as Issuer, and WELLS FARGOBANK, N.A., as Trustee INDENTURE Dated as of September 25, 2006 Senior Debt Securities CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Indenture Agreements
EX-4.1 3 dex41.htm INDENTURE, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2006

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Copy

 


ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P.

as Issuer,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of September 25, 2006

Senior Debt Securities

 



CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

   Indenture Section
310 (a)    7.10
       (b)    7.10
       (c)    N.A.
311 (a)    7.11
       (b)    7.11
       (c)    N.A.
312 (a)    5.01
       (b)    5.02
       (c)    5.02
313 (a)    5.03
       (b)    5.03
       (c)    5.03 & 12.03
       (d)    5.03
314 (a)    4.05
       (b)    N.A.
       (c)(1)    12.05
       (c)(2)    12.05
       (c)(3)    N.A.
       (d)    N.A.
       (e)    12.05
       (f)    N.A.
315 (a)    7.01
       (b)    6.07 & 13.03
       (c)    7.01
       (d)    7.01
       (e)    6.08
316 (a) (last sentence)    1.01
       (a)(1)(A)    6.06
       (a)(1)(B)    6.06
       (a)(2)    9.01(e)
       (b)    6.04
       (c)    5.04
317 (a)(1)    6.02
       (a)(2)    6.02
       (b)    4.04
318 (a)    12.07

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01.   Definitions   1
Section 1.02.   Other Definitions   9
Section 1.03.   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act   9
Section 1.04.   Rules of Construction   9

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01.   Forms Generally   10
Section 2.02.   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication   10
Section 2.03.   Principal Amount; Issuable in Series   10
Section 2.04.   Execution of Debt Securities   13
Section 2.05.   Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities   13
Section 2.06.   Denomination of Debt Securities   14
Section 2.07.   Registration of Transfer and Exchange   14
Section 2.08.   Temporary Debt Securities   16
Section 2.09.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities   16
Section 2.10.   Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities   17
Section 2.11.   Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders   17
Section 2.12.   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved   17
Section 2.13.   Securities Denominated in Dollars   18
Section 2.14.   Wire Transfers   18
Section 2.15.   Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security   18
Section 2.16.   Medium Term Securities   21
Section 2.17.   Defaulted Interest   21
Section 2.18.   CUSIP Numbers   22

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01.   Applicability of Article   22
Section 3.02.   Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities   22
Section 3.03.   Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption   24
Section 3.04.   Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds   24
Section 3.05.   Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund   25

 

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ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.01.   Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities   26
Section 4.02.   Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities   26
Section 4.03.   Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee   27
Section 4.04.   Duties of Paying Agents, etc.   27
Section 4.05.   Compliance Certificate   28
Section 4.06.   Payment of Additional Amounts   28
Section 4.07.   SEC Reports; Financial Statements   30
Section 4.08.   Existence   30
Section 4.09.   Waiver of Certain Covenants   31
Section 4.10.   Limitations on Liens   31
Section 4.11.   Limitations on Sale-Leaseback Transactions   33
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01.   Partnership to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information   33
Section 5.02.   Communications to Holders   34
Section 5.03.   Reports by Trustee   34
Section 5.04.   Record Dates for Action by Holders   34

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01.   Events of Default   34
Section 6.02.   Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.   37
Section 6.03.   Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee   38
Section 6.04.   Limitation on Suits by Holders   39
Section 6.05.   Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default   39
Section 6.06.   Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default   39
Section 6.07.   Trustee to Give Notice of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances   40
Section 6.08.   Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee   40

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01.   Certain Duties and Responsibilities   41
Section 7.02.   Certain Rights of Trustee   42

 

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Section 7.03.   Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities   43
Section 7.04.   Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities   43
Section 7.05.   Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust   43
Section 7.06.   Compensation and Reimbursement   43
Section 7.07.   Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed   44
Section 7.08.   Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee   44
Section 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger   46
Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification   46
Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Partnership   46
Section 7.12.   Compliance with Tax Laws   46
Section 7.13.   Administration of Trust   46

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01.   Evidence of Action by Holders   47
Section 8.02.   Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities   47
Section 8.03.   Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities   47
Section 8.04.   Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders   47

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01.   Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders   48
Section 9.02.   Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities   50
Section 9.03.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures   51
Section 9.04.   Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures   51

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01.   Consolidations and Mergers of the Partnership or any Guarantor   51
Section 10.02.   Rights and Duties of Successor Partnership and Successor Guarantor   52

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01.   Applicability of Article   53
Section 11.02.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance   53
Section 11.03.   Conditions of Defeasance   54
Section 11.04.   Application of Trust Money   55
Section 11.05.   Repayment to Partnership   55
Section 11.06.   Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations   55
Section 11.07.   Reinstatement   55

 

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ARTICLE XII

GUARANTEE OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 12.01.   Unconditional Guarantee   56
Section 12.02.   Limitation on Guarantor Liability   58
Section 12.03.   Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee   58
Section 12.04.   Release of Guarantee   59

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01.   Successors and Assigns of Partnership Bound by Indenture   59
Section 13.02.   Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Partnership Valid   59
Section 13.03.   Required Notices or Demands   59
Section 13.04.   Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York   61
Section 13.05.   Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Partnership   61
Section 13.06.   Payments Due on Legal Holidays   61
Section 13.07.   Provisions Required by TIA to Control   62
Section 13.08.   Computation of Interest on Debt Securities   62
Section 13.09.   Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar   62
Section 13.10.   Non-Recourse to the General Partner; No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Partners   62
Section 13.11.   Severability   62
Section 13.12.   Effect of Headings   62
Section 13.13.   Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts   62
Section 13.14.   Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process   62
Section 13.15.   Judgment Currency   63

