, Assumption and Simplification Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2019 (the “Contribution and Simplification Agreement”), among the Partnership, the General Partner, Noble Energy, Inc., Noble Midstream Services, LLC, Noble Midstream and Noble Midstream Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, NBL Midstream will contribute certain equity interests specified therein to the Partnership, in exchange for a combination of cash and Common Units;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution and Simplification Agreement, NBL Midstream and the Partnership desire to cause the General Partner to amend the 2016 Agreement in order to recapitalize and convert all of the outstanding Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the 2016 Agreement) into Common Units;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution and Simplification Agreement, the 2016 Agreement is required to be amended to reflect the conversion of the Incentive Distribution Rights; and

WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to amend and restate the 2016 Agreement in its entirety to provide for the conversion of the Incentive Distribution Rights and such other changes as the General Partner has determined are necessary and appropriate in connection with the issuance of such securities and/or do not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect.

NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner does hereby amend and restate the 2016 Agreement, pursuant to its authority under Section 13.1 of the 2016 Agreement, to provide, in its entirety, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1    Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

1


2016 Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Adjusted Capital Account” means, with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account at the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(a) Credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), including any amount that such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

(b) Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest was the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d).

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreed Allocation” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

Agreed Value” of (a) a Contributed Property means the fair market value of such Contributed Property at the time of contribution and (b) an Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event, in each case as determined by the General Partner.

Agreement” means this Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Noble Midstream Partners LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, including pursuant to any Supplemental Terms Annex.

Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest, (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20%

 

2


beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

Authorized Officers” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

Available Cash” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

(a) the sum of:

(i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter; and

(ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter; less

(b) the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to:

(i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter;

(ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; or

(iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters;

provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to subclause (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute $0.375 (subject to proportionate adjustments in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise)) on all Common Units; provided further, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

3


Board of Directors” means the board of directors or board of managers of the General Partner if the General Partner is a corporation or limited liability company, or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner if the General Partner is a limited partnership, as applicable.

Book-Tax Disparity” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.4 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles.

Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America, the State of Colorado or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.4. The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest was the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Capital Contribution” means (a) any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions) or (b) current distributions that a Partner is entitled to receive but otherwise waives.

Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 5.4(d) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

Cause” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

Certificate” means a certificate, in such form (including in global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations of The Depository Trust Company or its successors and assigns) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership and evidencing ownership of

 

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Partnership Interests. The initial form of Certificate approved by the General Partner for Common Units is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Citizenship Eligible Holder” means a Limited Partner whose nationality, citizenship or other related status the General Partner determines, upon receipt of an Eligibility Certificate or other requested information, does not or would not create under any federal, state or local law or regulation to which a Group Member is subject, a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property, including any governmental permit, endorsement or other authorization, in which a Group Member has an interest.

claim” or “claims” (for purposes of Section 7.12(g)) has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(g)(i).

Closing Date” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the IPO Underwriting Agreement

Closing Price” for any day, with respect to Limited Partner Interests of a particular class, means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the last closing bid and ask prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the average of the high bid and low ask prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and ask prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Unit” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.

Conflicts Committee” means any committee of the Board of Directors (whether designated as a “Conflicts Committee” or otherwise) composed of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than Group Members), (c) is not a holder

 

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of any ownership interest in the General Partner or its Affiliates or the Partnership Group other than (i) Common Units and (ii) awards that are granted to such director in his or her capacity as a director under any long-term incentive plan, equity compensation plan or similar plan implemented by the General Partner or the Partnership and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading (or if no such National Securities Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange).

Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d), such property or other asset shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, effective as of the Closing Date, by and among Noble, the Organizational Limited Partner, NBL Midstream, the General Partner, the Partnership and certain other Persons party thereto, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Contribution and Simplification Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Curative Allocation” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).

Current Market Price” means, as of any date for any class of Limited Partner Interests, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.

Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Departing General Partner” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2.

Derivative Partnership Interests” means any options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative securities relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

 

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Eligibility Certificate” means a certificate the General Partner may request a Limited Partner to execute as to such Limited Partner’s (or such Limited Partner’s beneficial owners’) federal income tax status or nationality, citizenship or other related status for the purpose of determining whether such Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder.

Event Issue Value” means, with respect to any Common Unit as of any date of determination, (i) in the case of a Revaluation Event that includes the issuance of Common Units pursuant to a public offering and solely for cash, the price paid for such Common Units (before deduction for any underwriters’ discounts and commissions), or (ii) in the case of any other Revaluation Event, the Closing Price of the Common Units on the date of such Revaluation Event or, if the General Partner determines that a value for the Common Unit other than such Closing Price more accurately reflects the Event Issue Value, the value determined by the General Partner.

Event of Withdrawal” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(a).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

General Partner” means Noble Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

General Partner Interest” means the non-economic management interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) and includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner Interest does not include any rights to profits or losses or any rights to receive distributions from operations or upon the liquidation or winding-up of the Partnership.

Gross Liability Value” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.

Group” means two or more Persons that have, or with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power over or disposing of any Partnership Interests.

Group Member” means a member of the Partnership Group.

Group Member Agreement” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint

 

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venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, in each case, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Holder” means any of the following:

(a) the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;

(b) any Affiliate of the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who are Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates);

(c) any Person who has been the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;

(d) any Person who has been an Affiliate of the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who were Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates); and

(e) a transferee and current Record Holder of Registrable Securities to whom the transferor of such Registrable Securities, who was a Holder at the time of such transfer, assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided, such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and provides its name and address to the Partnership promptly upon such transfer.

Incentive Distribution Right” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in the 2016 Agreement.

Indemnified Persons” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(g)(i).

Indemnitee” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of (i) any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or (ii) any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary or contractual duty or standard of care to any Group Member; provided, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s status, service or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

Ineligible Holder” means a Limited Partner who is not a Citizenship Eligible Holder or a Rate Eligible Holder.

 

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Initial Public Offering” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public (including the offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option), as described in the IPO Registration Statement.

IPO Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207560), as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Public Offering.

Liability” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.

Limited Partner” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Limited Partner Interest” means an equity interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units or other Partnership Interests (other than a General Partner Interest) or a combination thereof (but excluding Derivative Partnership Interests), and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Liquidation Date” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (d) of the third sentence of Section 12.1, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

Liquidator” means one or more Persons selected pursuant to Section 12.3 to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

Merger Agreement” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.

