COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT between REGENCY ENERGYPARTNERS LP and ETE COMMON HOLDINGS, LLC Table of Contents

EX-10.3 5 d756647dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

Execution Version

COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

between

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

and

ETE COMMON HOLDINGS, LLC


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     2  

Section 1.01

     Definitions      2  

Section 1.02

     Accounting Procedures and Interpretation      5  

ARTICLE II AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE

     5  

Section 2.01

     Sale and Purchase      5  

Section 2.02

     Closing      5  

Section 2.03

     Conditions to Closing.      6  

Section 2.04

     Regency Deliveries      7  

Section 2.05

     Purchaser’s Deliveries.      7  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS RELATED TO REGENCY

     8  

Section 3.01

     Partnership Existence      8  

Section 3.02

     Capitalization and Valid Issuance of Purchased Units      8  

Section 3.03

     Regency SEC Documents      10  

Section 3.04

     No Material Adverse Change      10  

Section 3.05

     Litigation      10  

Section 3.06

     No Violations; Compliance with Laws      10  

Section 3.07

     Authority, Enforceability      11  

Section 3.08

     Approvals      11  

Section 3.09

     MLP Status      11  

Section 3.10

     Valid Private Placement      12  

Section 3.11

     Investment Company Status      12  

Section 3.12

     Certain Fees      12  

Section 3.13

     Insurance      12  

Section 3.14

     Internal Accounting Controls      12  

Section 3.15

     Listing and Maintenance Requirements      12  

Section 3.16

     Taking of Necessary Actions      12  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER

     13  

Section 4.01

     Existence      13  

Section 4.02

     Authorization, Enforceability      13  

Section 4.03

     No Breach      13  

Section 4.04

     Certain Fees      13  

Section 4.05

     Investment      13  

Section 4.06

     Nature of Purchaser      14  

Section 4.07

     Restricted Securities      14  

Section 4.08

     Receipt of Information      14  

Section 4.09

     Legend      14  

 

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Section 4.10

     Short Selling      15  

Section 4.11

     Trading Activities      15  

Section 4.12

     Taking of Necessary Actions      15  

ARTICLE V INDEMNIFICATION, COSTS AND EXPENSES

     16  

Section 5.01

     Indemnification by Regency      16  

Section 5.02

     Indemnification by the Purchaser      16  

Section 5.03

     Indemnification Procedure      16  

ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS

     17  

Section 6.01

     Interpretation and Survival of Provisions      17  

Section 6.02

     Survival of Provisions      18  

Section 6.03

     No Waiver; Modifications in Writing      18  

Section 6.04

     Binding Effect; Assignment      18  

Section 6.05

     Communications      19  

Section 6.06

     Entire Agreement      20  

Section 6.07

     Governing Law      20  

Section 6.08

     Waiver of Jury Trial      20  

Section 6.09

     Execution in Counterparts      20  

Section 6.10

     Costs and Expenses      20  

Section 6.11

     Termination      20  

Exhibit A – Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit B – Legal Opinion

Exhibit C – Excepted Subsidiaries

 

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COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2014 (this “Agreement”), is by and between REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency”), and ETE COMMON HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser”). Regency and the Purchaser are sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”

WHEREAS, on December 23, 2013, Regency, Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Eagle Rock”), and Regal Midstream LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Regency (“Regency Sub”), entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which Eagle Rock agreed to contribute to Regency Sub (the “Contribution”) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in certain subsidiaries of Eagle Rock owning Eagle Rock’s midstream business, in exchange for aggregate contribution consideration having a value of approximately $1.3 billion, consisting of (i) the issuance of 8,245,859 Common Units (as defined below) to Eagle Rock having a value as of the date of the Contribution Agreement of approximately $200 million (or approximately $24.2546 per Common Unit, which was the volume weighted average closing price of the Common Units as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for the ten trading days immediately preceding the date of the Contribution Agreement) (the “Eagle Rock Unit Price”), (ii) the assumption of up to $550 million of outstanding 8  38% senior notes due 2019 of Eagle Rock and the resulting exchange for up to $550 million of outstanding senior unsecured notes of Regency and (iii) a cash payment to Eagle Rock equal to the remainder of the contribution consideration;