 

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THIS INDENTURE dated as of September 25, 2006 is among ONEOK Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national bank with trust powers, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE PARTNERSHIP

The Partnership has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Partnership’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called “Debt Securities”), as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Partnership, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, the Partnership and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Attributable Indebtedness” means with respect to a Sale-Leaseback Transaction involving any Property, as of the time of determination, the least of (i) the fair market value of such Property (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors); (ii) the present value of the total Net Amount of Rent required to be paid under the lease involved in such Sale-Leaseback Transaction during the remaining term thereof (including any renewal term exercisable at the lessee’s option or period for which the lease has been extended), discounted at the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease, compounded semiannually; and (iii) if the obligation with respect to such Sale-Leaseback Transaction constitutes an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a Capital Lease Obligation for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, the amount equal to the capitalized amount of such obligation required to be paid by the lessee as determined in accordance with GAAP and included in the financial statements of the lessee.


“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the General Partner or, if the General Partner does not have a board of directors, then the group or person serving in the same or similar decision making capacity.

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

“Capital Interests” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of such Person, including, without limitation, with respect to partnerships, partnership interests (whether general or limited), and with respect to limited liability companies, member interests and any other interest or participation that confers on the holder thereof the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such Person.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in the most recent quarterly or annual balance sheet of the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after deducting the following amounts: (i) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, provided, however, that there shall not be deducted billings recorded as revenues deferred pending the outcome of rate proceedings (less applicable income taxes thereon), if and to the extent the obligation to refund the same shall not have been finally determined; (ii) appropriate allowance for minority interests in Capital Interests of Subsidiaries; and (iii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequester or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” means obligations for money borrowed, evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of borrowed money.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

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

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Partnership pursuant to either Section 2.03 or Section 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

 

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“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

“Funded Debt” means all Debt maturing one year or more from the date of the incurrence, creation, assumption or guarantee thereof, all Debt directly or indirectly renewable or extendable, at the option of the debtor, by its terms or by the terms of any instrument or agreement relating thereto, to a date one year or more from the date of the incurrence, creation, assumption or guarantee thereof, and all Debt under a revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a period of one year or more.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and such other statements by such other entities as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States of America, which are applicable at the date of determination.

“General Partner” means ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereto.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Partnership and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“Government Contract Lien” means any Lien in favor of the United States of America or any state, territory, county, city, municipality or other possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof (or the District of Columbia) to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any

 

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contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing, developing or improving the property subject to such Liens.

“guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof or pledging assets to secure), of all or any part of any Debt.

“Guarantor” means (i) each Subsidiary of the Partnership that becomes a guarantor of any series of the Debt Securities pursuant to Article XII and (ii) any Subsidiary of the Partnership that is a successor to any Subsidiary of the Partnership referred to in clause (i). The term “Guarantor” shall not include any Subsidiary of the Partnership that shall have been released from its obligations pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

“Lien” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest securing Debt; provided, however, that the following types of transactions will not be considered for purposes of this definition to result in a Lien: (i) any acquisition by the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary of any property or assets subject to any reservation or exception under the terms of which any vendor, lessor or assignor creates, reserves or excepts or has created, reserved or excepted an interest in oil, gas or any other mineral in place or the proceeds thereof, (ii) any conveyance or assignment whereby the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary conveys or assigns to any Person or Persons an interest in oil, gas or any other mineral in place or the proceeds thereof, (iii) any Lien upon any property or assets either owned or leased by the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary or in which the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary owns an interest that secures for the benefit of the Person or Persons paying the expenses of developing or conducting operations for the recovery, storage, transportation or sale of the mineral resources of such property or assets (or property or assets with which it is unitized) the payment to such Person or Persons of the Partnership’s or the Restricted Subsidiary’s proportionate part of such development or operating expenses or (iv) any hedging arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business, including any obligation to deliver any mineral, commodity or asset in connection therewith.

 

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“Net Amount of Rent” means, as to any lease for any period, the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts, whether or not designated as rent or additional rent, required to be paid on account of or contingent upon maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of (i) the net amount determined assuming termination of the lease on the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as payable under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) and (ii) such net amount assuming no such termination.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means, at any time, Debt incurred after the date of the Indenture by the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of property or assets by the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary or the financing of the construction of or improvements on property, whenever acquired, provided that, under the terms of such Debt and pursuant to applicable law, the recourse at such time and thereafter of the lenders with respect to such Debt is limited to the property or assets so acquired, or such construction or improvements, including Debt as to which a performance or completion guarantee or similar undertaking was initially applicable to such Debt or the related property or assets if such guarantee or similar undertaking has been satisfied and is no longer in effect.

“obligor” on any series of Debt Securities means the Partnership, each Guarantor, if any, with respect to such series of Debt Securities and any successor obligor with respect to such series of Debt Securities.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person; provided, however, that an Officer with respect to a partnership shall mean an Officer of its general partner or general partners.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Partnership by two Officers of the General Partner, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the General Partner, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05.

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

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except: (a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee

 

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or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (b) Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Partnership) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Partnership (if the Partnership shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and (c) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Partnership; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which an officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Partnership” means the Person named as the “Partnership” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Partnership” shall mean such successor Person.