National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section).

NBL Midstream” has the meaning given such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Net Agreed Value” means (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such Contributed Property reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such Contributed Property is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed,

 

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reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.

Net Income” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.4 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

Net Loss” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.4 but shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

Noble” means Noble Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Noncompensatory Option” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(f).

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

Notice” means a written request from a Holder pursuant to Section 7.12 which shall (a) specify the Registrable Securities intended to be registered, offered and sold by such Holder, (b) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities and (c) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required or appropriate in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements and obligations in connection with the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 7.12.

Notice of Election to Purchase” has the meaning given such term in Section 15.1(b).

Omnibus Agreement” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, effective as of the Closing Date, among Noble, the Organizational Limited Partner, NBL Midstream, the General Partner, the Partnership and the other Persons party thereto from time to time, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

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Operational Services and Secondment Agreement” means that certain Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, effective as of the Closing Date, among Noble, the Partnership, the General Partner and the other Persons party thereto from time to time, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner or to such other person selecting such counsel or obtaining such opinion.

Organizational Limited Partner” means Noble Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Outstanding” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding in the Partnership Register as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class, all Partnership Interests owned by or for the benefit of such Person or Group shall not be entitled to be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class or group of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i), provided, that, upon or prior to such acquisition, the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partnership” means Noble Midstream Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

Partnership Group” means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Partnership Interest” means any equity interest, including any class or series of equity interest, in the Partnership, which shall include any Limited Partner Interests but shall exclude the General Partner Interest and any Derivative Partnership Interests.

Partnership Minimum Gain” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Register” means a register maintained on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner, or, if the General Partner so determines, by the Transfer Agent as part of the Transfer Agent’s books and transfer records, with respect to each class of Partnership Interests in which all Record Holders and transfers of such class of Partnership Interests are registered or otherwise recorded.

Percentage Interest” means, as of any date of determination, (a) as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units, and (b) as to the holders of other Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.5, the percentage calculated in accordance with the method established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest shall at all times be zero.

Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

Plan of Conversion” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.

Pro Rata” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, and (c) when used with respect to Holders who have requested to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or Section 7.12(b), apportioned among all such Holders in accordance with the relative number of Registrable Securities held by each such holder and included in the Notice relating to such request.

Purchase Date” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership which includes the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

Rate Eligible Holder” means a Limited Partner subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. A Limited Partner that is an entity not subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership shall be deemed a Rate Eligible Holder so long as all of the entity’s beneficial owners are subject to such taxation.

 

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Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to receive notice of, or entitled to exercise rights in respect of, any lawful action of Limited Partners (including voting) or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 13.6 of the Agreement shall not apply to any Record Date set by the General Partner for purposes of determining the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or participate in any offer.

Record Holder” means (a) with respect to any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered in the records of the Transfer Agent and in the Partnership Register as of the Partnership’s close of business on a particular Business Day or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered in the Partnership Register that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the Partnership’s close of business on a particular Business Day.

Redeemable Interests” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.

Registrable Security” means any Partnership Interest other than the General Partner Interest; provided, however, that any Registrable Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security: (a) at the time a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security is declared effective by the Commission, or otherwise becomes effective under the Securities Act, and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement; (b) at the time such Registrable Security may be disposed of without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act); (c) when such Registrable Security is held by a Group Member and (d) at the time such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under Section 7.12 have not been assigned to the transferee of such securities.

Registration Statement” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(a).

Required Allocations” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(v), Section 6.1(d)(vi), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).

Revaluation Event” means an event that results in adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.4(d).

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

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Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to the procedures in Section 7.12.

Special Approval” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee acting in good faith.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the general partner interests of such partnership is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

Supplemental Terms Annex” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.5(b).

Surviving Business Entity” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.2(b).

Tax Matters Partner” has the meaning given such term in Section 9.3(a).

Tenth Anniversary” means September 20, 2026.

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the referenced Partnership Interests of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such Partnership Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City are not legally required to be closed.

Transaction Documents” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.1(b).

transfer” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.4(a).

Transfer Agent” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading (if any); provided, however, that, if no such Person is appointed as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act as registrar and transfer agent for such class of Partnership Interests.

Treasury Regulation” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

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Underwritten Offering” means (a) an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public (other than the Initial Public Offering), (b) an offering of Partnership Interests pursuant to a Registration Statement that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks and (c) an “at-the-market” offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to the public through one or more investment banks or managers on a best efforts basis.

Unit” means a Partnership Interest that is designated by the General Partner as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units but shall not include the General Partner Interest.

Unit Majority” means a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.

Unitholders” means the Record Holders of Units.

Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.4(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.4(d) as of such date).

Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.4(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.4(d)).

Unrestricted Person” means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement from time to time.

U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(b).

Working Capital Borrowings” means borrowings incurred pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to the Partners; provided that when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within twelve months from the date of such borrowings other than from additional Working Capital Borrowings.

Section 1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement

 

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as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any construction or interpretation of this Agreement by the General Partner, any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Record Holders, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and all other Persons for all purposes.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1 Formation. The Partnership was previously formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The parties hereby amend and restate the 2016 Agreement in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties and Liabilities of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.

Section 2.2 Name. The name of the Partnership shall be “Noble Midstream Partners LP”. Subject to applicable law, the Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices. Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1001 Noble Energy Way, Houston, Texas 77070, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 1001 Noble Energy Way, Houston, Texas 77070, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.4 Purpose and Business. The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware

 

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Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve the conduct by the Partnership of any business and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve the conduct by the Partnership of any business shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

Section 2.5 Powers. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

Section 2.6 Term. The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

Section 2.7 Title to Partnership Property. Title to Partnership property, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership property or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership property may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more Affiliates of the General Partner or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership property for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more Affiliates of the General Partner or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to any successor General Partner. All Partnership property shall be

 

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recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership property is held.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability. The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.2 Management of Business. No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. No action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall be deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) nor shall any such action affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

Section 3.3 Rights of Limited Partners.

(a) Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

(i) to obtain from the General Partner either (A) the Partnership’s most recent filings with the Commission on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or (B) if the Partnership is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation under the Securities Act); provided, that the foregoing materials shall be deemed to be available to a Limited Partner in satisfaction of the requirements of this Section 3.3(a)(i) if posted on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website;

(ii) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner; and

(iii) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights to information granted the Limited Partners pursuant to Section 3.3(a) and Section 8.3 replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act, and each of the Limited Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Limited Partners, interest holders or otherwise to receive any

 

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information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section 3.3(a) and Section 8.3.