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Regency to enter into the Contribution Agreement, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the direct parent of the Purchaser (“ETE”), proposed to Regency to fund, or to fund the repayment of indebtedness incurred by Regency to finance, a portion of the expected cash consideration payable to Eagle Rock by purchasing from Regency $400 million of Common Units at a price per Common Unit equal to the Eagle Rock Unit Price;

WHEREAS, in anticipation of the closing of the Contribution, which is expected to occur on the Closing Date (as defined below), and in furtherance of the understanding between Regency and ETE described above, Regency desires to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser desires to purchase from Regency, 16,491,717 Common Units at a price per Common Unit equal to the Eagle Rock Unit Price, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Regency and the Purchaser will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A pursuant to which Regency will provide the Purchaser with certain registration rights with respect to the Common Units acquired pursuant hereto.

 

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NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Basic Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and any and all other agreements or instruments executed and delivered by the Parties to evidence the execution, delivery and performance of any of the Basic Documents, and any amendments, supplements, continuations or modifications thereto.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, any federal legal holiday or day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or State of Texas are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

Class F Common Units” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

Closing” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

Closing Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Units” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

Contribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Contribution Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Delaware LLC Act” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

Delaware LP Act” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

DTC” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.04.

Eagle Rock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Eagle Rock Unit Price” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

ETE” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

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Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

General Partner” means Regency GP LP, and, as the context requires, includes Regency GP LLC.

Governmental Authority” means, with respect to a particular Person, any country, state, county, city and political subdivision in which such Person or such Person’s Property is located or which exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s Property, and any court, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of any of them and any monetary authority which exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s Property. Unless otherwise specified, all references to Governmental Authority herein with respect to Regency means a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Regency, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Properties.

Incentive Distribution Rights” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.03.

Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.03.

Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign order, writ, injunction, judgment, settlement, award, decree, statute, law, rule or regulation.

Lien” means any mortgage, claim, encumbrance, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise), security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment, preference or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any kind.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency, dated February 15, 2006, as amended.

Partnership Securities” means any class or series of equity interest in Regency (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in Regency), including the Common Units, Class F Common Units, Series A Preferred Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights.

Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Person” means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

 

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Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

Purchased Units” means 16,491,717 Common Units to be issued to the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Purchase Price” means $400,000,000.

Purchaser Related Parties” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Purchaser” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Regency” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

Regency Credit Facility” means the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2013, by and among Regency Gas Services LP, Regency, as guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto, as amended.

Regency Financial Statements” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.03.

Regency GP LP” means Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the general partner of Regency.

Regency GP LLC” means Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of Regency GP LP.

Regency Material Adverse Effect” means any material and adverse effect on (a) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business, operations, affairs or prospects of Regency and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) the ability of Regency and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to carry on their business as such business is conducted as of the date hereof or to meet their obligations under the Basic Documents on a timely basis; or (c) the ability of Regency to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that a Regency Material Adverse Effect shall not include any material and adverse effect on the foregoing to the extent such material and adverse effect results from, arises out of, or relates to (x) a general deterioration in the economy or changes in the general state of the industries in which the Regency Parties operate, except to the extent that the Regency Parties, taken as a whole, are adversely affected in a disproportionate manner as compared to other industry participants, (y) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States, the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis, including acts of terrorism, or (z) any change in accounting requirements or principles imposed upon Regency and its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or any change in applicable Law, or the interpretation thereof.

Regency Parties” means Regency, the General Partner and all of Regency’s Subsidiaries.

Regency Related Parties” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.02.

 

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Regency SEC Documents” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.03.

Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, the officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other representatives of such Person.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Series A Preferred Units” means “Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units” as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which: (i) such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or manager; (ii) at least a majority of the outstanding equity interest having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body of such corporation or other entity (irrespective of whether or not at the time any equity interest of any other class or classes of such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) any corporation or other entity as to which such Person consolidates for accounting purposes.

Section 1.02 Accounting Procedures and Interpretation. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all Regency Financial Statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Purchaser hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q promulgated by the Commission) and in compliance as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto.

