Second Lien Credit Agreement Dated as of December 22, 2011 among Rex Energy Corporation, as Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, UnionBanCal Equities, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as Co-DocumentationAgents, and The Lenders Party Hereto Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner KeyBank National Association TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-10.54 6 d272206dex1054.htm SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT Second Lien Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10.54

Second Lien Credit Agreement

Dated as of

December 22, 2011

among

Rex Energy Corporation,

as Borrower,

KeyBank National Association,

as Administrative Agent,

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

UnionBanCal Equities, Inc. and SunTrust Bank,

as Co-Documentation Agents,

and

The Lenders Party Hereto

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

KeyBank National Association


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

     1   

Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above

     1   

Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms

     1   

Section 1.03 Types of Loans and Borrowings

     21   

Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction

     21   

Section 1.05 Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP

     22   

ARTICLE II CREDITS

     22   

Section 2.01 Term Loan

     22   

Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings

     22   

Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings

     23   

Section 2.04 Interest Elections

     24   

Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowings; Evidence of Obligations

     25   

Section 2.06 Termination of Commitments

     26   

Section 2.07 Incremental Term Loan Commitments

     26   

ARTICLE III PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES

     28   

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans

     28   

Section 3.02 Interest

     28   

Section 3.03 Alternate Rate of Interest

     29   

Section 3.04 Prepayments

     30   

Section 3.05 Fees

     31   

ARTICLE IV PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS

     31   

Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

     31   

Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower

     32   

Section 4.03 Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent

     32   

Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds

     32   

ARTICLE V INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY

     33   

Section 5.01 Increased Costs

     33   

Section 5.02 Break Funding Payments

     34   

Section 5.03 Taxes

     35   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 5.04 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     37   

Section 5.05 Illegality

     37   

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     38   

Section 6.01 Effective Date

     38   

ARTICLE VII REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     40   

Section 7.01 Organization; Powers

     40   

Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability

     41   

Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts

     41   

Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     41   

Section 7.05 Litigation

     42   

Section 7.06 Environmental Matters

     42   

Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults

     43   

Section 7.08 Investment Company Act

     44   

Section 7.09 Taxes

     44   

Section 7.10 ERISA

     44   

Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements

     45   

Section 7.12 Insurance

     46   

Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens

     46   

Section 7.14 Subsidiaries

     46   

Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices

     46   

Section 7.16 Properties; Titles, Etc.

     47   

Section 7.17 Maintenance of Properties

     47   

Section 7.18 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments

     48   

Section 7.19 Marketing of Production

     48   

Section 7.20 Swap Agreements

     48   

Section 7.21 Use of Loans

     49   

Section 7.22 Solvency

     49   

ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     49   

Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Other Information

     49   

Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events

     53   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business

     53   

Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations

     53   

Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents

     54   

Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties

     54   

Section 8.07 Insurance

     55   

Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     55   

Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws

     55   

Section 8.10 Environmental Matters

     55   

Section 8.11 Further Assurances

     56   

Section 8.12 Reserve Reports

     57   

Section 8.13 Title Information

     58   

Section 8.14 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors

     58   

Section 8.15 ERISA Compliance

     59   

Section 8.16 Swap Agreements

     60   

Section 8.17 Marketing Activities

     60   

Section 8.18 Post-Closing Agreements

     60   

ARTICLE IX NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     61   

Section 9.01 Financial Covenants

     61   

Section 9.02 Debt

     61   

Section 9.03 Liens

     63   

Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions

     63   

Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances

     64   

Section 9.06 Nature of Business

     66   

Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases

     66   

Section 9.08 Proceeds of Loans

     66   

Section 9.09 ERISA Compliance

     66   

Section 9.10 Sale or Discount of Receivables

     67   

Section 9.11 Mergers, Etc.

     68   

Section 9.12 Sale of Properties

     68   

Section 9.13 Environmental Matters

     69   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 9.14 Transactions with Affiliates

     69   

Section 9.15 Subsidiaries

     70   

Section 9.16 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions

     70   

Section 9.17 Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments

     70   

Section 9.18 Swap Agreements

     70   

Section 9.19 Modification of First Lien Loan Documents

     71   

ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

     71   

Section 10.01 Events of Default

     71   

Section 10.02 Remedies

     73   

ARTICLE XI THE AGENTS

     74   

Section 11.01 Appointment; Powers

     74   

Section 11.02 Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent

     74   

Section 11.03 Action by Administrative Agent

     75   

Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent

     76   

Section 11.05 Subagents

     76   

Section 11.06 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent

     76   

Section 11.07 Agents as Lenders

     77   

Section 11.08 No Reliance

     77   

Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

     77   

Section 11.10 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral, Liens and Guarantors

     78   

Section 11.11 The Arranger, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent

     78   

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     78   

Section 12.01 Notices

     78   

Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments

     79   

Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     80   

Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns

     83   

Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement

     86   

Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     87   

Section 12.07 Severability

     87   

 

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 12.08 Right of Setoff

     88   

Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS

     88   

Section 12.10 Headings

     89   

Section 12.11 Confidentiality

     89   

Section 12.12 Interest Rate Limitation

     90   

Section 12.13 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS

     91   

Section 12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries

     91   

Section 12.15 USA Patriot Act Notice

     91   

 

-v-


ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Annex I

   List of Commitments

Exhibit A

   Form of Note

Exhibit B

   Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit C

   Form of Interest Election Request

Exhibit D-1

   Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit D-2

   Form of Section 8.01(c) Certificate

Exhibit E

   Security Instruments

Exhibit F

   Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit G

   Form of Guaranty and Collateral Agreement

Exhibit H

   Local Counsel Opinions

Schedule 1.02

   Holders of Equity Interests

Schedule 7.05

   Litigation

Schedule 7.06

   Environmental

Schedule 7.14

   Subsidiaries and Partnerships

Schedule 7.18

   Gas Imbalances

Schedule 7.19

   Marketing Contracts

Schedule 7.20

   Swap Agreements

Schedule 9.02

   Existing Debt

Schedule 9.03

   Existing Liens

Schedule 9.05

   Investments

Schedule 9.14

   Existing Affiliate Transactions

Schedule 9.16

   Existing Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions

 

-vi-


THIS SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 22, 2011, is among Rex Energy Corporation, a corporation duly formed and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Borrower”); each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto; KeyBank National Association (in its individual capacity, “KeyBank”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”); Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Syndication Agent”); and UnionBanCal Equities, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as co-documentation agents for the Lenders (each in such capacity, together with their successors in such capacity, the “Documentation Agents”).