(c) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.3).

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Limited Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person or Group.

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;

REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1 Certificates. Record Holders of Partnership Interests and, where appropriate, Derivative Partnership Interests, shall be recorded in the Partnership Register and ownership of such interests shall be evidenced by a physical certificate or book entry notation in the Partnership Register. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by physical certificates. Certificates, if any, shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by any one senior officer of the General Partner (including, as applicable, the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President) and the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any other officer or officers of the General Partner as the Board of Directors may authorize to execute Certificates (collectively, the “Authorized Officers”) acting on behalf of the General Partner, and shall bear the legend set forth in Section 4.8(f). The signatures of such Authorized Officers upon a Certificate may, to the extent permitted by law, be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed upon such Certificate shall have ceased to hold the applicable office before such Certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Partnership with the same effect as if he or she were such officer at the date of its issuance. If a Transfer Agent has been appointed for a class of Partnership Interests, no Certificate for such class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that, if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. With respect to any Partnership Interests that are represented by physical

 

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certificates, the General Partner may determine that such Partnership Interests will no longer be represented by physical certificates and may, upon written notice to the holders of such Partnership Interests and subject to applicable law, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to cause such Partnership Interests to be registered in book entry or global form and may cause such physical certificates to be cancelled or deemed cancelled.

Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the Authorized Officers, acting on behalf of the General Partner, acting on behalf of the Partnership, shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.

(b) The Authorized Officers, acting on behalf of the General Partner, acting on behalf of the Partnership, shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued that is no longer available due to loss, destruction or theft, if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate at a time when the General Partner does not have actual knowledge that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct, to indemnify the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.

If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

Section 4.3 Record Holders. The names and addresses of holders of a Partnership Interest as they appear in the Partnership Register shall be the official list of Record Holders of the

 

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Partnership Interests for all purposes. The Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person or Group, regardless of whether the Partnership or the General Partner shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person or Group in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Person on the other hand, such representative Person shall be the Limited Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest upon becoming the Record Holder in accordance with Section 10.1(b) and have the rights and obligations of a Limited Partner hereunder as and to the extent provided herein, including Section 10.1(c).

Section 4.4 Transfer Generally.

(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns all or a part of such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner as a result thereof, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void, and the Partnership shall have no obligation to effect any such transfer or purported transfer.

(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or limit a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner or any Limited Partner of any or all of such Person’s shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner or such Limited Partner and the term “transfer” shall not include any such disposition.

Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

(a) The General Partner shall maintain, or cause to be maintained by the Transfer Agent in whole or in part, the Partnership Register on behalf of the Partnership.

(b) The General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are duly endorsed and surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, however, that as a condition to the issuance of any new

 

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Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of this Section 4.5(b), the Authorized Officers, acting on behalf of the General Partner, acting on behalf of the Partnership, shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered. Upon the proper surrender of a Certificate, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership Register. Notwithstanding this paragraph, if the General Partner has determined that Certificates will no longer be issued with respect to any class of Limited Partner Interests, then the General Partner shall be under no obligation to deliver replacement Certificates to a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest of such class and shall cancel the returned Certificate upon the surrender of same by the transferor and shall only be required to reflect the transfer in the Partnership Register.

(c) Upon the receipt by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent of a duly endorsed certificate or, in the case of uncertificated Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent of proper transfer instructions from the Record Holder of uncertificated Limited Partner Interests, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership Register.

(d) Except as provided in Section 4.9, by acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests pursuant to a transfer in accordance with this Article IV, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the Partnership Register and such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and (iv) shall be deemed to make the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

(e) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.8, (iv) Section 4.9, (v) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement (including any Supplemental Terms Annex) establishing such class or series, (vi) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vii) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.

(f) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units to one or more Persons.

Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest.

 

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(a) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to the Tenth Anniversary, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.

(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after the Tenth Anniversary, the General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest owned by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

Section 4.7 Reserved.

Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers.

(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(e), notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). The Partnership may issue stop transfer instructions to any Transfer Agent in order to implement any restriction on transfer contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The

 

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General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

(c) Except for Section 4.9, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(d) Each certificate or book entry evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (C) CAUSE NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED) OR (B) PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY OF THE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS IN NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES THEREOF). THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 4.9 OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO

 

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THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

Section 4.9 Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders.

(a) The General Partner may upon demand or on a regular basis require Limited Partners, and transferees of Limited Partner Interests in connection with a transfer, to execute an Eligibility Certificate or provide other information as is necessary for the General Partner to determine if any such Limited Partners or transferees are Ineligible Holders.

(b) If any Limited Partner or any transferee of Limited Partner Interests (or their respective beneficial owners) fails to furnish to the General Partner within 30 days of its request an Eligibility Certificate and other information related thereto, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or a transferee of a Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 or the General Partner may refuse to effect the transfer of the Limited Partner Interests to such transferee. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted for any Limited Partner that is an Ineligible Holder as the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Holder’s Limited Partner Interests.

(c) The General Partner shall, in exercising, or abstaining from exercising, voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, distribute the votes or abstentions in the same manner and in the same ratios as the votes of Limited Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are distributed, either casting votes for or against or abstaining as to the matter.

(d) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of its Limited Partner Interests (representing the right to receive its share of such distribution in kind).

(e) At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that it no longer is an Ineligible Holder, it may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, such Ineligible Holder upon approval of the General Partner, shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be the Limited Partner in respect of such Limited Partner Interests.

(f) If at any time a transferee of a Partnership Interest fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or any other information requested by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.9 within 30 days of such request, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that such transferee is an Ineligible

 

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Holder, the Partnership may, unless the transferee establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such transferee is not an Ineligible Holder, prohibit and void the transfer, including by placing a stop order with the Transfer Agent.

Section 4.10 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders.

(a) If at any time a Limited Partner fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or any other information requested within the period of time specified in Section 4.9, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner is not an Ineligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is not an Ineligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner as follows:

(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, at such Limited Partner’s last address designated in the Partnership Register or on the records of the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which such Limited Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

(iii) The Limited Partner or such Limited Partner’s duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or transferee at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).

(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

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(b) The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee, agent or representative of a Person determined to be an Ineligible Holder.