ARTICLE II

AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE

Section 2.01 Sale and Purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Regency hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Purchaser, free and clear of any and all Liens, and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from Regency, all of the Purchased Units, and the Purchaser agrees to pay Regency the Purchase Price. Upon payment of the Purchase Price at Closing, the Purchased Units shall be fully paid for.

Section 2.02 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Units hereunder (the “Closing”) shall take place at 8:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on July 1, 2014 at the offices of Baker Botts L.L.P., 2001 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas ###-###-####, or at such other time and location as mutually agreed by the Parties (the “Closing Date”). The Parties agree that the Closing may occur via delivery of facsimiles or e-mailed PDF scans of this Agreement and the other closing deliveries.

 

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Section 2.03 Conditions to Closing.

(a) Mutual Conditions. The respective obligations of each Party to consummate the purchase and issuance and sale of the Purchased Units shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by a particular Party on behalf of itself in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

(i) no statute, rule, order, decree or regulation shall have been enacted or promulgated, and no action shall have been taken, by any Governmental Authority which temporarily, preliminarily or permanently restrains, precludes, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or makes the transactions contemplated hereby illegal; and

(ii) there shall not be pending any suit, action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority seeking to restrain, preclude, enjoin or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Purchaser Conditions. The obligation of the Purchaser to consummate the purchase of the Purchased Units shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by the Purchaser in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

(i) the representations and warranties of Regency contained in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality or Regency Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date and all other representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except that representations made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only);

(ii) an application shall have been submitted to list the Purchased Units on the NYSE; and

(iii) Regency shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Purchaser at the Closing, Regency’s closing deliveries described in Section 2.04.

(c) Regency’s Conditions. The obligation of Regency to consummate the sale of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of the following condition (which may be waived by Regency in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

(i) the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except that representations made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only); and

 

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(ii) the Purchaser shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Regency at the Closing, the Purchaser’s closing deliveries described in Section 2.05.

Section 2.04 Regency Deliveries. At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Regency will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Purchaser:

(a) The Purchased Units by electronic delivery to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) on the Purchaser’s behalf, registered in such name(s) as the Purchaser has designated;

(b) Copies of (i) the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Regency, (ii) the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Regency GP LP and (iii) the Certificate of Formation of Regency GP LLC, each certified by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of its formation as of a recent date;

(c) A certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, dated a recent date, that Regency is in good standing;

(d) A cross-receipt executed by Regency and delivered to the Purchaser certifying that it has received the Purchase Price as of the Closing Date;

(e) An opinion addressed to the Purchaser from legal counsel to Regency, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit B;

(f) The executed Registration Rights Agreement; and

(g) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the General Partner, on behalf of Regency, certifying as to and attaching (i) the Partnership Agreement, (ii) board resolutions authorizing the execution and delivery of the Basic Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and (iii) its incumbent officers authorized to execute the Basic Documents to which it is a party, setting forth the name and title and bearing the signatures of such officers.

Section 2.05 Purchaser’s Deliveries. At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Purchaser will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Regency:

(a) Payment to Regency of the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Regency in writing at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

(b) The executed Registration Rights Agreement; and

(c) A cross-receipt executed by the Purchaser and delivered to Regency certifying that it has received the Purchased Units as of the Closing Date.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

RELATED TO REGENCY

Regency represents and warrants to and covenants with the Purchaser as follows:

Section 3.01 Partnership Existence. Regency (a) is a limited partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and (b) has all requisite limited partnership power and authority, and has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own, lease, use and operate its Properties and carry on its business as its business is now being conducted, except where the failure to obtain such licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals would not be reasonably likely to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect. Each of Regency’s Subsidiaries has been duly incorporated or formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has all requisite power and authority, and has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own, lease, use or operate its respective Properties and carry on its business as now being conducted, except where the failure to obtain such licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals would not be reasonably likely to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect. None of Regency nor any of its Subsidiaries are in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any provision of, in the case of Regency, the Partnership Agreement or its Certificate of Limited Partnership or, in the case of any Subsidiary of Regency, its respective certificate of incorporation, certification of formation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other similar organizational documents. Each of Regency and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, and is authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its respective Properties or the character of its respective operations makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to obtain such qualification, license, authorization or good standing would not be reasonably likely to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.02 Capitalization and Valid Issuance of Purchased Units.