“Partnership Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Partnership by an Officer of the General Partner, and delivered to the Trustee, or if the Partnership shall change its form of entity to other than a limited partnership or its management structure, by Persons or officers, members, agents and the like positions comparable to those of the foregoing nature, as applicable.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Partnership to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on a series of Debt Securities on behalf of the Partnership.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

 

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“Principal Property” means any property located in the United States, except any such property that in the opinion of the Board of Directors is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

“Property” means any right or interest of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in and to property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that owns or leases a Principal Property.

“Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person pursuant to which the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries leases any Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Partnership or its Subsidiaries to such Person, other than (i) any such transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three years or classified as an operating lease under GAAP, (ii) any such transaction between the Partnership and any of its Subsidiaries or between any Subsidiaries of the Partnership, and (iii) any such transaction executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction, development or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the Partnership’s Principal Property subject to such leasing transaction.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) any Person of which at the time of such determination more than 50% of the total voting power of Capital Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or other Persons constituting an equivalent governing body) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof), (ii) in the case of a partnership, any Person of which at the time of such determination more than 50% of the partners’ Capital Interests (considering all partners’ Capital Interests as a single class) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or (iii) any other Person with respect to which such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) has the power to control, by contract or otherwise, the board of directors, managers or trustees thereof or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls such entity. Unless otherwise provided, references in this Indenture to a Subsidiary are to a Subsidiary of the Partnership.

 

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“Taxes” means any tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Government of Canada or of any province or territory thereof or by an authority or agency therein or thereof having the power to tax, including any interest, penalties or other charges in respect thereof.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national bank with trust powers, and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the Partnership) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

 

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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in Section
“Additional Amounts”    Section 4.06
“Authorized Agent”    Section 13.14
“Debt Security Register”    Section 2.07
“Defaulted Interest”    Section 2.17
“Event of Default”    Section 6.01
“Guarantee”    Section 12.01
“Indenture Obligations”    Section 12.01
“Judgment Currency”    Section 13.15
“Place of Payment”    Section 2.03
“Registrar”    Section 2.07
“Restricted Security”    Section 4.10
“Successor Guarantor”    Section 10.01
“Successor Partnership”    Section 10.01

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

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

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

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

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

(e) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Whenever the covenants or default provisions or definitions in this Indenture refer to an amount in U.S. dollars, that amount will be deemed to refer to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount of any obligation denominated in any other currency or currencies, including composite currencies. The U.S. Dollar Equivalent of Canadian dollars or any other determination of U.S. Dollar Equivalent for any purpose under this Indenture will be determined as of a date of determination as described in the definition of “U.S. Dollar Equivalent” in Section 1.01 hereof, and, in any case, no subsequent change in the U.S. Dollar Equivalent after the applicable date of determination will cause such determination to be modified.

 

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ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Partnership may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series may be printed, lithographed, engraved or otherwise produced in any manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee

By:   

    
  Authorized Signatory

Section 2.03. Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

 

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(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

(f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Partnership or otherwise;

(g) the obligation, if any, of the Partnership to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(h) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for Capital Interests (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for Capital Interests, Debt Securities or other securities of any kind of the Partnership or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

(i) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(j) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(k) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

 

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(l) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);

(m) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;

(n) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;

(o) any addition to, deletion or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(p) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(q) any trustees, authenticating or Paying Agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(r) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any debt coverage standard by the Partnership and Successor Partnership (as defined in Article X);

(s) with regard to any Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

(t) whether the Debt Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee set forth in Article XII, any modifications to the terms of Article XII applicable to the Debt Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and

(u) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

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Section 2.04. Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Partnership by one authorized Officer of the General Partner. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized Officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. No seal of any party shall be required in connection with the execution or delivery of any Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed by the Partnership shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to hold that office before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Partnership, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to hold such office; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of the Partnership by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of the General Partner, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person did not hold such office.

Section 2.05. Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Partnership may deliver Debt Securities of any series executed by the Partnership to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities upon a Partnership Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the General Partner, authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

(b) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

(c) an Officers’ Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Partnership in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Partnership, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability; and

(iv) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.05 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or vice presidents (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Partnership to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.06. Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.07. Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Partnership shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Partnership shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Partnership shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

 

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Unless and until otherwise determined by the Partnership by a Partnership Order, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Partnership as provided in Section 4.02, and the Partnership shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Partnership, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Partnership, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Partnership, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Partnership may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Partnership’s own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.

The Partnership shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Partnership, each Guarantor (if any), the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Partnership, any Guarantor, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Partnership, any Guarantor, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

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Section 2.08. Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Partnership may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Partnership with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Partnership and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Partnership will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Partnership at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Partnership shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.09. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Partnership and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Partnership and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Partnership nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, then the Partnership shall execute and, upon a Partnership Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Partnership may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has

 

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matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Partnership may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Partnership and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Partnership and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Partnership, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.10. Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Partnership or any Paying Agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Partnership, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Partnership, the Trustee shall deliver to the Partnership canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If the Partnership shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Partnership may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11. Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or Paying Agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and Paying Agents.