(c) Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the transferor provides notice of such transfer to the General Partner. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such transferee is not an Ineligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification within 30 days after the request and, in any event, before the redemption date, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1 Incentive Distribution Rights. As of the date hereof, pursuant to the Contribution and Simplification Agreement, the Incentive Distribution Rights held by the General Partner will be converted into Common Units. From the date hereof, effective immediately following the aforementioned transactions, the Incentive Distribution Rights shall no longer exist.

Section 5.2 Contributions by Limited Partners. Except for the Capital Contributions made or to required be made by or on behalf of a Person acquiring Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests in connection with future issuances in accordance with Section 5.5, no Limited Partner will be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 5.3 Interest and Withdrawal. No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

Section 5.4 Capital Accounts.

(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which the nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made by the Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain computed in

 

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accordance with Section 5.4(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made to the Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest, and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose); provided, that:

(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.4, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.

(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

(iii) The computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made (x) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership, and (y) as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(iv) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership property pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

(v) In the event the Carrying Value of Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d), any Unrealized Gain resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain, and any Unrealized Loss resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of loss.

 

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(vi) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the property’s Carrying Value as of such date.

(vii) Any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property.

(viii) The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to the Carrying Values of Partnership property. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).

(c) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a Pro Rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

(d) (i) Consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property; provided, however, that in the event of the issuance of a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option where the right to share in Partnership capital represented by such Partnership Interest differs from the consideration paid to acquire and exercise such option, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interest shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided further, that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, in the event of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option to acquire a de minimis Partnership Interest, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a Revaluation Event resulting from the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, immediately after the issuance of the Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Noncompensatory Option) shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may first determine an aggregate value for the assets of the Partnership that takes into account the current trading price of the Common Units, the fair market value of all other Partnership Interests at such time and the value of Partnership Liabilities. The

 

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General Partner may allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a Revaluation Event shall be the value that would result in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value.

(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704- 1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of a distribution other than one made pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.4(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.5 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests.

(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests (other than General Partner Interests) and Derivative Partnership Interests for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

(b) Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may, or shall be required to, redeem the Partnership Interest; (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by Certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest. The designations, powers, duties, rights and preferences of any additional class of Partnership Interests issued pursuant to this Section 5.5 may be set forth in an amendment to, or amendment and restatement of, this Agreement or in an annex to this Agreement (a “Supplemental Terms Annex”), the provisions of which shall supplement and, to the extent inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement, supersede and amend the provisions hereof. To the extent that more than one Supplemental Terms Annex is

 

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in effect at any time and the terms of such Supplemental Terms Annexes conflict with each other, then the terms set forth in the most recently adopted Supplemental Terms Annex shall control.

(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.2 or this Section 5.5, including Common Units issued in connection with the Deferred Issuance, (ii) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the Partnership Register as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (iii) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

Section 5.6 [Reserved]

Section 5.7 Limited Preemptive Right. Except as provided in this Section 5.7 or as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. Other than with respect to the issuance of Partnership Interests in connection with the Initial Public Offering, the General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Interests from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.

Section 5.8 Splits and Combinations.

(a) Subject to Section 5.8(d) (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted.

(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such distribution date to each Record Holder as of a date that is not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice (or such shorter periods as required by applicable law). The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of

 

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Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate, letter or other official medium of communication provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates or uncertificated Partnership Interests to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of Partnership Interests represented by Certificates, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.5(d) and this Section 5.8(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit, with fractional Units equal to or greater than a 0.5 Unit being rounded to the next higher Unit.

Section 5.9 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests. All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b)) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.

(a) Net Income. After giving effect to the special allocations in Section 6.1(d), Net Income for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, to the General Partner until the aggregate amount of Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate amount of Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods; and

(ii) The balance, if any, 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata.

 

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(b) Net Loss. After giving effect to the special allocations in Section 6.1(d), Net Loss for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, to the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, that Net Loss shall not be allocated to a Unitholder pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause such Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(ii) The balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(c) Reserved.

(d) Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period:

(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of gross income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of gross income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Reserved.

 

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(iv) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

(v) Gross Income Allocation. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.1(d)(iv) and this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that satisfies such requirements.

(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated first, to any Partner that contributed property to the Partnership in proportion to and to the extent of the amount by which each such Partner’s share of any Section 704(c) built-in gains exceeds such Partner’s share of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain, and second, among the Partners Pro Rata.

 

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(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership property pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.4, and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

(x) Economic Uniformity. For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (1) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (2) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (3) without the consent of any Limited Partner or any other Person, amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof) that are publicly traded as a single class. The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(d)(x) only if it determines that such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or the Partnership.

(xi) Curative Allocation.

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the General Partner shall take the Required Allocations into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.

(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required

 

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Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes.

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner; provided, that in all events the General Partner shall apply the “remedial allocation method” in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d).

(c) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

(d) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

(e) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

 

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(f) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

(g) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

(h) If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.

(a) Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on December 31, 2016, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner in accordance with each Limited Partner’s Percentage Interest. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Partnership shall not make a distribution to any Partner on account of its interest in the Partnership if such distribution would violate the Delaware Act or any other applicable law.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a) (but subject to the last sentence of Section 6.3(a)), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all cash received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as an advance of a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such

 

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payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management.

(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other Liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;

(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);

(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;

(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

 

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(vi) the distribution of cash held by the Partnership;

(vii) the selection and dismissal of officers, employees, agents, internal and outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;

(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;

(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

(xi) the indemnification of any Person against Liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);

(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Partnership Interests;

(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of any Group Member; and

(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each Record Holder and each other Person who may acquire an interest in a Partnership Interest or that is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the IPO Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) (in each case other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements thereof entered

 

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into after the date such Person becomes bound by the provisions of this Agreement); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership. The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.3(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

Section 7.3 Restrictions on the General Partners Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group. Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.

Section 7.4 Reimbursement of and Other Payments to the General Partner.

(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4, and elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Omnibus Agreement or the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or member of any Group Member.

 

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(b) Except as may be otherwise provided in the Omnibus Agreement or the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, the General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner, to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group) and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner or its Affiliates in connection with managing and operating the Partnership Group’s business and affairs (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. Any allocation of expenses to the Partnership by the General Partner in a manner consistent with its or its Affiliates’ past business practices shall be deemed to have been made in good faith.

(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of officers, employees, consultants and directors of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any officers, employees, consultants and directors pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

(d) The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon the revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment of such management fee or fees exceeds the amount of such fee or fees.