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, prior to the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units, as contemplated hereby, the issued and outstanding limited partner interests of Regency consist of 372,077,138 Common Units, 6,274,483 Class F Common Units, 1,912,569 Series A Preferred Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights. The only issued and outstanding general partner interests of Regency are the interests of the General Partner described in the Partnership Agreement. All outstanding Common Units, Class F Common Units, Series A Preferred Units and Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware LP Act”)).

 

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(b) Other than the Regency GP LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Penn Virginia Resource GP, LLC Sixth Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, Regency has no equity compensation plans that contemplate the issuance of partnership interests of Regency (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for partnership interests of Regency). No indebtedness having the right to vote (or convertible into or exchangeable for securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which Regency unitholders may vote are issued or outstanding. Except as set forth in the first sentence of this Section 3.02(b), as contemplated by this Agreement or as are provided in the Partnership Agreement, there are no outstanding or authorized (i) options, warrants, preemptive rights, subscriptions, calls, or other rights, convertible or exchangeable securities, agreements, claims or commitments of any character obligating Regency or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell any partnership interests or other equity interest in, Regency or any of its Subsidiaries or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such partnership interests, (ii) obligations of Regency or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any partnership interests or equity interests of Regency or any of its Subsidiaries or any such securities or agreements listed in clause (i) of this sentence or (iii) voting trusts or similar agreements to which Regency or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting of the equity interests of Regency or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c) (i) All of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each of Regency’s Subsidiaries (except for the entities listed on Exhibit C) are owned, directly or indirectly, by Regency free and clear of any Liens (except for such restrictions as may exist under applicable Law and for such Liens as may be imposed under the Regency Credit Facility and the indentures governing senior notes of Regency), and all such ownership interests have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid (to the extent required in the organizational documents of Regency’s Subsidiaries, as applicable) and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act, Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware LLC Act”), Sections 101.114 and 101.206 of the Texas Business Organizations Code and Section 18-2054.4(H) of the Oklahoma Limited Liability Company Act) and free of preemptive rights and (ii) except as disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents, neither Regency nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any shares of capital stock or other securities of, or interest in, any other Person, or is obligated to make any capital contribution to or other investment in any other Person.

(d) The Purchased Units will be duly authorized by Regency pursuant to the Partnership Agreement prior to the Closing and, when issued and delivered to the Purchaser against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required by the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act) and will be free of any and all Liens and restrictions on transfer, other than (i) restrictions on transfer under the Partnership Agreement or this Agreement and under applicable state and federal securities laws and (ii) such Liens as are created by the Purchaser.

(e) The Common Units are listed on the NYSE, and Regency has not received any notice of delisting from the NYSE.

 

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Section 3.03 Regency SEC Documents. Regency has timely filed with the Commission all forms, registration statements, reports, schedules and statements required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (all such documents, collectively the “Regency SEC Documents”). The Regency SEC Documents, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (the “Regency Financial Statements”), at the time filed (in the case of registration statements, solely on the dates of effectiveness) (except to the extent corrected by a subsequently filed Regency SEC Document filed prior to the date hereof) (a) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in light of the circumstances under which they were made in the case of any prospectus) not misleading, (b) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as applicable, (c) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto, (d) in the case of the Regency Financial Statements, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the Commission with respect to interim financial statements), and (e) in the case of the Regency Financial Statements, fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal, recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Regency and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. Grant Thornton LLP is an independent, registered public accounting firm with respect to Regency and has not resigned or been dismissed as independent public accountants of Regency as a result of or in connection with any disagreement with Regency on a matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

Section 3.04 No Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth in or contemplated by the Regency SEC Documents filed with the Commission on or prior to the date hereof, since the date of Regency’s most recent Form 10-K filing with the Commission, Regency and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, and there has been no (a) change, event, occurrence, effect, fact, circumstance or condition that has had or would be reasonably likely to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect, (b) acquisition or disposition of any material asset by Regency or any of its Subsidiaries or any contract or arrangement therefor, otherwise than for fair value in the ordinary course of business or as disclosed in the Regency SEC Documents, or (c) material change in Regency’s accounting principles, practices or methods.