Section 2.12. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest

 

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notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Partnership, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of, in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13. Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14. Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Partnership may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15. Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Partnership shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01and Section 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Partnership shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Partnership shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE PARTNERSHIP OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Partnership, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Partnership that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities, or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Partnership shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Partnership within 90 days after the Partnership receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Partnership shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of a Partnership Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) The Partnership may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Partnership will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Partnership Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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(iii) If specified by the Partnership pursuant to Section 2.01 and Section 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Partnership, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Partnership shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of a Partnership Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (A) to each Person specified by such Depositary, a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security, and (B) to such Depositary, a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Partnership will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Partnership and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Partnership, the Trustee, any Registrar, the Paying Agent or any agent of the Partnership or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Partnership, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Partnership and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

 

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Section 2.16. Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for the Partnership to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of the Board of Directors, a supplemental indenture, an Opinion of Counsel or a written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, Section 2.03, Section 2.05 or Section 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Partnership to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Partnership that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or Section 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date.

A Partnership Order delivered by the Partnership to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph may provide that Debt Securities that are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17. Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Partnership, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Partnership may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Partnership shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Partnership shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Partnership of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense

 

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of the Partnership, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

(b) The Partnership may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange if, after notice given by the Partnership to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Section 2.18. CUSIP Numbers. The Partnership in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption, that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Partnership will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Partnership shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture, the Partnership shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, that any interest accrued to the date

 

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fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Partnership defaults in making such redemption payment, the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, that, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, the terms pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of the Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period), the Partnership shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Partnership to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Partnership and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than 15 days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Partnership shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Partnership is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Partnership in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03. Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Partnership shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment specified in said notice, the Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Partnership at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the corporate trust office or such other office or agency of the Partnership as is specified pursuant to Section 2.03 with, if the Partnership, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Partnership, the Registrar and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Partnership shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Partnership shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.04. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, a resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, a resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Partnership may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Partnership or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture; provided that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for

 

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such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.05. Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Partnership will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Partnership intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Partnership shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Partnership to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Partnership shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02, and the Partnership shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.

 

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The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal of, and Premium, If Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Partnership, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on the Debt Securities may at the Partnership’s option be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.07(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.

Principal, premium and interest of Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due.

The Partnership shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. For the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, the Partnership will maintain an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Partnership in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served. The Partnership will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such

 

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office or agency. If at any time the Partnership shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the office of the Trustee where its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States of America, and the Partnership hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Partnership may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment) and may from time to time rescind any such designation. The Partnership hereby designates the office of the Trustee at N9303-110 MAC, Sixth & Marquette, Minneapolis, MN 55479 as its initial office or agency for such purpose. The Partnership will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

Section 4.03. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Partnership, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.

Section 4.04. Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) The Partnership shall cause each Paying Agent, if any, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04, that:

(i) it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Partnership or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;

(ii) it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Partnership (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.

(b) If the Partnership shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Partnership will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by the Partnership to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

 

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(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Partnership may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any Paying Agent, as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Partnership or such Paying Agent.

(d) Whenever the Partnership shall have one or more Paying Agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Partnership will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.

Section 4.05. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Partnership shall, so long as any Debt Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 150 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, commencing with its fiscal year ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate as to such officers’ knowledge of the compliance by the Partnership with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 4.05(a), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or notice requirement under this Indenture.

(b) The Partnership shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, the status thereof and what action the Partnership and any Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.06. Payment of Additional Amounts. Unless otherwise required by Canadian law, neither the Partnership nor any Guarantor will deduct or withhold from payments made with respect to the Debt Securities or any Guarantee on account of any present or future Taxes. In the event that either the Partnership or a Guarantor is required to withhold or deduct on account of any Taxes due from any payment made under or with respect to the Debt Securities or a Guarantee, as the case may be, the Partnership or such Guarantor, as the case may be, will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by each Holder of Debt Securities will equal the amount that the Holder would have received if the Taxes had not been required to be withheld or deducted; provided, however, that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a Holder (A) who, insofar as Canadian Taxes are relevant, does not deal at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) with the Partnership or such Guarantor or (B) to the extent: (i) that any Taxes would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former

 

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connection between the Holder and Canada or any province or territory of Canada, other than the mere receipt of the payment, the acquisition, ownership or disposition of such Debt Securities or the exercise or enforcement of rights under the Debt Securities, any Guarantee or this Indenture; (ii) of any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or personal property Taxes imposed with respect to the Debt Securities, except as described below or as otherwise provided in this Indenture; (iii) that any such Taxes would not have been imposed but for the presentation of the Debt Securities, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which the payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the beneficiary or Holder thereof would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the Debt Securities been presented for payment on any date during such 30-day period; or (iv) that the Holder would not be liable or subject to such withholding or deduction of Taxes but for the failure to make a valid declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption, if: (a) the making of the declaration or claim is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation, ruling or administrative practice of the relevant taxing authority as a precondition to an exemption from, or reduction in, the relevant Taxes; and (b) at least 60 days prior to the first payment with respect to which the Partnership or any Guarantor shall apply this clause (iv), the Partnership or such Guarantor shall have notified all Holders of the Debt Securities in writing that they shall be required to provide this declaration or claim. The Partnership and any Guarantor shall also: (i) withhold or deduct such Taxes as required; (ii) remit the full amount of Taxes deducted or withheld to the relevant taxing authority in accordance with all applicable laws; (iii) use reasonable efforts to obtain from each relevant taxing authority imposing the Taxes certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any Taxes deducted or withheld; and (iv) upon request, make available to the Holders of the Debt Securities, within 60 days after the date the payment of any Taxes deducted or withheld is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by the Partnership or such Guarantor and, notwithstanding the Partnership’s or such Guarantor’s efforts to obtain the receipts, if the same are not obtainable, other evidence of such payments.