(e) The General Partner and its Affiliates may enter into an agreement to provide services to any Group Member for a fee or otherwise than for cost.

 

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Section 7.5 Outside Activities.

(a) The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or Liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement, (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member, (C) the guarantee of, and mortgage, pledge or encumbrance of any or all of its assets in connection with, any indebtedness of any Group Member or (D) the performance of its obligations under the Omnibus Agreement.

(b) Each Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to any Group Member or any Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement; provided, that such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Unrestricted Person.

(c) Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners and all other Persons bound by this Agreement, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Persons (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Unrestricted Persons shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to present business opportunities to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). No Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership, and such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement for breach of any duty by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner)

 

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pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Partnership; provided, that such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person.

(d) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units and/or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section 7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.

Section 7.6 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.

(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by such Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.

(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member), except for short-term cash management purposes.

Section 7.7 Indemnification.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of the Partnership; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in intentional fraud, willful misconduct

 

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or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than a Group Member), or to any other Indemnitee, with respect to any such Affiliate’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.7.

(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under this Agreement or any other agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators of the Indemnitee.

(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners or any other Persons who are bound by this Agreement for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in intentional fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, to the Partners or to any such other Persons who are bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to such Partners or to any such other Persons who are bound by this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

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Section 7.9 Standards of Conduct; Resolution of Conflicts of Interest and Replacement of Duties.

(a) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner causes the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless a lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement, or the determination, action or failure to act has been approved as provided in Section 7.9(b)(i) or Section 7.9(b)(ii), the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such action in good faith. Whenever the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless a lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement or the determination, action or failure to act has been approved as provided in Section 7.9(b)(i) or Section 7.9(b)(ii), the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall make such determination or take or decline to take such action in good faith. The foregoing and other lesser standards governing any determination, action or failure to act provided for in this Agreement are the sole and exclusive standards governing any such determinations, actions and failures to act of the General Partner, the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) and any Affiliate of the General Partner, and none of the General Partner, the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard (all of which duties, obligations and standards are hereby eliminated, waived and disclaimed), under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Any such determination, action or failure to act by the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner will be deemed to be in good faith unless the General Partner, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner subjectively believed such determination, action or failure to act was adverse to the interests of the Partnership. The subjective belief of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) that voted on, or provided written consent to, any determination, action or failure to act of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof) as to whether a determination, action or failure to act was adverse to the interests of the Partnership shall constitute the subjective belief of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof). In any proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement challenging such determination, action or failure to act, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or failure to act was not in good faith or such other applicable lesser standard under this Agreement.

(b) Unless a lesser standard is otherwise provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General

 

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Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other hand, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or any agreement contemplated herein or therein or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval or (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval or Unitholder approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action in respect of any such conflict of interest that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval. If the General Partner does not submit the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest as provided in either clause (i) or clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 7.9(b), then any such resolution or course of action shall be governed by Section 7.9(a). Whenever the General Partner makes a determination whether or not to refer any potential conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, whether or not to seek Unitholder approval or whether or not to adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval, then the General Partner shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and the General Partner shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard or duty imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in making such determination shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its determination, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if the Board of Directors determines that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, then it shall be presumed that, in making its determination, the Board of Directors acted in good faith. In any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership or by or on behalf of any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person bound by this Agreement challenging any action, failure to act or determination by the Conflicts Committee with respect to any matter referred to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, or challenging any determination by the Board of Directors that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption that the Conflicts Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, did not act in good faith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the conflicts of interest described in the IPO Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any such duty.

(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner causes the General Partner to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then (i) the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, is entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such

 

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action free of any duty (including any fiduciary duty) or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, (ii) the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity and (iii) the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such action shall be permitted to do so in their sole and absolute discretion. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases “at its option,” “its sole and absolute discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, they indicate that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

(d) The General Partner’s organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General Partner is a general or limited partnership.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of, or approve the sale or disposition of, any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by either the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall, in each case, be at its option.

(f) The Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and any other Person bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

(g) For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Board of Directors, any member of the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) and any member of any such committee, the officers of the General Partner or any Affiliates of the General Partner (including any Person making a determination or acting for or on behalf of such Affiliate of the General Partner) make a determination on behalf of or recommendation to the General Partner, or cause the General Partner to take or omit to take any action, whether in the General Partner’s capacity as the General Partner or in its individual capacity, the standards of care applicable to the General Partner shall apply to such Persons, and such Persons shall be entitled to all benefits and rights (but not the obligations) of the General Partner hereunder, including eliminations, waivers and modifications of duties (including any fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, any of its Partners or any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and the protections and presumptions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Other Indemnitees.

(a) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisors selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner or such Indemnitee, respectively, reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken or omitted to be taken in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership or any Group Member.

Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Article IV and Article X.

Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and Its Affiliates.

(a) Demand Registration. Upon receipt of a Notice from any Holder at any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable a registration statement under the Securities Act (each, a “Registration Statement”) providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities identified in such Notice, which may, at the option of the Holder giving such Notice, be a Registration Statement that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement and to remain effective and available for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Selling Holders named therein until the earlier of (i) six months following such Registration Statement’s effective date and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold. In the event one or more Holders request in a Notice to dispose of a number of Registrable Securities that such Holder or Holders reasonably anticipates will result in gross proceeds of at least $30 million in the aggregate pursuant to a Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall retain underwriters that are reasonably acceptable to such Selling Holders in order to permit such Selling Holders to effect such disposition through an Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that the Partnership shall

 

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have the exclusive right to select the bookrunning managers. The Partnership and such Selling Holders shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Registrable Securities therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. In the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided, such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering.

(b) Piggyback Registration. At any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, if the Partnership shall propose to file a Registration Statement (other than pursuant to a demand made pursuant to Section 7.12(a)) for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or an offering on any registration statement that does not permit secondary sales), the Partnership shall notify all Holders of such proposal at least five Business Days before the proposed filing date. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include such number of Registrable Securities held by any Holder in such Registration Statement as each Holder shall request in a Notice received by the Partnership within two Business Days of such Holder’s receipt of the notice from the Partnership. If the Registration Statement for which the Partnership gives notice under this Section 7.12(b) is for an Underwritten Offering, then any Holder’s ability to include its desired amount of Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement shall be conditioned on such Holder’s inclusion of all such Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering; provided, that, in the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. In connection with any such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership and the Selling Holders involved shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Registrable Securities therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided, such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering. The Partnership shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering initiated by it under

 

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this Section 7.12(b) prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement or the pricing date of the Underwritten Offering, as applicable.