Section 3.05 Litigation. Except as set forth in the Regency SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, or proceeding pending (including any investigation, litigation or inquiry) or, to Regency’s knowledge, contemplated or threatened against or affecting any of the Regency Parties or any of their respective officers, directors, properties or assets, which (a) questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of Regency to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) (individually or in the aggregate) would be reasonably likely to result in a Regency Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.06 No Violations; Compliance with Laws. As of the Closing Date, the execution, delivery and performance by Regency of the Basic Documents to which it is a party and compliance by Regency with the terms and provisions thereof, and the issuance and sale by Regency of the Purchased Units, do not and will not (a) assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein and their compliance with the covenants contained herein, violate any provision of any Law or Permit having applicability to Regency or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Properties, (b) result in a violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of limited partnership or other organizational documents of Regency, or the Partnership Agreement, or any organizational documents of any of Regency’s Subsidiaries, (c) require any consent, approval or notice (other than those previously obtained or given) under or result in a violation or breach of or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under any contract, agreement, instrument, obligation, note, bond, mortgage, license, loan or credit agreement to which Regency or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Regency or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Properties may be bound, or (d) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Properties now owned or hereafter acquired by Regency or any of its Subsidiaries, except in the case of clause (b) where any such violation, default, breach, termination, cancellation, failure to receive consent, approval or notice, or acceleration with respect to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.06 would not be, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to result in a Regency Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07 Authority, Enforceability. Regency has all necessary limited partnership power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Basic Documents, and the execution, delivery and performance by Regency of the Basic Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the General Partner; and the Basic Documents to which it is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Regency, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity and except as the rights to indemnification may be limited by applicable Law (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in law or in equity). No approval from the holders of the Common Units, Series F Common Units, Series A Preferred Units or Incentive Distribution Rights is required in connection with Regency’s issuance and sale of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser.

Section 3.08 Approvals. Except for the approvals that have already been obtained and the authorization of the NYSE for the listing of the Purchased Units, no authorization, consent, approval, waiver, license, qualification or written exemption from, nor any filing, declaration, qualification or registration with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Regency of any of the Basic Documents to which it is a party, except where the failure to receive such authorization, consent, approval, waiver, license, qualification or written exemption from, or to make such filing, declaration, qualification or registration would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Regency Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.09 MLP Status. Regency is properly treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and more than 90% of Regency’s current gross income is qualifying income under Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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Section 3.10 Valid Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement, the sale and issuance of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and neither Regency nor, to the knowledge of Regency, any authorized agent acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemptions.

Section 3.11 Investment Company Status. Regency is not an “investment company” or a company controlled by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 3.12 Certain Fees. No fees or commissions are or will be payable by Regency to brokers, finders, or investment bankers with respect to the sale of any of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Regency agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from and against any and all claims, demands, or liabilities for broker’s, finder’s, placement, or other similar fees or commissions incurred by Regency or alleged to have been incurred by Regency in connection with the sale of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 3.13 Insurance. Regency and its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged. Regency does not have any reason to believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

Section 3.14 Internal Accounting Controls. Regency and its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Regency is not aware of any material weaknesses with respect to its internal accounting controls.

Section 3.15 Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The issuance and sale of the Purchased Units does not contravene the rules and regulations of the NYSE.

Section 3.16 Taking of Necessary Actions. Regency shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all action and promptly to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Regency shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make all filings and obtain all consents of Governmental Authorities that may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the other Parties, as the case may be, advisable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Basic Documents.

 

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ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants and covenants to Regency that:

Section 4.01 Existence. The Purchaser is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with all necessary limited liability company power and authority to own properties and to conduct its business as currently conducted.