R E C I T A L S

A. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a senior secured second lien term loan facility (a) to finance the acquisition of certain oil and gas leases in Ohio and Pennsylvania, (b) to pay amounts outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement, and (c) for general corporate purposes of the Borrower.

B. The Lenders have agreed to make such term loans subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

C. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above. As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.

Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the product of (i) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05.


Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents; and “Agent” shall mean either the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agents, as the context requires.

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated.

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the (i) LIBO Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans minus (iii) the Applicable Margin for ABR Loans each on such day. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

Applicable Margin” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be, the rate per annum set forth below for the applicable period specified below:

 

Period

   LIBOR Margin     Base Rate Margin  

On the Effective Date through and including the first anniversary thereof

     6.0     5.0

After the first anniversary of the Effective Date

     7.0     6.0

; provided that if the “Applicable Margin” or similar component of any applicable interest rate with respect to any Debt permitted under Section 9.02(i) is increased by more than 25 basis points (except in connection with the imposition of a default rate) above the applicable margins set forth in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date (a “First Lien Margin Increase”), then the Applicable Margins for purposes of this Agreement shall automatically increase by an amount equal to the First Lien Margin Increase on the date such First Lien Margin Increase becomes effective.

Approved Counterparty” means (a) any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender and (b) any other Person whose long term senior unsecured debt rating is A-/A3 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent) or higher.

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

- 2 -


Approved Petroleum Engineers” means (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants, L.P. and (c) any other independent petroleum engineers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Arranger” means KeyBank National Association, in its capacities as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner hereunder.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.04(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit F or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.

Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Borrowing Base” has the meaning assigned to such term in the First Lien Credit Agreement.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Cleveland, Ohio are authorized or required by law to remain closed; and if such day relates to a Borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or a conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such Borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which dealings in dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.

Capital Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of the Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder.

Casualty Event” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate for any calendar year.

Change in Control” means (a) any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or its Subsidiaries, and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the holders of Equity Interests of

 

- 3 -


the Borrower shown on Schedule 1.02 hereto, any wholly-owned enterprise or subsidiary of any such voting member or any of their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 51% or more of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors of the Borrower, or (b) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members on the board of directors of the Borrower cease to be Persons who were either (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Borrower or (ii) appointed by directors so nominated.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans, as such commitment may be modified from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 12.04(b), together with any Incremental Term Loan Commitments. The commitment amounts for each Lender as of the date of this Agreement are set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I.

Consolidated Net Income” means with respect to the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such period by such other Person to the Borrower or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such transaction; (d) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period, (e) non-cash

 

- 4 -


gains, losses or adjustments under FASB Statement No. 133 as a result of changes in the fair market value of derivatives and (f) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets; and provided further that if the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of any Property during such period, then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or disposition, as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred on the first day of such period.

Consolidated Subsidiaries” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract (other than a contract under which a Person, or one or more Persons that otherwise constitute a Subsidiary of such Person, provides management, operation or similar services but does not control the policies of such Person (including the appointment of such management)) or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of the directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” such other Person. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

Debt” means, for any Person, each of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all reimbursement obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services; (d) all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; (g) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of such Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others; (i) obligations of such Person to deliver commodities, goods or services, including, without limitation, Hydrocarbons, in consideration of one or more advance payments, other than gas balancing arrangements, take or pay arrangements or other similar arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business; (j) obligations of such Person to pay for goods or services even if such goods or services are not actually received or utilized by such Person; (k) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (l) Disqualified Capital Stock of such Person; and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly

 

- 5 -


received payment. Provided however, the term “Debt” shall not include accruals for plugging and abandonment costs. The Debt of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP.

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which, mandatorily or at the option of the holder, it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in either case, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans or other obligations hereunder outstanding and all of the Commitments are terminated.

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

EBITDAX” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters (including any such quarter ending on such date of determination) plus the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such four fiscal quarter period: interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expenses and other similar non-cash charges (including non-cash expenses associated with the granting of stock options to employees and directors of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries), minus all non-cash income added to Consolidated Net Income; provided that for date for which EBITDAX is required to be determined pursuant to Section 9.01(a) or 9.01(b) that ends on or prior to December 31, 2012, EBITDAX shall be determined by calculating EBITDAX for the most recently ended fiscal quarter and multiplying by four.

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 6.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02).

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 12.04(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 12.04(b)(iii)).

Environmental Laws” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health, safety, the environment or the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is conducting or at any time has conducted business, or where any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is located, including without limitation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), as amended, the

 

- 6 -


Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements. The term “oil “ shall have the meaning specified in OPA, the terms “hazardous substance” and “Release” (or “threatened Release”) have the meanings specified in CERCLA, the terms “solid waste” and “disposal” (or “disposed”) have the meanings specified in RCRA and the term “oil and gas waste” shall mean those waste that are excluded from the definition of “hazardous waste” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. Section 261.4(b)(5) (“Section 261.4(b)(5)”); provided, however, that (a) in the event either OPA, CERCLA, RCRA or Section 261.4(b)(5) is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment and (b) to the extent the laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is located establish a meaning for “oil, “hazardous substance,” “Release,” “solid waste,” “disposal” or “oil and gas waste” which is broader than that specified in either OPA, CERCLA, RCRA or Section 261.4(b)(5), such broader meaning shall apply.

Environmental Permit” means any permit, registration, license, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.

ERISA Affiliate” means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” means (a) a “Reportable Event” described in section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than an award for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan in a distress termination under Section 4041(c) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, (e) receipt of a notice of withdrawal liability pursuant to section 4202 of ERISA or (f) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.

 

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Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

Excepted Liens” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, provided that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depository institution for any other purpose; (f) easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, that do not secure any monetary obligations and which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (g) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory

 

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obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business and (h) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced; provided, further that Liens described in clauses (a) through (e) shall remain “Excepted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced and no intention to subordinate the first priority Lien granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of such Excepted Liens.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) income or franchise taxes (however denominated) imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America or such other jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any Guarantor is located, (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender, any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 5.03(a) or Section 5.03(c), and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1 %) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Financial Officer” means, for any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Financial Officer means a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

Financial Statements” means the financial statement or statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries referred to in Section 7.04(a).