(c) Sale Procedures. In connection with its obligations under this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall:

(i) furnish to each Selling Holder (A) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Registration Statement or supplement or amendment thereto and (B) such number of copies of such Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Partnership will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to clause (B) hereof that is available on the Commission’s website;

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

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

(iv) immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the occurrence of any event or existence of any fact (but not a description of such event or fact) as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of the prospectus contained therein, in the light of the

 

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circumstances under which a statement is made), (B) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or (C) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, subject to Section 7.12(f), the Partnership agrees to, as promptly as practicable, amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto; and

(v) enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, including the provision of comfort letters and legal opinions as are customary in such securities offerings.

(d) Suspension. Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 7.12(c)(iv), shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by such subsection, or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and receipt of copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus.

(e) Expenses. Except as set forth in an underwriting agreement for the applicable Underwritten Offering or as otherwise agreed between a Selling Holder and the Partnership, all costs and expenses of a Registration Statement filed or an Underwritten Offering that includes Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 (other than underwriting discounts and commissions on Registrable Securities and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to Selling Holders) shall be paid by the Partnership.

(f) Delay Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s compliance with its obligations in this Section 7.12 would be detrimental to the Partnership because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone compliance with such obligations for a period of not more than six months; provided, however, that such right may not be exercised more than twice in any 24 month period.

 

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(g) Indemnification.

(i) In addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(g) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus under which any Registrable Securities were registered or sold by such Selling Holder under the Securities Act, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(ii) Each Selling Holder shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, the General Partner’s officers and directors and each Person who controls the Partnership or the General Partner (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in a Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or free writing prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities held by such Selling Holder.

(iii) The provisions of this Section 7.12(g) shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that a Person entitled to indemnification under this Section 7.12(g) may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

(h) Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of Section 7.12 by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each party, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to seek an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses it may have on the

 

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ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such party from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such party may have.

Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer or representative of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer or representative as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer or representative in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or representative be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or representative. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or such officer or representative shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

Section 7.14 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that, at law or in equity, the General Partner or any other Indemnitee would have duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and replaced with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement and replacement thereof with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein are approved by the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1 Records and Accounting. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.3(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including

 

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the Partnership Register, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis, and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

Section 8.3 Reports.

(a) Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership (or such shorter period as required by the Commission), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including by posting on or making accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website), to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(b) Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 45 days after the close of each Quarter (or such shorter period as required by the Commission) except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including by posting on or making accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website), to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information. The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts

 

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to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2 Tax Elections.

(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

Section 9.3 Tax Controversies. (a) Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the “tax matters partner” (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) (the “Tax Matters Partner”) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner to conduct such proceedings. Each Partner agrees that notice of or updates regarding tax controversies shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made by the Tax Matters Partner if the Partnership has either (i) filed the information for which notice is required with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such information is publicly available on such system or (ii) made the information for which notice is required available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership, whether or not such Partner remains a Partner in the Partnership at the time such information is made publicly available.

(b) With respect to tax returns filed for taxable years beginning on or after December 31, 2017, the General Partner (or its designee) will be designated as the “partnership representative” in accordance with the rules prescribed pursuant to Section 6223 of the Code and shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of the Partnership in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. The General Partner (or its designee) shall exercise, in its sole discretion, any and all authority of the “partnership representative” under the Code, including, without limitation, (i)

 

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binding the Partnership and its Partners with respect to tax matters and (ii) determining whether to make any available election under Section 6226 of the Code. The General Partner shall amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations implementing the partnership audit, assessment and collection rules adopted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, including any amendments to those rules.

Section 9.4 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code, or established by any foreign law. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income or from a distribution to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 or Section 12.4(c) in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners.

(a) Each of the Limited Partners shall continue as a limited partner of the Partnership on the date hereof.

(b) By acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests transferred in accordance with Article IV or acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger, consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article XIV, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group, who shall be subject to Section 10.1(d) below) (i) except as provided in Section 4.9, shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or acquired, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee or acquirer has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and (iv) shall be deemed to make any consents, acknowledgements or waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and becoming the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.9.

(c) With respect to any Limited Partner that holds Units representing Limited Partner Interests for another Person’s account (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such Limited Partner shall, in exercising the rights of a Limited Partner in respect of such Units on any

 

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matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, take all action as a Limited Partner by virtue of being the Record Holder of such Units at the direction of the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Limited Partner is so acting without further inquiry.

(d) The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed in the Partnership Register maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the Partnership Register from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable).

(e) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(c).

Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner. A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to (a) the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or (b) the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6; provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor is hereby authorized to and shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the Partnership Register to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.

(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal”):

(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6;

 

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(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A) through (C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv) or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

(vi) (A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (vi)(B), (vi)(C) or (vi)(E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on the Tenth Anniversary, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on the Tenth Anniversary, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General

 

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Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2 or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not elected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner. The General Partner may not be removed unless such removal is both (i) for Cause and (ii) approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by a Unit Majority. Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.2, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

Section 11.3 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.

(a) In the event of withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement, if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1, then the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal of such Departing General Partner, to require such successor General Partner to purchase such Departing General Partner’s or its Affiliates’ economic general partner interests (or equivalent interests), if any, in the Partnership and the other Group Members (the “Combined Interest”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal

 

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to the fair market value of such economic general partner’s interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of the Departing General Partner’s withdrawal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders pursuant to Section 11.2 or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement and (i) if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, as applicable, or (ii) if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then such successor General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In any event described in the preceding sentences of this Section 11.3(a) the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.

(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

 

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(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations, if any, shall be its Percentage Interest.

Section 11.4 Withdrawal of Limited Partners. No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1 Dissolution. The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1, Section 11.2 or Section 12.2, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless (i) a successor General Partner is elected and a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or Section 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2 or (ii) the holders of a Unit Majority elect to continue the business of the Partnership and to appoint a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 12.2;

(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act;

(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act; or

(e) the conveyance of all the Partnership’s assets to another limited liability entity in accordance with Section 14.3(d).

Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution. Upon (a) an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Unitholders to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then, to the maximum extent

 

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permitted by law, within 90 days thereafter, or (b) an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the Departing General Partner, then the interest of the Departing General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;

provided, however, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Section 12.3 Liquidator. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner (or in the event of dissolution pursuant to Section 12.1(a), the holders of a Unit Majority) shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator

 

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hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

Section 12.4 Liquidation. The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its Liabilities and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

(c) Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, all property and all cash in excess of that required to satisfy Liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 12.6 Return of Contributions. The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners

 

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or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership property.

Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition. To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration. No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner. Each Limited Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect (except as permitted by subsection (g) of this Section 13.1); provided that for purposes of determining whether an amendment satisfies the requirements of this Section 13.1(d)(i), the General Partner may in its sole discretion disregard any adverse effect on any class or classes of Partnership Interests the holders of which have approved such amendment pursuant to Section 13.3(c), (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.8 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the IPO Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

(g) an amendment that (i) sets forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any class or series of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.5 or (ii) the General Partner determines to be necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with the authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.5, including such an amendment effectuated through a Supplemental Terms Annex;

(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement or a Plan of Conversion approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4 or Section 7.1(a);

(k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d) or Section 14.3(e); or

(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment to this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement shall be permitted to do so in its sole and

 

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absolute discretion. An amendment to this Agreement shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.1 or Section 13.3, the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage of Outstanding Units is required under this Agreement. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section 13.2 if it has posted or made accessible such amendment through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website.

Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of (i) in the case of any provision of this Agreement other than Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, reducing such percentage or (ii) in the case of Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, increasing such percentages, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute (x) in the case of a reduction as described in subclause (a)(i) hereof, not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced, (y) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 11.2, not less than 90% of the Outstanding Units or (z) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 13.4, not less than a majority of the Outstanding Units.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c) or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without the General Partner’s consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Limited Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(f), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.

 

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(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

Section 13.4 Special Meetings. All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called and the class or classes of Units for which the meeting is proposed. No business may be brought by any Limited Partner before such special meeting except the business listed in the related request. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send or cause to be sent a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not be permitted to vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state or jurisdiction in which the Partnership is qualified to do business. If any such vote were to take place, to the fullest extent permitted by law, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent necessary so as not to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting. Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1.

Section 13.6 Record Date. For purposes of determining the Limited Partners who are Record Holders of the class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11, the General Partner shall set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which such Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.

Section 13.7 Postponement and Adjournment. Prior to the date upon which any meeting of Limited Partners is to be held, the General Partner may postpone such meeting one or more times for any reason by giving notice to each Limited Partner entitled to vote at the meeting so postponed of the place, date and hour at which such meeting would be held. Such notice shall be given not fewer than two days before the date of such meeting and otherwise in accordance

 

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with this Article XIII. When a meeting is postponed, a new Record Date need not be fixed unless such postponement shall be for more than 45 days. Any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No Limited Partner vote shall be required for any adjournment. A meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting. The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except (i) when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and (ii) that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove of any matters submitted for consideration or to object to the failure to submit for consideration any matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting.

Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting. Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement or required by the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Partnership or its Partnership Interests, the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority in voting power of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes. Abstentions and broker non-votes in respect of such Units shall be deemed to be Units present at such meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. For all matters presented to the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units at a meeting at which a quorum is present for which no minimum or other vote of Limited Partners is required by any other provision of this Agreement, the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Partnership or its Partnership Interests, a majority of the votes cast by the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners (with abstentions and broker non-votes being deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter). On any matter where a minimum or other vote of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units is provided by any other provision of this Agreement or required by the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Partnership or its Partnership Interests, such minimum or other vote shall be the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter (with the effect of

 

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abstentions and broker non-votes to be determined based on the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter; provided that if the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes is not specified by such applicable rule, regulation or law, and there is no prevailing interpretation of such effect, then abstentions and broker non-votes shall be deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter; provided further, that, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any matter on which this Agreement requires the approval of a specified percentage of the Outstanding Units, abstentions and broker non-votes shall be counted as votes against such matter). The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the exit of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum.

Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting. The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the submission and revocation of approvals in writing.

Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting. If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Outstanding Units held by such Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Outstanding Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any permitted action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are first deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken

 

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with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and Liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters.

(a) Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

Section 14.1 Authority. The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability limited partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America or any other country, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) or a written plan of conversion (“Plan of Conversion”), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.

Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.

(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner; provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

(i) the name and state or country of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

(ii) the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity”);

(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights and (B) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, however, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and

(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

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(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:

(i) the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;

(ii) a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;

(iii) a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;

(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;

(v) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership;

(vi) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or other organizational documents of the converted entity;

(vii) the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of conversion and stated therein); and

(viii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners.

(a) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent and, subject to any applicable requirements of Regulation 14A pursuant to the Exchange Act or successor provision, no other disclosure regarding the proposed merger, consolidation or conversion shall be required.

(b) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, effects an amendment to any provision of this Agreement that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement adopted pursuant to Article XIII, would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of

 

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Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or certificate of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, Liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of limited liability under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) of any Limited Partner as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the General Partner determines that the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another limited liability entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Unit Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation and (v) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

(f) Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (i) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (ii) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the

 

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Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion. Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion or other filing, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the appropriate filing office of any other jurisdiction, as applicable, in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.

Section 14.5 Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.

(a) At the effective time of the merger or consolidation:

(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

(iv) all debts, Liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, Liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

(b) At the effective time of the conversion:

(i) the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;

(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;

(iii) all Liabilities of the Partnership shall continue to be Liabilities of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;

 

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(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those Liabilities and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;

(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior Partners without any need for substitution of parties; and

(vi) the Partnership Interests that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the Plan of Conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three Business Days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.

(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the applicable Transfer Agent or exchange agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent or exchange agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner), together with such information as may be required by law, rule or regulation, at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be filed and distributed as may be required by the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent or exchange agent as the

 

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Transfer Agent or exchange agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at such Record Holder’s address as reflected in the Partnership Register shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent or exchange agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate or redemption instructions shall not have been surrendered for purchase or provided, respectively, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent or exchange agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the Partnership Register, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the Record Holder of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).

(c) In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender such holder’s Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent or exchange agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a) therefor, without interest thereon, in accordance with procedures set forth by the General Partner.

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.