In addition, the Partnership or any Guarantor will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest, penalties and additional amounts with respect thereto, payable in Canada or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof with respect to the creation, issue, offering, enforcement, redemption or retirement of the Debt Securities or any Guarantee.

At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Debt Securities is due and payable, if the Partnership or any Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, the Partnership (or in respect of any Guarantee, the relevant Guarantor) shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable, the amounts so payable and such other information as is necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to the Holders on the payment date. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or any other amount payable on or with respect to any of the Debt Securities, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.06 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.06, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made (if applicable).

 

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The obligations of the Partnership and any Guarantor under this Section 4.06 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the payment of all amounts under or with respect to this Indenture and the Debt Securities.

The preceding provisions of this Section 4.06 shall apply only at and during such time as either the Partnership or any Guarantor is organized under the laws of Canada or a province thereof.

Section 4.07. SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) The Partnership shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding:

(i) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Partnership may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act; or if the Partnership is not required to file information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, file with the Trustee and the SEC in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC any supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to the Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations; provided that all such filings shall be deemed made with the Trustee to the extent such information, documents and other reports are readily available through EDGAR or any successor thereto, as of the date on which such filing is required to be made with the Trustee; and

(ii) transmit within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Partnership pursuant to paragraph (i) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.

(b) The Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

(c) The Partnership shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Partnership’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 4.08. Existence. Subject to Article X, the Partnership will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Partnership.

 

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Section 4.09. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Partnership may, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant set forth in this Article IV (except Section 4.01 through Section 4.06) or made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected, waive such compliance in such instance with such covenant, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Partnership and any Guarantor and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 4.10. Limitations on Liens. The Partnership covenants and agrees that it will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, issue or assume any Debt secured by any Lien on any Principal Property, or on Capital Interests or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary (“Restricted Securities”), without making effective provision for the Outstanding Debt Securities (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for the Debt Securities of any series) to be secured by the Lien equally and ratably with (or prior to) any and all Debt and obligations secured or to be secured thereby for so long as such Debt is so secured, except that the foregoing restriction will not apply to:

(a) any Lien existing on the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities under the Indenture;

(b) any Lien on any Principal Property or Restricted Securities of any Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or into the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary, or such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) any Lien on any Principal Property existing at the time of acquisition of such Principal Property by the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether or not assumed by the Partnership or such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that no such Lien may extend to any other Principal Property of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) any Lien on any Principal Property (including any improvements on an existing Principal Property) of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any Lien on the Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary that was formed or is held for the purpose of acquiring and holding such Principal Property, in each case to secure all or any part of the cost of acquisition, development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of all or any part of such Principal Property (or to secure Debt incurred by the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing all or any part of such cost); provided that such Lien is created prior to, at the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, completion of construction or improvement, or commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property and provided, further, that no such Lien (unless otherwise permitted) may extend to any other Principal Property of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than any theretofore unimproved real property on which the Principal Property is so constructed or developed or the improvement is located;

 

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(e) any Lien on any Principal Property or Restricted Securities to secure Debt owing to the Partnership or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(f) any Lien in favor of governmental bodies to secure advances or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure Debt incurred to finance the purchase price or cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Lien;

(g) any Lien created in connection with a project financed with, and created to secure, Non-Recourse Debt;

(h) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

(i) Liens (other than Liens imposed by ERISA) on the property of the Partnership or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred, or pledges or deposits required, in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;

(j) Liens securing taxes that remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings where collection thereof is stayed; provided that the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books reserves with respect to such taxes (segregated to the extent required by GAAP) deemed by it to be adequate.

(k) any right that any municipal or governmental body or agency may have by virtue of any franchise, license or contract to purchase or designate a purchaser of, or order the sale of, any property of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor or to terminate any franchise, license or other rights or to regulate the property and business of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(l) any Liens, neither assumed by the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary nor on which it customarily pays interest, existing upon real estate, or rights in or relating to real estate acquired by the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary for sub-station, measuring station, regulating station, gas purification station, compressor station, transmission line, distribution line or right-of-way purposes;

(m) easements or reservations in any property of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of roads, pipe lines, hydrocarbon transmission and distribution lines, electric light and power transmission and distribution lines, water mains and other like purposes, and zoning ordinances, regulations and restrictions which do not impair the use of such property in the operation of the business of the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(n) any extension, renewal, substitution or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (m), provided that the Debt secured thereby may not exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured at the time of such renewal or refunding, and that such renewal or refunding Lien must be limited to all or any part of the same property and improvements thereon, Capital Interests or Debt that secured the Lien renewed or refunded; or

 

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(o) any Lien not permitted above securing Debt that, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of other secured Debt that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions (excluding Debt secured by Liens permitted under the foregoing exceptions) and the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of all Sale-Leaseback Transactions (not including Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any such Sale-Leaseback Transactions described in clause (iii) or (iv) of Section 4.11) would not then exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Section 4.11. Limitations on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Partnership covenants and agrees that it will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale-Leaseback Transaction unless (i) the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, without securing the Outstanding Debt Securities, to incur Debt secured by a Lien on the Principal Property that is the subject of such Sale-Leaseback Transaction; (ii) the Attributable Indebtedness associated therewith would be in an amount permitted under clause (o) of Section 4.10 hereof; (iii) the proceeds received in respect of the Principal Property so sold and leased back at the time of entering into such Sale-Leaseback Transaction are used for the business and operations of the Partnership or any Subsidiary; or (iv) within 12 months after the sale or transfer, an amount equal to the proceeds received in respect of the Principal Property so sold and leased back at the time of entering into such Sale-Leaseback Transaction is applied to the prepayment (other than mandatory prepayment) of any Outstanding Debt Securities or Funded Debt of the Partnership or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Funded Debt that is held by the Partnership or any Restricted Subsidiary or Funded Debt of the Partnership that is subordinate in right of payment to any Outstanding Debt Securities).

ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Partnership to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Partnership covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Partnership of any such request, a list of similar form and contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of Paying Agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

 

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The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.02. Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Partnership, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.03. Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each May 15 (beginning with the first May 15 following the first issuance of the first series of Debt Securities hereunder) the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b). Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail (a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register, and (b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed by the Trustee with the Partnership, the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Partnership agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.04. Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Partnership shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Partnership may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Partnership shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Partnership’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01. Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

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(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Partnership or any Guarantor duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Partnership or such Guarantor with respect to the Debt Securities of that series set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental indenture with respect to such series, or, in the absence of an applicable supplemental indenture, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Partnership and such Guarantor to remedy the same shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Partnership and such Guarantor by the Trustee, or to the Partnership, such Guarantor and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) the Partnership or any Guarantor, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case;

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

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

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

(i) is for relief against the Partnership or any Guarantor as debtor in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Partnership or any Guarantor or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Partnership or any Guarantor; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Partnership or any Guarantor;

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

(g) any default by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in the payment, at the final maturity date and after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on indebtedness for money borrowed in the principal amount then

 

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outstanding of $100,000,000 or more, or acceleration of any indebtedness for borrowed money of such amount, such that the indebtedness becomes due and payable prior to its maturity date and such acceleration is not rescinded within 60 days after notice thereof has been given to the Partnership by the Trustee or to the Partnership and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; provided that, if, prior to the entry of judgment in favor of the Trustee for payment of the Debt Securities of such series, the default under such indenture or instrument has been remedied or cured by the Partnership or such Subsidiary, or waived by the holders of such indebtedness, then the Event of Default under the Indenture will be deemed likewise to have been remedied, cured or waived;

(h) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or its Guarantee; or

(i) any other Event of Default provided in any supplemental indenture or, in the absence of an applicable supplemental indenture, in a resolution of the Board of Directors with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), (h) or (i) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding, by notice in writing to the Partnership (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and interest on all the Debt Securities shall have already become due and payable, the principal of (or, if any Debt Securities are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may waive all past Defaults (except with respect to the nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) and rescind an acceleration and its consequences, in each case with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

 

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Section 6.02. Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, wherever situated).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Partnership or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to the Partnership, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

 

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In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Partnership, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Partnership shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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Section 6.04. Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05. Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and to the extent permitted by law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, to the extent permitted by law, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.06. Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities

 

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of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the Debt Securities of any series, as provided in Section 6.01, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Partnership, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.07. Trustee to Give Notice of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Defaults with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.08. Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 6.08 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

 

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ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; but the Trustee shall examine the evidence furnished to it pursuant to Section 4.05 and Section 4.06 to determine whether or not such evidence conforms to the requirement of this Indenture;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount

 

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of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Regardless of whether expressly so provided herein, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Partnership mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Partnership Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval or other paper or document, unless requested

 

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in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Partnership or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Partnership upon demand;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder; and

(h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon.

Section 7.03. Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Partnership, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Partnership are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Partnership of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any Paying Agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and, subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims, may otherwise deal with the Partnership with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar.

Section 7.05. Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Partnership upon a Partnership Order.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) jointly and severally covenant and agree to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the

 

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Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Partnership or any Guarantor will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) also jointly and severally covenant to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Partnership, each Guarantor (if any) and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.

Section 7.07. Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee. Such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08. Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Partnership may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Partnership and each Guarantor with respect to such series. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Partnership shall remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

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(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting in such capacity.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Partnership or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Partnership shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any). Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.06.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Partnership, each Guarantor with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series (if any), any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the

 

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same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor Trustee shall be Trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force afforded anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture to a certificate of the Trustee.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee upon the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Partnership or any Guarantor are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Partnership. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12. Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

Section 7.13. Administration of Trust. The Trustee shall administer the trust of the Indenture and shall perform a substantial part of its obligations relating to each series of Debt Securities and this Indenture at its corporate trust office in the City of New York.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01. Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02 or by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders.

Section 8.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.03. Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Partnership, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Partnership as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and neither the Partnership nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Partnership, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04. Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the Trustee receiving evidence, as provided in Section 8.01, of any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in

 

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Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Partnership, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Partnership may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Partnership, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, each Guarantor (if any) and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to the Partnership or any Guarantor, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Partnership or any Successor Guarantor (in each case, as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Partnership or any Guarantor, respectively, in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Partnership or any Guarantor, to add to the covenants of the Partnership or any Guarantor such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this

 

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Indenture; provided that, in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series;

(d) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(e) to modify or amend this Indenture in such a manner as to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(f) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, Debt Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(g) to secure any or all of the Debt Securities;

(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

(k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 2.03; and

 

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(l) to reflect the release of any Guarantor of its obligations under the Guarantee, in the manner provided by this Indenture.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Partnership, each Guarantor (if any) and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

Section 9.02. Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Partnership, when authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors, each Guarantor (if any) and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided that, no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the Dollar; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities; or make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Partnership, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with

 

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the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Partnership shall mail to Holders of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.