 

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First Lien Agent” means KeyBank National Association and any successor administrative agent under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

First Lien Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2007, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and the First Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, restated and/or otherwise modified or replaced or refinanced from time to time.

First Lien Lenders” means each of the lenders from time to time a party under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

First Lien Loan Documents” means, collectively, the First Lien Credit Agreement and each other “Loan Document” as defined therein.

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1.05.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government over the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any of their Properties, any Agent, or any Lender.

Governmental Requirement” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.

Guarantors” means, until it or any of them is released as a Guarantor pursuant to the Loan Documents:

(a) Rex Energy I, LLC,

(b) Rex Energy Operating Corp.,

(c) PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc.,

(d) Rex Energy IV, LLC

(e) R.E. Gas, and

 

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(f) each other Subsidiary that guarantees the Indebtedness pursuant to Section 8.14(b).

Guaranty and Collateral Agreement” means a Guaranty and Collateral Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, as the same may be supplemented from time to time by one or more joinder agreements.

Hazardous Material” means any substance regulated or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law and including, without limitation: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste, crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, or radon.

Highest Lawful Rate” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Indebtedness under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such laws from time to time in effect.

Hydrocarbon Interests” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

Increase Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(a).

Incremental Term Lender” means a Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Term Loan.

Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement” means an Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and one or more Incremental Term Lenders.

Incremental Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.07, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower.

 

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Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date” means the final maturity date of any Incremental Term Loan, as set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.

Incremental Term Loans” means loans made by one or more Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.07. Incremental Term Loans may be made in the form of additional Loans or, to the extent permitted by Section 2.07 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, Other Term Loans.

Indebtedness” means, without duplication, any and all amounts owing or to be owing by the Borrower or any Guarantor whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising or incurred under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in respect of any of the Loans made or any of the Notes or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof, including interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition or other action concerning bankruptcy or other similar proceedings, or any other obligations incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the above.

Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.03(b).

Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any other Person (other than a Guarantor) or subject to any other credit enhancement.

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.11.

Initial Reserve Report” means the report of Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc. dated as of November 22, 2011, with respect to certain Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of October 31, 2011.

Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent, the First Lien Agent and the Borrower.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04.

Interest Expense” means, for any period, the sum (determined without duplication) of the aggregate gross interest expense of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, including to the extent included in interest expense under GAAP: (a) amortization of debt discount, (b) capitalized interest and (c) the portion of any payments or accruals under Capital Leases allocable to interest expense, plus the portion of any payments or accruals under Synthetic Leases allocable to interest expense whether or not the same constitutes interest expense under GAAP; provided that for any date for which Interest Expense is required to be determined pursuant to Section 9.01(a) that ends on or prior to December 31, 2012, Interest Expense shall be determined by calculating Interest Expense for the most recently ended fiscal quarter and multiplying by four.

 

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Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three, six or nine months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including, without limitation, any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, the assumption of Debt of, the purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt of or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding ninety (90) days representing the purchase price of inventory or supplies sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person that constitutes a business unit or (d) the entering into of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation (including the deposit of any Equity Interests to be sold) with respect to, Debt or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person.

Keystone” means Keystone Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Annex I and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, and any Person that shall have become a party hereto as an Incremental Term Lender pursuant to Section 2.07.

 

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LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Market Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the LIBO Rate be less than 1.00%

Lien” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “Lien” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations.

Liquidity” means, as of any date, the sum of (a) the Borrowing Base less the Revolving Credit Exposures (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) of the First Lien Lenders as of such date, plus (b) all unrestricted cash held by the Borrower on such date (other than proceeds of the Loans).

Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement. Unless the context shall otherwise require, the term “Loans” shall include Incremental Term Loans.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Instruments and the Intercreditor Agreement.

Loan Party” means the Borrower or any Guarantor.

Majority Lenders” means, (a) if there are two or more Lenders, two or more Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans, or (b) if there is only one Lender, such Lender.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Guarantor to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document.

 

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Material Divestiture or Acquisition Date” means, the date of (a) any sale, assignment, farm-out, conveyance or other transfer of Oil and Gas Properties permitted by Section 9.12 if the consideration therefore exceeds $5,000,000 or (b) any acquisition by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of Oil and Gas Properties permitted by this Agreement if the consideration therefore exceeds $5,000,000.

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, as of any date, any Domestic Subsidiary that (a) is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and (b) together with its Subsidiaries, owns Property having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more.

Material Indebtedness” means any Debt (other than the Loans), or net obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in either case in principal amount exceeding $2,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value determined under the circumstances and in accordance with the provision of clause (a) of such term “Swap Termination Value”.

Maturity Date” means March 28, 2016.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

Mortgaged Property” means any Property owned by the Borrower or any Guarantor which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Instruments.

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee pension plan as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA covered by Title IV of ERISA that is a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) or 4001 (a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Cash Proceeds” means the cash proceeds of any issuance, offering, incurrence or sale of any Debt, net of all taxes and customary fees, commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith.

Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 12.02 and (ii) has been approved by the Majority Lenders.

Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.02(d) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

 

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NYMEX Price” means, as of the date of the determination thereof with respect to each of the appropriate crude oil or natural gas categories included in the then most recent Reserve Report, the prices for the 60 succeeding monthly futures contract prices (the “Five Year Strip”) and held constant thereafter based on the price of the average of the contract prices for the last twelve months of such Five Year Strip period, commencing with the month during which the determination is to be made, as quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the “NYMEX”) and published in a nationally recognized publication for such pricing as selected by the Administrative Agent, adjusted to account for the historical basis in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and held constant thereafter; provided, however, in the event that the NYMEX no longer provides futures contract price quotes for 60 month periods, the longest period of quotes of less than 60 months shall be used and held constant thereafter based on the average of the contract prices for the last twelve months of such period, and, if the NYMEX no longer provides such futures contract quotes or has ceased to operate, the Administrative Agent shall designate another nationally recognized commodities exchange to replace the NYMEX for purposes of the references to the NYMEX herein.

OID” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).

Oil and Gas Properties” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person, (a) in the case of any corporation, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or similar documents) of such Person, (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement (or similar documents) of such Person, (c) in the case of any limited partnership, the certificate of formation and limited partnership agreement (or similar documents) of such Person, (d) in the case of any general partnership, the partnership agreement (or similar document) of such Person and (e) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

 

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Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or Property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement and any other Loan Document.

Other Term Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(a).

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(d).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(d).