(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at such Record Holder’s address as shown in the Partnership Register, regardless of any claim of any Person who

 

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may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing in the Partnership Register is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in such Record Holder’s address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

(b) The terms “in writing,” “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of email and other forms of electronic communication.

Section 16.2 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 16.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 16.4 Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 16.5 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 16.6 Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 16.7 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with

 

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respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.

Section 16.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(b) without execution hereof.

Section 16.9 Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Attorneys Fee; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

(b) (b) (Each of the Partners and each Person or Group holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

(i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties or Liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including any fiduciary duty) owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims; provided, however, that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings over which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction shall be brought in any other court in the State of Delaware having jurisdiction;

(ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(iii) agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the courts of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

 

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(iv) expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(v) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this clause (v) shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law;

(vi) agrees that if such Partner, Person or Group does not obtain a judgment on the merits that substantially achieves, in substance and amount, the full remedy sought in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding sought by such Partner, Person or Group, then such Partner, Person or Group shall be obligated to reimburse the Partnership and its Affiliates for all fees, costs and expenses of every kind and description, including but not limited to all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation expenses, that the Partnership and its Affiliates may incur in connection with such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and

(vii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH CLAIM, SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

Section 16.10 Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement (including when read together with each Supplemental Terms Annex then in effect) is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and/or parts thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby, and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision and/or part of a provision shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 16.11 Consent of Partners. Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 16.12 Facsimile and Email Signatures. The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (.pdf) or other similar electronic format affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent on Certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

80


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Christensen

Name:  

Thomas W. Christensen

Title:  

Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of

Limited Partnership of Noble Midstream Partners LP


LIMITED PARTNER:
NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:   /s/ Aaron G. Carlson
Name:  

Aaron G. Carlson

Title:  

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of

Limited Partnership of Noble Midstream Partners LP


EXHIBIT A

to the Second Amended and Restated

Agreement of Limited Partnership of

Noble Midstream Partners LP

Certificate Evidencing Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests in

Noble Midstream Partners LP

 

No                                     Common Units

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Noble Midstream Partners LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”), Noble Midstream Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”) transferable in the records of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 1001 Noble Energy Way, Houston, Texas 77070. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (C) CAUSE NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED) OR (B) PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY OF THE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS IN NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES THEREOF). THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.

 

A-1


COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 4.9 OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement and (iii) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent. This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

Dated:                                     

 

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By:  

NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC,

its general partner

By:    
By:    

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

as a Transfer Agent

By:    
  Authorized Signature

 

A-2


[Reverse of Certificate]

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

  

UNIF GIFT TRANSFERS MIN ACT—

 

_______________ Custodian _____________

(Cust)                                (Minor)

 

under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors

Act: _________________________________

(State)

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

A-3


ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,

   hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee)

  

(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                  as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same in the records of Noble Midstream Partners LP.

 

Date: _______________________________   

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15

    
   (Signature)
     
   (Signature)

No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered in the records of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.

 

A-4


EXHIBIT D

SYSTEMS

 

Name

  

Entity

Morris Compressor Station    CWPC
McElroy Compressor Station    CWPC
Collier Compressor Station    CWPC
Christopher Columbus Crude Gathering Lines and LACTS    CWPC
Christopher Columbus Produced Water Gathering Lines    CWPC
Christopher Columbus Gas Gathering Lines    CWPC
Lilli Gas Processing Plant    Holdings
East Pony Gas Gathering System    Holdings
Keota Gas Processing Plant    Holdings
Keota LNG Plant    Holdings
Sterling Grover Connect    Holdings
Ball Ranch Pipeline    Holdings
Tampa Pipeline    Holdings
Platteville Facilities    Holdings
Misc. Tampa    Holdings
Tampa Rail Facility    Holdings
Oscar Pipeline    Holdings
Waste Management Facility    Holdings
Gutterson Ranch Facility    Holdings
Roan Storage Facility    Holdings
Grover/Lilli Pipeline    Holdings
West Pony Pipeline    Holdings
Lilli to OPPL Pipeline    Holdings
Clay Basket Pipeline    Holdings
Non-System Pipelines in Northern Colorado    Holdings
Columbus Oil Gathering Station    CWPC
Collier Oil Gathering Station    CWPC
Perry Oil Gathering Station    CWPC
Columbus Oil Gathering Station Tanks    CWPC
70 Ranch Offload Pipe    Holdings
00 Compressor Station    CWPC
Wolfbone Facility    CWPC
Colley State Produced Water Gathering System    CWPC
Colley State Oil LACT    CWPC
Clayton Williams Concho Gathering Systems (Red Cloud, Screaming Eagle)    CWPC

Exhibit D


EXHIBIT E

EXCLUDED ASSETS

 

Asset

  

State

  

County

  

Description

70 Ranch Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Larson Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

3” LF Ranch Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Cervi Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Sater Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Miscellaneous Mustang Pipeline

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

UPV            25-214
UPV            25-714
UPV            25-114
UPV            25-814
PTF            C32-9
PTF            C32-16
UPV 9-5K3

Miscellaneous Greely Crescent Pipeline

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

UPV            27-1H6

UPV 27-8H6

Aufrecht Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Johnson Rudolph Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Booth Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Domenico Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Grant Arens Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

UPV 5-5J3 Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

UPV 9-5K3 Pipeline System

  

Colorado

  

Weld

  

Vermejo Gathering Lines

  

Texas

  

Loving and Ward

  

Dewitt-Parke Gathering Line

  

Texas

  

Pecos

  

Hokit Gathering System

  

Texas

  

Pecos

  

Burns Gathering System

  

Texas

  

Frio and La Salle

  

Burns Compressor Station

  

Texas

  

Frio

  

Mentone Compressor Station

  

Texas

  

Loving

  

Luby Gasoline Plant

  

Texas

  

Nueces

  

Little Brazos Plant

  

Texas

  

Robertson

  

Nicholson Compressor Station

  

Texas

  

Frio

  

Hokit Compressor Station

  

Texas

  

Pecos

  

Mumford Plant

  

Texas

  

Robertson

  

Exhibit E-1


Asset

  

State

  

County

  

Description

Hudson-Destefano

  

Texas

  

Robertson

  

Clajon Industrial Gas Pipeline

  

Louisiana

  

Ascension Parish

  

Gataga Gathering System

  

Texas

  

Loving

  

Gataga Plant

  

Texas

  

Loving

  

Mentone Gathering System

  

Texas

  

Reeves

  

Exhibit E-2