Section 4.02 Authorization, Enforceability. The Purchaser has all necessary limited liability company power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under the Basic Documents to which it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance of this the Basic Documents to which it is a party by the Purchaser and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action, and no further consent or authorization of the Purchaser is required. The Basic Documents to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser; provided that, the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity and except as the rights to indemnification may be limited by applicable Law (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Section 4.03 No Breach. The execution, delivery and performance of the Basic Documents to which it is a party by the Purchaser and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated thereby will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Purchaser is subject, (b) conflict with or result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Purchaser, or (c) violate any statute, order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Purchaser or the properties or assets of the Purchaser, except in the case of clauses (a) and (c), for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults as would not prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.04 Certain Fees. No fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Purchaser to brokers, finders, or investment bankers with respect to the purchase of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Basic Documents. The Purchaser agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless Regency from and against any and all claims, demands or liabilities for broker’s, finder’s, placement, or other similar fees or commissions incurred by the Purchaser or alleged to have been incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the purchase of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Basic Documents.

 

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Section 4.05 Investment. The Purchased Units are being acquired for the Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and with no present intention of distributing the Purchased Units or any part thereof, and the Purchaser has no present intention of selling or granting any participation in or otherwise distributing the same in any transaction in violation of any securities Laws, without prejudice, however, to the Purchaser’s right at all times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Purchased Units pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws or under an exemption from such registration available thereunder (including, if available, Rule 144 under the Securities Act). If the Purchaser should in the future decide to dispose of any of the Purchased Units, the Purchaser understands and agrees (a) that it may do so only (i) in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws, as then in effect, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom (including Rule 144 under the Securities Act) or (ii) in the manner contemplated by any registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to which such securities are being offered, and (b) that stop-transfer instructions to that effect will be in effect with respect to the Purchased Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser may at any time transfer Purchased Units to an Affiliate of the Purchaser provided that any such transaction is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and that such Affiliate agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 4.06 Nature of Purchaser. The Purchaser (a) is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and (b) by reason of its business and financial experience it has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in making similar investments and in business and financial matters generally so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Purchased Units, is able to bear the economic risk of such investment and, at the present time, would be able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

Section 4.07 Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands that the Purchased Units are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities Laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from Regency in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such Laws such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, the Purchaser represents that it is knowledgeable with respect to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Section 4.08 Receipt of Information. The Purchaser has (a) had access to Regency’s periodic filings with the Commission and (b) been provided a reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from Representatives of Regency regarding such matters.

Section 4.09 Legend. It is understood that the Purchased Units, as represented in one or more accounts with DTC, will bear the following legend:

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP THAT THIS

 

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SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). REGENCY GP LP, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

Section 4.10 Short Selling. The Purchaser has not entered into any short sales of the Common Units owned by it between the time it first began discussion with Regency about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the date hereof (it being understood that the entering into of a total return swap shall not be considered a short sale of Common Units).

Section 4.11 Trading Activities. The Purchaser’s trading activities, if any, with respect to the Common Units will be in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities Laws and the rules and regulations of the NYSE.

Section 4.12 Taking of Necessary Actions. The Purchaser shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all action and promptly to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist Regency in making all filings and obtaining all consents of Governmental Authorities that may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of Regency, advisable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Basic Documents.

 

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ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION, COSTS AND EXPENSES

Section 5.01 Indemnification by Regency. Regency agrees to indemnify the Purchaser, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., LE GP, LLC and their respective Representatives (collectively, “Purchaser Related Parties”) from, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all losses, actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), demands, and causes of action, and, in connection therewith, and promptly upon demand, pay or reimburse each of them for all reasonable costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and all other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such matter that may be incurred by them or asserted against or involve any of them as a result of, arising out of, or in any way related to (a) the breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of Regency contained herein, provided such claim for indemnification relating to a breach of any representation or warranty is made prior to the expiration of such representation or warranty and (b) claims made by any third party or governmental agency in any proceeding as to which any Purchaser Related Party is a party or defendant thereto (whether or not such Purchaser Related Party is a primary defendant) (i) with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty (whether arising at law, in equity or by contract) or (ii) any violation of law or regulation by any Regency Related Party, in the case of (i) or (ii) in connection with the entry into this Agreement and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that no Purchaser Related Party shall be entitled to recover special, consequential or punitive damages with respect to claims pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 5.01. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, consequential damages shall not be deemed to include diminution in value of the Purchased Units, which is specifically included in damages covered by Purchaser Related Parties’ indemnification.