PBGC “ means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Borrower, a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) the Borrower or a Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate may have any liability or obligation, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, determined or determinable, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued and whether due or to become due.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by KeyBank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in Cleveland, Ohio; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. Such rate is set by KeyBank as a general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as KeyBank may deem appropriate; it being understood that many of KeyBank’s commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer and that KeyBank may make various commercial or other loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.

Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

Proved Reserves” means “Proved Reserves” as defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves (in this paragraph, the “Definitions”) promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question. “Proved Developed Producing Reserves” means Proved Reserves which are categorized as both “Developed” and “Producing” in the Definitions. “Proved Developed Nonproducing Reserves” means Proved Reserves which are categorized as both “Developed” and “Nonproducing “ in the Definitions.

 

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PV-10 Ratio” shall mean, on any date of determination, the ratio of Total Proved PV10 Value on such date to Total Debt on such date.

R.E. Gas” means R.E. Gas Development, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Redemption” means with respect to any Debt, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of such Debt. “Redeem” has the correlative meaning thereto.

Redetermination Date” means, with respect to any scheduled redetermination or any interim redetermination of the Borrowing Base under the First Lien Credit Agreement, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.07(d) of the First Lien Credit Agreement.

Refinancing Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(b).

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.04(c).

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Environmental Laws”.

Remedial Work” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10(a).

Required Lenders” means, (a) if there are two or more Lenders, two or more Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans, or (b) if there is only one Lender, such Lender.

Reserve Report” means a report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each January 1st or July 1st (or such other date in the event of any interim redetermination for which a Reserve Report is delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(b)) the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the economic assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at the time.

Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Financial Officer or any Vice President of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

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Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

RW Gathering” means RW Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.

Security Instruments” means the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, mortgages, deeds of trust and other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit E, and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Person (other than Swap Agreements with the Lenders or any Affiliate of a Lender or participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement) in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Indebtedness, the Notes, or this Agreement, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject, with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Subsidiary” means: (a) any Person of which at least a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, manager or other governing body of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any other class or classes of such Person 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 the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries or by the Borrower and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (b) any partnership of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

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Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more interest rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined by the counterparties to such Swap Agreements.

Synthetic Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the financial statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 80% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Total Debt” means, at any date, all Debt of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, excluding (i) non-cash obligations under FAS 133 and (ii) accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (for the deferred purchase price of Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not greater than sixty (60) days past the date of invoice or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP.

Total Proved PV10 Value” means, as of any date of determination thereof as to the Proved Reserves of the Loan Parties, the present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of future net revenues (i.e., after deducting production and ad valorem taxes and less future capital costs and operation expenses) from Proved Reserves of the Loan Parties utilizing the NYMEX Price, assuming that product costs thereafter remain constant on a per barrel of oil equivalent basis; provided, however, that with respect to volumes covered by Swap Agreements that would effectively result in the Borrower receiving greater or less than the NYMEX Price for such

 

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volumes as a result of payments made or received pursuant to the Swap Agreements, the contract price for such volumes under the Swap Agreements shall be utilized in lieu of the NYMEX Price. Solely for purposes of calculating Total Proved PV10 Value, Proved Developed Producing Reserves must comprise not less 60% of the Total Proved PV10 Value. The amount of Total Proved PV10 Value at any time shall be calculated on a pro forma basis for dispositions and acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties consummated by the Loan Parties since the date of the Reserve Report most recently delivered pursuant hereto (provided that, in the case of any such acquisition, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Reserve Report evaluating the Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties subject thereto in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent).

Transactions” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and each other Loan Document, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, and the grant of Liens by the Borrower on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments and (b) each Guarantor, the execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Indebtedness and the other obligations under the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement by such Guarantor and such Guarantor’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Borrower or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or are owned by the Borrower and one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

Yield Differential” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(b).

Section 1.03 Types of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings, respectively, may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan” or a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “or” is not exclusive. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (b) any reference herein to any law shall be

 

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construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to and including” and (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

Section 1.05 Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP. 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 financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements except for changes in which the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to the Administrative Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(a); provided that, unless the Borrower and the Majority Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing, no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants contained herein is computed such that all such computations shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented consistently with prior periods.

ARTICLE II

CREDITS

Section 2.01 Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Loan to the Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Commitment. Each Lender having an Incremental Term Loan Commitment hereby, severally and not jointly, agrees on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed its Incremental Term Loan Commitment. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of Loans may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.

(a) Borrowings; Several Obligations. The Loans made on the Effective Date shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

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(b) Types of Loans. Subject to Section 3.03, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings. At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of six Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

(d) Notes. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A, dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, as of the effective date of the Assignment and Assumption, payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of its Commitment (or if such Commitments have terminated, the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Loans) as of such date, and otherwise duly completed. In the event that any Lender’s Commitment increases pursuant to Section 2.07, the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered on the effective date of such increase, a new Note payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Commitment and outstanding Loans after giving effect to such increase, and otherwise duly completed (and the prior Note shall be destroyed or, upon request of the Borrower, returned to the Borrower with an indication that the same has been discharged). The date, amount, Type, interest rate and, if applicable, Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be endorsed by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing of the Loans on the Effective Date, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the Effective Date, and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business Day before the Effective Date. Such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in substantially in the form of Exhibit B and signed by the Borrower. Such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

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(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.04 Interest Elections.

(a) Conversion and Continuance. The Borrowing of the Loans on the Effective Date shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.04. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b) Interest Election Requests. To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.04, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone, fax (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in substantially the form of Exhibit C and signed by the Borrower.

 

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(c) Information in Interest Election Requests. Each telephonic, fax, other approved electronic transmission and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Notice to Lenders by the Administrative Agent. Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) Effect of Failure to Deliver Timely Interest Election Request and Events of Default. If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing: (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or, at the end of its applicable Interest Period, continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing (and any Interest Election Request that requests such conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective) and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowings; Evidence of Obligations.

(a) Funding by Lenders. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the Effective Date (or in the case of Incremental Term Loans, on the proposed date thereof) by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

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(b) Presumption of Funding by the Lenders. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the Effective Date (or in the case of Incremental Term Loans, on the proposed date thereof) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.05(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

Section 2.06 Termination of Commitments. Unless previously terminated, all Commitments (other than Incremental Term Loan Commitments) shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Effective Date.

Section 2.07 Incremental Term Loan Commitments.