Section 9.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Partnership, each Guarantor (if any) and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01and Section 7.02, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.04. Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Partnership, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01. Consolidations and Mergers of the Partnership or any Guarantor. Neither the Partnership nor any Guarantor shall consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (1) except in accordance with the provisions of the partnership agreement, certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other applicable organizational documents thereof, and (2) unless: (a)

 

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either (i) the Partnership or such Guarantor (as the case may be) shall be the continuing Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than the Partnership or such Guarantor (respectively, the “Successor Partnership” and the “Successor Guarantor”), shall be a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof, and the Successor Partnership or Successor Guarantor (as the case may be) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Partnership or such Guarantor (as applicable) under this Indenture and the Debt Securities or the applicable Guarantee according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Partnership or the Successor Guarantor (as the case may be) or any Subsidiary thereof as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Partnership or the Successor Guarantor (as applicable) or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; and (c) the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.02. Rights and Duties of Successor Partnership and Successor Guarantor. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where the Partnership or any Guarantor is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership or any Guarantor in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Partnership or Successor Guarantor (as the case may be) shall succeed to and be substituted for the Partnership or such Guarantor (as applicable) with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture, the Debt Securities and any Guarantee, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets.

The Successor Partnership thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Partnership, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Partnership and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Partnership, instead of the Partnership, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the General Partner to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Partnership thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

 

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ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.02. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Partnership as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Partnership or any Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Partnership or any Guarantor shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Partnership and/or the Guarantors (if any), then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Partnership accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Partnership, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture.

(b) Subject to Section 11.02(c), Section 11.03 and Section 11.07, the Partnership at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, (i) all of the obligations of the Partnership and each Guarantor (if any) under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or (ii) the operation of (x) Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.11 and Article X and any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03 and (y) Section 6.01(d), (g), (h) and (i) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Partnership may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Partnership exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Partnership exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d), (g), (h) or (i) (except to the extent covenants or agreements referenced in such Sections remain applicable).

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Partnership, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Partnership terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Partnership’s obligations in Section 2.07, Section 2.09, Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 4.03, Section 4.04, Section 4.05, Section 4.06, Section 5.01, Section 7.06, Section 11.05, Section 11.06 and Section 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Partnership’s obligations in Section 7.06, Section 11.05 and Section 11.06 shall survive.

Section 11.03. Conditions of Defeasance. The Partnership may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Partnership or any Guarantor irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to Stated Maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Partnership delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to Stated Maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Partnership or any Guarantor occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Partnership or any Guarantor;

(f) the Partnership delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of an exercise of the legal defeasance option, the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Partnership has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case of the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(h) in the event of an exercise of the covenant defeasance option, the Partnership shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(i) the Partnership delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Partnership may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.04. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 11.05. Repayment to Partnership. The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Partnership upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall pay to the Partnership upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Partnership for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.06. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Partnership and each Guarantor (if any), jointly and severally, shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Partnership’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series (or the Guarantees related thereto) shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

 

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ARTICLE XII

GUARANTEE OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 12.01. Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) For value received, each of the Guarantors hereby fully, irrevocably, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to the Holders of Debt Securities of each series to which this Article XII has been made applicable as provided in Section 2.03(t) and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities, and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and such Debt Securities by the Partnership to the Trustee or such Holders (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Trustee or such Holders in connection with the enforcement of this Indenture and the Guarantee) (collectively, the “Indenture Obligations”), when and as such amounts shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of such Debt Securities and this Indenture. The guarantees by the Guarantors set forth in this Article XII are referred to herein as the “Guarantee.” Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Indenture Obligations and would be owed by the Partnership to the Trustee or such Holders under this Indenture and such Debt Securities but for the fact that they are unenforceable, reduced, limited, impaired, suspended or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Partnership.

(b) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each Guarantor will be obligated (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) to pay the same immediately to the Trustee, without set-off or counterclaim or other reduction whatsoever (whether for taxes, withholding or otherwise). The Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all unsecured indebtedness of such Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of such Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any such Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Partnership, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of any Indenture Obligations, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of such Holders or, subject to Section 6.04 hereof, by such Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against the Partnership.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Article XII shall be as aforesaid full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, discharged, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release,

 

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waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Partnership or any Guarantor contained in any of such Debt Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Partnership, any Guarantor or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Trustee or any such Holder of any rights or remedies under any of such Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for any of such Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Partnership or any Guarantor under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Partnership or any Guarantor of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of any of such Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Partnership or any Guarantor of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Partnership or any Guarantor set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment, rehabilitation or relief of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Partnership or any Guarantor or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of any of such Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Partnership or any Guarantor from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of any of such Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture, (x) any change in the name, business, capital structure, corporate existence, or ownership of the Partnership or any Guarantor, or (xi) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, a surety or any Guarantor.

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, notice of acceptance, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Partnership or such Guarantor, and all demands and notices whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to them and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to any Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Guarantor, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

 

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(e) Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Partnership in respect of any amounts paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Guarantor shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation with respect to any of such Debt Securities until all of such Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been indefeasibly paid in full or discharged.