Section 5.02 Indemnification by the Purchaser. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify Regency, the General Partners and their respective Representatives (collectively, “Regency Related Parties”) from, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all losses, actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), demands, and causes of action, and, in connection therewith, and promptly upon demand, pay or reimburse each of them for all reasonable costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and all other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such matter that may be incurred by them or asserted against or involve any of them as a result of, arising out of, or in any way related to the breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Purchaser contained herein, provided such claim for indemnification relating to a breach of any representation or warranty is made prior to the expiration of such representation or warranty, provided, however, that the liability of the Purchaser shall not be greater in amount than the Purchase Price.

Section 5.03 Indemnification Procedure. Promptly after any Regency Related Party or Purchaser Related Party (hereinafter, the “Indemnified Party”) has received notice of any indemnifiable claim hereunder, or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by a third person, which the Indemnified Party believes in good faith is an indemnifiable claim under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the indemnitor hereunder (the “Indemnifying

 

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Party”) written notice of such claim or the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding, but failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. Such notice shall state the nature and the basis of such claim to the extent then known. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend and settle, at its own expense and by its own counsel, any such matter as long as the Indemnifying Party pursues the same diligently and in good faith. If the Indemnifying Party undertakes to defend or settle, it shall promptly notify the Indemnified Party of its intention to do so, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in all commercially reasonable respects in the defense thereof and the settlement thereof. Such cooperation shall include, but shall not be limited to, furnishing the Indemnifying Party with any books, records and other information reasonably requested by the Indemnifying Party and in the Indemnified Party’s possession or control. Such cooperation of the Indemnified Party shall be at the cost of the Indemnifying Party. After the Indemnifying Party has notified the Indemnified Party of its intention to undertake to defend or settle any such asserted liability, and for so long as the Indemnifying Party diligently pursues such defense, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any additional legal expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with any defense or settlement of such asserted liability; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall be entitled (i) at its expense, to participate in the defense of such asserted liability and the negotiations of the settlement thereof and (ii) if (A) the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (B) if the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party or if the interests of the Indemnified Party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any indemnified claim without the consent of the Indemnified Party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete release from liability of, and does not contain any admission of wrong doing by, the Indemnified Party.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.01 Interpretation and Survival of Provisions. Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. All references to instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The word “including” shall mean “including but not limited to.” Whenever Regency has an obligation under a Basic Document, the expense of complying with that obligation shall be an expense of Regency unless otherwise specified. Whenever any determination, consent or approval is to be made or given by the Purchaser, such action shall be in such the Purchaser’s sole discretion unless otherwise specified in this Agreement. If any provision in the Basic Documents is held to be illegal,

 

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invalid, not binding, or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the Basic Documents shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, not binding, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of the Basic Documents, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.02 Survival of Provisions. The representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.02, 3.07, 3.08, 3.11, 3.12, 4.02 and 4.04 hereunder shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement indefinitely, and the other representations and warranties set forth herein shall survive for a period of 12 months following the Closing Date regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Regency or the Purchaser. The covenants made in this Agreement or any other Basic Document shall survive the Closing of the transactions described herein and remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of acceptance of any of the Purchased Units and payment therefor and repayment or repurchase thereof. All indemnification obligations of Regency and the Purchaser and the provisions of Article V shall remain operative and in full force and effect unless such obligations are expressly terminated in a writing referencing that individual Section, regardless of any purported general termination of this Agreement.

Section 6.03 No Waiver; Modifications in Writing.

(a) Delay. No failure or delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to a Party at law or in equity or otherwise.

(b) Specific Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment, waiver, consent, modification, or termination of any provision of this Agreement or any other Basic Document shall be effective unless signed by each of the parties hereto or thereto affected by such amendment, waiver, consent, modification, or termination. Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement or any other Basic Document, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Basic Document, and any consent to any departure by Regency from the terms of any provision of this Agreement or any other Basic Document shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given. Except where notice is specifically required by this Agreement, no notice to or demand on Regency in any case shall entitle Regency to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

Section 6.04 Binding Effect; Assignment.