(a) The Borrower may make one or more requests, by written notice to the Administrative Agent at any time after the Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date, Incremental Term Loan Commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 for all such requests from one or more Incremental Term Lenders, which may include any existing Lender (each of which shall be entitled to agree or decline to participate in its sole discretion); provided that each Incremental Term Lender, if not already a Lender hereunder, shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, and in no event shall the Borrower or any Affiliate of Borrower be an Incremental Term Lender. Such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $10,000,000), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are requested to become effective (which shall not be less than 10 Business Days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent) (the “Increase Effective Date”) and (iii) whether such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are to be for Loans or commitments to make term loans with terms different from the Loans (“Other Term Loans”).

(b) The Borrower may seek Incremental Term Loan Commitments from existing Lenders (each of which shall be entitled to agree or decline to participate in its sole discretion) and additional banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders who will become Incremental Term Lenders in connection therewith. The Borrower and each Incremental Term

 

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Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender. Each Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement shall specify the terms of the Incremental Term Loans to be made thereunder; provided that, without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, (i) the final maturity date of any Other Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Maturity Date and (ii) the average life to maturity of any Other Term Loans shall be no shorter than the average life to maturity of the Loans, and provided further that, if the initial yield on such Other Term Loans (as determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the sum of (x) the amount by which the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such Other Term Loans exceeds the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would be in effect for a three-month Interest Period commencing on such date) and (y) if such Other Term Loans are initially made at a discount or the Lenders making the same receive an upfront fee (other than a customary arrangement or underwriting fee) directly or indirectly from the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (the amount of such discount or upfront fee, expressed as a percentage of the Other Term Loans being referred to herein as “OID”), the amount of such OID divided by the lesser of (x) the average life to maturity of such Other Term Loans and (y) four), exceeds by more than 100 basis points the sum of (A) the margin then in effect for Loans that are Eurodollar Loans plus (B) one-quarter of the amount of OID initially paid in respect of the Loans (the amount of such excess above 100 basis points being referred to herein as the “Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin then in effect for each such affected Type of Loans shall automatically be increased by the Yield Differential, effective upon the making of the Other Term Loans. The other terms of the Incremental Term Loans and the Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement to the extent not consistent with the terms applicable to the Loans hereunder shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, to the extent that such Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement contains any covenants, events of default, representations or warranties or other rights or provisions that place greater restrictions on the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries are more favorable to the Lenders making such Other Term Loans, the existing Lenders shall be entitled to the benefit of such rights and provisions so long as such Other Term Loans remain outstanding and such additional rights and provisions shall be deemed automatically incorporated by reference into this Agreement, mutatis mutandis, as if fully set forth herein, without any further action required on the part of any Person effective as of the date of such Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment evidenced thereby as provided for in Section 12.02. Any such deemed amendment may be memorialized in writing by the Administrative Agent with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and furnished to the other parties hereto.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall be permitted without the consent of all Lenders if the Loan Parties sell, assign or otherwise transfer Oil and Gas Properties that constitute Collateral after the Effective Date for consideration that exceeds, in the aggregate, $25,000,000, and (ii) no Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall become effective under this Section 2.07 unless (A) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are

 

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true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such specified earlier date, (B) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result from the incurrence of such Incremental Term Loans, (C) the Administrative Agent shall have received legal opinions, board resolutions and other closing certificates and documentation consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, (D) the Borrower would be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Term Loans, (E) the Administrative Agent has received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it evidencing a permanent reduction in the Borrowing Base of $0.25 for each $1.00 of Incremental Term Loans incurred, and (F) Administrative Agent shall have received an officer’s certificate on the Increase Effective Date executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that (x) certifies as to compliance with subclauses (A), (B) and (D) of clause (ii) of this paragraph (c), (y) attaches true and complete copies of any documents evidencing the reduction in the Borrowing Base contemplated by subclause (E) of clause (ii) of this paragraph (c), and (z) contains the calculations (in reasonable detail) required by subclause (D) of clause (ii) of this paragraph (c).

(d) Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may take any and all action as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that all Incremental Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of outstanding Loans on a pro rata basis, and the Borrower agrees that Section 5.02 shall apply to any conversion of Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to effect the foregoing.

ARTICLE III

PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans. The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of the Loans on the Maturity Date or the Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date, as applicable.

Section 3.02 Interest.

(a) ABR Loans. The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(b) Eurodollar Loans. The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(c) Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee payable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.05 or any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, then all Loans outstanding, in the case of an Event of Default, including such overdue amount, in the

 

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case of a failure to pay amounts when due, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the respective rates then in effect, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, until such Event of Default has been cured or such amount is fully paid, as the case may be.

(d) Interest Payment Dates. Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and on the Maturity Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Maturity Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) Interest Rate Computations. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and be binding upon the parties hereto.

Section 3.03 Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Majority Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing for an Interest Period having the duration of such Interest Period shall be ineffective, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing for an Interest Period having the duration of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

 

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Section 3.04 Prepayments.

(a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.04(b).

(b) Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

(c) Mandatory Prepayment.

(i) In the event that any Loan Party or any subsidiary of any Loan Party shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance, offering, sale or incurrence of Debt for borrowed money of any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than Debt permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (i), inclusive, and clause (k) of Section 9.02), the Borrower shall substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the third Business Day next following) the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by such Loan Party or such subsidiary, apply an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto to prepay the outstanding Loans; provided that such Net Cash Proceeds shall only be required to be applied to the extent that (i) no First Lien Event of Default has occurred and (ii) such Net Cash Proceeds remain after any mandatory prepayments required by the First Lien Loan Agreement (or any waiver, consent, amendment or modification thereof entered into in order to permit such issuance or incurrence of Debt for borrowed money of any Loan Party or any subsidiary of any Loan Party) shall have been made in accordance with the terms thereof.

(ii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment under paragraph (c)(i) at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of prepayment. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount of such prepayment and shall specify the prepayment date. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.

(iii) Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be applied, first, ratably to any ABR Borrowings then outstanding, and, second, to any Eurodollar Borrowings then outstanding, and if more than one Eurodollar Borrowing is then outstanding, to each such Eurodollar Borrowing in order of priority beginning with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the least number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto and ending with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the most number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

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(iv) Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowings. Prepayments pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

Section 3.05 Fees.

(a) In connection with any prepayment of the Loans made or required to be made pursuant to Section 3.04(a) or 3.04(c)(i) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, a prepayment fee equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such prepayment.