(f) No partner, director, officer, employee or equity holder, as such, of a Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of the Guarantor under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

(g) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the Holders, any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Article XII and the Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any rights, power, privilege or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies. The rights and remedies herein provided for are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided in law or equity. Nothing contained in this Article XII shall limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to accelerate the maturity of such Debt Securities pursuant to Article VI or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or under applicable law.

Section 12.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and, by its acceptance of Debt Securities, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article XII, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 12.03. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee may be endorsed on each Debt Security of a series to which this Article XII has been made applicable authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee of Debt Securities of a series to which this Article XII has been made applicable shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on any such Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee thereof.

 

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If an officer of any Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery by the Trustee of any Debt Security of a series to which this Article XII has been made applicable, after the authentication thereof under this Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

Section 12.04. Release of Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article XII, if any Guarantor shall cease to be either (i) a Subsidiary of the Partnership or (ii) an obligor on any Funded Debt other than the Debt Securities, then if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Guarantor, upon giving notice to the Trustee to the foregoing effect, shall be deemed to be released from all of its obligations under this Indenture, and the Guarantee shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such Guarantor. Following the receipt by the Trustee of any such notice, the Partnership shall cause this Indenture to be amended as provided in Section 9.01(l) hereof; provided, however, that the failure to so amend this Indenture shall not affect the validity of the termination of the Guarantee with respect to such Guarantor.

(b) In addition, upon the exercise of the legal defeasance option or the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in Section 11.02 hereof, each of the Guarantors shall be deemed to be released from all its obligations under this Indenture and the Guarantee shall be of no further force or effect.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01. Successors and Assigns of Partnership Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Partnership, each Guarantor (if any) or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.02. Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Partnership Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the General Partner shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Partnership.

Section 13.03. Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Partnership, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing (in the English language) and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier, to the other’s address:

 

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If to the Partnership:

ONEOK Partners, L.P.

  c/o ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C.

100 West Fifth Street, Suite 1831

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4298

Telecopier No.: (918)  ###-###-####

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

If to a Guarantor:

to the Guarantor’s address and/or telecopier number set forth in the indenture supplemental hereto in which such Guarantor is named as a Guarantor.

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Corporate Trust & Escrow Services

N9303-110 MAC

Sixth & Marquette

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Telecopier No.: (612)  ###-###-####

Attention: Steven R. Gubrud

The Partnership, any Guarantor and the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and upon delivery, if sent by e-mail or overnight air courier.

Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Partnership, any Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States of America addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

 

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In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Section 13.04. Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH DEBT SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.05. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Partnership. Upon any application or demand by the Partnership or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Partnership shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 13.06. Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

 

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Section 13.07. Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.08. Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

Section 13.09. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10. Non-Recourse to the General Partner; No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Partners. Obligations of the Partnership (or any Guarantor) under this Indenture and the Debt Securities issued hereunder are non-recourse to the General Partner (or the general partners or other holders of equity interests of any Guarantor), and their respective Affiliates (other than the Partnership and any Guarantor), and payable only out of cash flow and assets of the Partnership and any Guarantor. The Trustee, and each Holder of a Debt Security by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have agreed in this Indenture that (1) none of the General Partner or the general partners or other holders of equity interests of any Guarantor (nor any of their respective Affiliates other than the Partnership and any Guarantor) shall be liable for any of the obligations of the Partnership or any Guarantor under this Indenture or any Debt Securities, and (2) no director, officer, employee, stockholder or unitholder, as such, of the Partnership, any Guarantor, the Trustee, the General Partner or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing entities and no member of the Board of Directors shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of the Partnership or any Guarantor under this Indenture or any Debt Securities by reason of his, her or its status.

Section 13.11. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12. Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13. Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 13.14. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. If at any time either the Partnership or any Guarantor is not organized under the laws the United States (including the States thereof and the District of Columbia), as soon as practicable it shall appoint CT Corporation or any other agent acceptable to the Trustee (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or based on this Indenture, the Debt Securities or any Guarantee that may be instituted in the Supreme Court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in either

 

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case in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, by the Trustee or the Holder of any Debt Security, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Partnership and such Guarantor hereby waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and expressly and irrevocably accepts and submits, for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such action, suit or proceeding, for itself and with respect to its properties, revenues and assets. Once made, such appointment shall be irrevocable unless and until the Partnership or such Guarantor has appointed a successor Authorized Agent for such purpose, and such successor’s acceptance of such appointment shall have occurred. Each of the Partnership and such Guarantor agrees to take any and all actions, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary so that once made such appointment shall continue in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent with respect to any such action shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Partnership or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

Section 13.15. Judgment Currency. Each of the Partnership and any Guarantor agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and the Holders against any loss incurred by it as a result of any judgment or order being given or made with respect to the Debt Securities, any Guarantee or this Indenture and expressed and paid in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than U.S. dollars and as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the U.S. dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order and (ii) the spot rate of exchange in The City of New York at which the Trustee or such Holder on the date of payment of such judgment or order is able to purchase U.S. dollars with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by the Trustee or such Holder. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of each of the Partnership and any Guarantor and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term “spot rate of exchange” shall include any premium and cost of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, U.S. dollars.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ONEOK PARTNERS, L.P.
By:  

/s/ Jim Kneale

Name:   Jim Kneale
Title:   Executive Vice President - Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Steven Gubrud

Name:   Steven Gubrud
Title:   Vice President

Senior Indenture Signature Page