(a) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon Regency, the Purchaser, and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Article V), this Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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(b) Assignment of Rights. All or any portion of the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred by the Purchaser to any Affiliate of the Purchaser without the consent of Regency. No portion of the rights and obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred by the Purchaser to a non-Affiliate without the written consent of Regency.

Section 6.05 Communications. All notices and demands provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, telecopy, air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or personal delivery to the following addresses:

To Regency:

Regency Energy Partners LP

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile:      (214)  ###-###-####

Attention:       Todd Carpenter

Email:              ***@***

with copies to:

Baker Botts L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile:       ###-###-####

Attention:      Neel Lemon

    A.J. Ericksen

Email:             ***@***

     ***@***

To the Purchaser:

ETE Common Holdings, LLC

3738 Oak Lawn Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75219

Facsimile:         ###-###-####

Attention:        General Counsel

with copies to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile:       ###-###-####

Attention:       William N. Finnegan

Email:              ***@***

 

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or to such other address as Regency or the Purchaser may designate in writing. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; upon actual receipt if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or regular mail, if mailed; upon actual receipt of the overnight courier copy, if sent via facsimile; and upon actual receipt when delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Section 6.06 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Basic Documents are intended by the Parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the Parties in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or the other Basic Documents with respect to the rights granted by Regency or any of its Affiliates or the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates set forth herein or therein. This Agreement and the other Basic Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 6.07 Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

Section 6.08 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each Party irrevocably waives the right to a trial by jury in connection with any matter arising out of this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 6.09 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the Parties in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

Section 6.10 Costs and Expenses. Each Party shall be responsible for such Party’s own expenses in connection with the Basic Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby.

Section 6.11 Termination.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing by the Purchaser, upon a breach in any material respect by Regency of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing by Regency, upon a breach in any material respect by the Purchaser of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall automatically terminate at any time at or prior to the Closing if a Law shall have been enacted or promulgated, or if any action shall have been taken by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction that permanently restrains, permanently precludes, permanently enjoins or

 

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otherwise permanently prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by any of the other Basic Documents or makes the transactions contemplated by any of the Basic Documents illegal.

(d) In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.11 (i) this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and (ii) there shall be no liability on the part of any Party; provided that nothing herein shall relieve any Party from any liability or obligation with respect to any willful breach of this Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP, its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Thomas E. Long
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
ETE COMMON HOLDINGS, LLC
By:  

/s/ John W. McReynolds

  John W. McReynolds
  President and Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit A

Registration Rights Agreement


Exhibit B

Form of Opinion of Regency Counsel


Exhibit C

Excepted Subsidiaries

 

    Edwards Lime Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 60% membership interest)

 

    ELG Oil LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (indirect 60% membership interest)

 

    ELG Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (indirect 60% membership interest)

 

    RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., a Delaware general partnership (direct 49.99% partnership interest)

 

    RIGS GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (indirect 49.99% limited liability company interest)

 

    Regency Intrastate Gas LP, a Delaware limited partnership (indirect 49.99% partnership interest)

 

    Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 50% limited liability company interest)

 

    Lone Star NGL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 30% limited liability company interest)

 

    Ranch Westex JV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 33.33% limited liability company interest)

 

    Kingsport Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 50% joint venture interest)

 

    Kingsport Handling LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 50% joint venture interest)

 

    Coal Handling Solutions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 50% joint venture interest)

 

    Maysville Handling LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (indirect 25% joint venture interest)

 

    Covington Handling LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (indirect 25% joint venture interest)

 

    CBC/Leon Limited Partnership, an Oklahoma limited partnership (indirect 91% joint venture interest)

 

    Leon Limited Partnership I, an Oklahoma limited partnership (indirect 50% joint venture interest)

 

    Bright Star Partnership (indirect 6.9% joint venture interest)

 

    Aqua – PVR Water Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (direct 51% joint venture interest)