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in the Fee Letter between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent dated November 21, 2011. All such fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable.

ARTICLE IV

PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS

Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

(a) Payments by the Borrower. The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in Section 12.01, except that payments pursuant to Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

 

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(b) Application of Insufficient Payments. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c) Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Section 4.03 Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(a) or Section 4.02 then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

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Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds. The Security Instruments contain a collateral assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Indebtedness and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding such assignment contained in such Security Instruments, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE V

INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY

Section 5.01 Increased Costs.

(a) Changes in Law. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate);

(ii) subject any Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender in connection with any such Loan (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c) Certificates. A certificate of a Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the computation of the amount or amounts (as determined reasonably and in good faith) necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall be delivered to the Borrower, and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof. Each such certificate shall contain the representation and warranty of the Person sending it that the Borrower is being treated no less favorably with respect to amounts being charged under Section 5.01(a) and (b) than are other similarly situated customers of such Lenders.

(d) Effect of Failure or Delay in Requesting Compensation. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section 5.01 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 5.02 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market.

A certificate of any Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the computation thereof any amount or amounts (determined reasonably and in good faith) that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 5.02 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

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Section 5.03 Taxes

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be required to deduct or withhold any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions or withholdings (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03(a)), the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall make such deductions or withholdings and (iii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender as to the amount of such payment or liability under this Section 5.03 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or a Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the

 

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foregoing, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (is such reasonable amount of copies requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender, whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party;

(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (I) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (II) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3(B) of the Code, or (III) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (B) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or

(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(f) Tax Refunds. If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.03, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 5.03 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section 5.03 shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

(g) FATCA. If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Section 5.04 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Designation of Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, or any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 5.05, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would (A) eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03, as the case may be, in the future or (B) eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 5.05, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01 or gives a notice pursuant to Section 5.05, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, (iii) any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder or is or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 12.04)), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.01 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.03, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.

Section 5.05 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its applicable lending office to honor its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans either generally or having a particular Interest Period hereunder, then (a) such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof and such Lender’s obligation to make such Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended (the “Affected Loans”) until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain such Eurodollar Loans and (b) all Affected Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be made instead as ABR Loans (and, if such Lender so requests by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, all Affected Loans of such Lender then outstanding shall be automatically converted into ABR Loans on the date specified by such Lender in such notice) and, to the extent that Affected Loans are so made as (or converted into) ABR Loans, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its ABR Loans.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 6.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders shall have received all facility and administrative fees and all other fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of Jones Day, counsel to the Administrative Agent).

(b) [Reserved.]

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of the Borrower or such Guarantor to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the Borrower or such Guarantor (y) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or such Guarantor is a party and (z) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the Organizational Documents of the Borrower and such Guarantor, certified as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from the Borrower to the contrary.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Borrower and each Guarantor.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received a compliance certificate which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1, duly and properly executed by a Responsible Officer and dated as of the date of Effective Date.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed Notes payable to the order of each Lender in a principal amount equal to its Commitment dated as of the date hereof.

 

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(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments, including the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and the other Security Instruments described on Exhibit E. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, the Administrative Agent shall:

(i) be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens identified in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on at least 80% of the total value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report

(ii) to the extent such Equity Interests are certificated, have received (or shall be satisfied that the First Lien Administrative Agent shall have received) certificates, together with undated, blank stock powers for each such certificate, representing all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of the Guarantors; and

(iii) be reasonably satisfied that it has a Lien on all Property of the Borrower and the Guarantors, as contemplated by the parties hereto.

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., special counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of insurance coverage of the Borrower evidencing that the Borrower is carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.12.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received title information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth the status of title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report.

(l) The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the environmental condition of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower has received all consents and approvals required by Section 7.03.

(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 7.04(a) and the Initial Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate covering the matters described in Section 8.12(c).

(o) The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors for each of the following jurisdictions: Illinois, Indiana, Texas and any other jurisdiction reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent; other than those being assigned or released on or prior to the Effective Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.03.

 

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(p) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the Borrower has purchased one or more commodity hedges (i) with one or more Approved Counterparties, (ii) which have aggregate notional volumes of at least 60% (but not more than the amount permitted pursuant to Section 9.18) of the reasonably estimated projected crude oil production and at least 60% (but not more than the amount permitted pursuant to Section 9.18) of the reasonably estimated projected natural gas production, in each case, from its proved developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties as determined by reference to the Initial Reserve Report for a period of 12 months, provided however, that if the Borrower’s current commodity hedges exceed such percentage, the Borrower will not be required to terminate any existing hedges.

(q) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent or special counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(r) The Borrower shall have minimum Liquidity on the Effective Date of no less than $50,000,000.

(s) The Administrative Agent and the First Lien Agent shall have executed, and there shall be in full force and effect, the Intercreditor Agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 12.02) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on December 31, 2011 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 11.04, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 6.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

Section 7.01 Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all corporate or equivalent requisite power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power, authority, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability. The Transactions are within the Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s corporate or equivalent powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or equivalent action including, without limitation, any action required to be taken by any other Person, whether interested or disinterested, in order to ensure the due authorization of the Transactions. Each Loan Document to which the Borrower and each Guarantor is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and such Guarantor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and such Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require, as a condition thereto, any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including members, shareholders or any class of directors or managers, whether interested or disinterested, of the Borrower or any other Person) to be obtained or made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to any statutory law or regulation applicable to it, nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document against the Borrower or any Guarantor as herein provided or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than (i) the recording and filing of the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement and (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause a Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other material instrument binding upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or such Subsidiary and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any consensual Lien by the Borrower or any Subsidiary on any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).

Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

(a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders (i) its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, reported on by Malin, Berquist & Company, LLP or other independent public accountants, (ii) its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2011, certified by its chief financial officer and (iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of the Effective Date. The financial statements described in clause (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, except as therein provided, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of such unaudited quarterly financial statements.

 

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(b) Since December 31, 2010, (i) there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past business practices.

(c) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has on the date hereof any material Debt (including Disqualified Capital Stock) or any contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements or disclosed in any Schedules provided for herein prior to the Effective Date.

Section 7.05 Litigation.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.05, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

(b) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed in Schedule 7.05 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.06 Environmental Matters. Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 7.06 or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower:

(a) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are, and within all applicable statute of limitation periods have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;

(b) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have obtained all Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their Properties, with all such Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and none of Borrower or its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such existing Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing Environmental Permit will be protested or denied;

(c) there are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower threatened against the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Properties or as a result of any operations at the Properties;

 

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(d) none of the Properties contain or have contained any: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos-containing materials; or (iii) landfills or dumps; (iv) hazardous waste management units as defined pursuant to RCRA or any comparable state law; or (v) sites on or nominated for the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or any state remedial priority list promulgated or published pursuant to any comparable state law;

(e) there has been no Release or threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties, there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals, or monitorings of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws at such Properties and none of such Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real property;

(f) neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real properties offsite the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties and there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice;

(g) there has been no exposure of any Person or property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation and there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of notice regarding such exposure; and

(h) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have provided to Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters (including matters relating to any alleged noncompliance with or liability under Environmental Laws) that are in any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults.

(a) Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary (i) is in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and (ii) possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other authorizations granted by Governmental Authorities necessary for the ownership of its Property and the conduct of its business, except in either case where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default or would require the Borrower or a Subsidiary to Redeem or make any offer to Redeem under any indenture, note, credit agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness is outstanding or by which the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their Properties is bound.

 

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(c) No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 7.08 Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 7.09 Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes and other governmental charges are, in the reasonable opinion of the Borrower, adequate. No Tax Lien (other than an Excepted Lien of the type in (a) of the definition thereof) has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax or other such governmental charge.

Section 7.10 ERISA.

(a) Except for such noncompliance as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate have complied with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.

(c) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, no act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i) or (l) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA.

(d) No Plan (other than a defined contribution plan) or any trust created under any such Plan has been terminated in a distress termination under section 4041(c) of ERISA since January 1, 2000. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, no liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has been incurred with respect to any Plan. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, no ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred.

 

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(e) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof, and no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan.

(f) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal year, exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA.

(g) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower, the Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time.

(h) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower, the Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any Multiemployer Plan.

(i) Except for amounts less than $100,000, neither the Borrower, the Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security under section 401(a)(29) of the Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in current liability for the Plan.

Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could, if breached or violated by, enforced against, or adversely determined in relation to, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. There are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report prepared by the chief engineer of the Borrower (and with respect to a Reserve Report prepared by an Approved Petroleum Engineer, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower), which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein.

 

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Section 7.12 Insurance. The Borrower maintains, and has caused to be maintained for each of its Subsidiaries, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans are endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear, and such policies name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens. Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than (a) the First Lien Loan Documents, (b) agreements evidencing Debt permitted pursuant to Section 9.02(j) and (c) Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c), but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Indebtedness and the Loan Documents, except, in each case, as provided in Section 9.16.

Section 7.14 Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries and the Borrower has no Foreign Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary on such schedule is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary unless otherwise indicated.

Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices. The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Rex Energy Corporation; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is ###-###-#### (or, in each case, as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01(n) in accordance with Section 12.01). The Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 12.01 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(n) and Section 12.01(c)). Each Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.14 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(n)).

 

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Section 7.16 Properties; Titles, Etc.

(a) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and to all its personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.03 and such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially distract from the value thereof to, or the use thereof in, the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, the Borrower or the Subsidiary specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Borrower or such Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such Property.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in all material respects are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to conduct their business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

(d) All of the personal Properties of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses in all material respects are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards, except for such Properties as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) The Borrower and each Subsidiary owns, or possesses the right to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and such Subsidiary does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.17 Maintenance of Properties. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties (and Properties unitized therewith) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been maintained, operated and developed by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in a good and workmanlike manner

 

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and in conformity in all material respects with all applicable Governmental Requirements and in conformity in all material respects with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries are a party. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (ii) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental Requirements, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary. All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary to conduct normal operations in all material respects are being maintained in a condition reasonably adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in a manner consistent with the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.17 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.18 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(c), on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding one-half bcf of gas (on an mcf equivalent basis) in the aggregate.

Section 7.19 Marketing of Production. Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.19, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (with respect to all of which contracts the Borrower represents that it or its Subsidiaries are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Hydrocarbons (including, without limitation, calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (b) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date hereof.

Section 7.20 Swap Agreements. Schedule 7.20, as of the date hereof, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.01(f), sets forth a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

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Section 7.21 Use of Loans. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used (a) to finance the acquisition of certain oil and gas leases in Ohio and Pennsylvania, (b) to pay amounts outstanding under the First Lien Credit Agreement, and (c) for general corporate purposes of the Borrower. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board). No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.

Section 7.22 Solvency. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Borrower and the Guarantors, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Debt of the Borrower and the Guarantors on a consolidated basis, as the Debt becomes absolute and matures, (b) each of the Borrower and the Guarantors will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Borrower and the Guarantors and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Borrower and the Guarantors will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

ARTICLE VIII

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG, LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

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(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

(c) Certificate of Financial Officer — Compliance. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit D-2 hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 8.13(b) and Section 9.01 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 7.03(a) that would affect the preparation of the financial statements most-recently required to be delivered in accordance with Section 8.01(a) and (b) or the computation of any financial ratio in Section 9.01 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate.

(d) Certificate of Accounting Firm — Defaults. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a), a certificate of the independent accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines).

(e) Certificate of Financial Officer — Consolidating Information. If, at any time, all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower are not Consolidated Subsidiaries, then concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth consolidating spreadsheets that show all Subsidiaries and the eliminating entries, in such form as would be presentable to the independent accountants of the Borrower.

(f) Certificate of Financial Officer – Swap Agreements. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) and Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 7.19, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

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(g) Certificate of Insurer — Insurance Coverage. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01 (a), a certificate of insurance coverage from each insurer or one or more insurance agencies with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of the applicable policies.

(h) Other Accounting Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or letter submitted to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, or the board of directors or other appropriate governing body of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, to such letter or report.

(i) SEC and Other Filings; Reports to Shareholders. Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its security holders generally, as the case may be.

(j) Notices Under Material Instruments. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any financial statement, report or notice furnished by the Borrower to any holder of debt securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation, indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement (including the First Lien Credit Agreement), other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 8.01.

(k) Lists of Purchasers. Promptly following the written request of the Administrative Agent, a list of all Persons, as of a specified date, purchasing Hydrocarbons from the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

(l) Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties. In the event the Borrower or any Subsidiary intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any Oil or Gas Properties or any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.12, prior written notice of such disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(m) Notice of Casualty Events. Prompt written notice, and in any event within three Business Days following the knowledge thereof by, or the services of process on, (as the case may be) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, of the occurrence of any Casualty Event or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event.

(n) Information Regarding Borrower and Guarantors. Prompt written notice (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days thereafter) of any change (i) in the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s company or corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s identity or company or corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated, organized or formed, (iv) in the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s federal taxpayer identification number.

 

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(o) Production Report and Lease Operating Statements. Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report setting forth, for each calendar month during the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, the volume of production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.

(p) Notices of Certain Changes. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any amendment, modification or supplement to the First Lien Loan Documents, Organizational Documents, any preferred stock designation or any other organic document of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

(q) Ratings Change. Promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt or any other Material Indebtedness, written notice of such rating change.

(r) Other Requested Information. Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

(s) Material Divestiture or Acquisition. Upon any Material Divestiture or Acquisition Date, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate from a Responsible Officer that attaches reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 9.01(d).

(t) Notice of Senior Debt Issuance. Written notice at least five (5) days prior to the offering of any Debt as contemplated by Section 9.02(j), specifying the amount thereof and the anticipated date of closing.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(a), (b), (h), (i) or (j), to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC, may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Lender on the date on which the Borrower notifies the Agent such documents (i) have been posted, or on which the Borrower provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed in Section 12.01; or (ii) are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting by the Borrower of its Annual Reports on form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

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Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary not previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent) that, in either case, if adversely determined (and with respect to any threat, reasonably sustainable in the Borrower’s good faith determination), could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000;

(d) the occurrence of any of the events described in Sections 10.01(h), (i) or (j) with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and

(e) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section 8.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, conversion, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.11.

Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities of the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the seizure or levy of any material Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

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Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents. The Borrower will pay the Notes in accordance with the terms thereof, and the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to:

(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all applicable Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery and facilities.

(c) promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder, except where (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions, (ii) it has set aside adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (iii) the failure to so act could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the forfeiture of any of its material Property.

(d) promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, except where (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions, (ii) it has set aside adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (iii) the failure to so act could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the forfeiture of any of its material Property.

(e) to the extent the Borrower is not the operator of any Property, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 8.06; provided, however, in no event shall it be required to expend any amounts, incur any obligations or expose itself to any economic consequences as a requirement to comply with this Section 8.06(e).

 

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Section 8.07 Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and such policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, in each case, subject to applicable safety standards, applicable privilege and confidentiality restrictions, and restrictions of owners of such records or properties who are neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary.

Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where (i) such law, rule, regulation or order is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted or (ii) the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.10 Environmental Matters.

(a) The Borrower shall: (i) comply, and shall cause its Properties and operations and each Subsidiary and each Subsidiary’s Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, the breach of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not dispose of or otherwise release, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to dispose of or otherwise release, any oil, oil and gas waste, hazardous substance, or solid waste on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties or any other Property to the extent caused by the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the disposal or release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file, and shall cause each Subsidiary to timely obtain or file, all notices, permits, licenses, exemptions, approvals, registrations or other authorizations, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each Subsidiary to promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair,

 

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restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “Remedial Work”) in the event any Remedial Work is required or reasonably necessary under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future disposal or other release of any oil, oil and gas waste, hazardous substance or solid waste on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) establish and implement, and shall cause each Subsidiary to establish and implement, such policies of environmental audit and compliance as may be necessary to continuously determine and assure that the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ obligations under this Section 8.10(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Borrower will promptly, but in no event later than five days of the occurrence of a triggering event, notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any threatened demand or lawsuit by any landowner or other third party against the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or their Properties of which the Borrower has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws (excluding routine testing and corrective action) if the Borrower reasonably anticipates that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $1,000,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.

(c) The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, provide environmental audits and tests in accordance with American Society of Testing Materials standards upon request by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and no more than once per year in the absence of any Event of Default (or as otherwise required to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Governmental Authority), in connection with any future acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties or other Properties.

Section 8.11 Further Assurances.

(a) The Borrower at its sole expense will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents, including the Notes, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Indebtedness, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, or to evidence an increase in the Applicable Margin to the extent required by the definition thereof, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Borrower or any other Guarantor where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

 

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Section 8.12 Reserve Reports.

(a) On or before March 1st and September 1st of each year, commencing March 1, 2012, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the immediately preceding January 1st and July 1st. The Reserve Report as of January 1 of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and the July 1 Reserve Report of each year shall be prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report. Each Reserve Report shall be accompanied by a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, prepared by the applicable Approved Petroleum Engineers or the chief engineer of Borrower, as applicable, that sets forth as of the effective date of the Reserve Report it is delivered with, projections of future net income from Proved Reserves attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries using pricing and cost assumptions as set forth in the definition of NYMEX Price and Total Proved PV10 Value.

(b) In the event of an unscheduled redetermination of the Borrowing Base under the First Lien Loan Agreement, the Borrower shall concurrently furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Reserve Report delivered to the First Lien Agent in connection with such redetermination.

(c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the factual information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the Borrower or its Subsidiaries owns good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.18 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination under the First Lien Loan Agreement except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.19 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof, (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and demonstrating the percentage of the total value of the Oil and Gas Properties that the value of such Mortgaged Properties represent, and (vii) attached thereto are reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 9.01(d).

 

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Section 8.13 Title Information.

(a) On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 8.12(a), the Borrower will deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering enough of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have received together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 80% of the total value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

(b) If the Borrower has provided title information for additional Properties under Section 8.13(a), the Borrower shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions (other than, of a (y) nature or type that constitutes a permitted Lien pursuant to Section 9.03 or (z) economically insignificant nature) exist with respect to such additional Properties, either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by Section 9.03 raised by such information, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with no title defects or exceptions except for Excepted Liens (other than Excepted Liens described in clauses (e), (g) and (h) of such definition and other than, of a (y) nature or type that constitutes a permitted Lien pursuant to Section 9.03 or (z) economically insignificant nature) having an equivalent value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 80% of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

(c) If the Borrower is unable to cure any title defect requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be cured pursuant to Section 8.13(b) within such 60-day period or the Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering 80% of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report, such default shall not be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Majority Lenders shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. To the extent that the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders are not satisfied with title to any Oil and Gas Properties after the 60-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Oil and Gas Properties shall not count towards the eighty percent (80%) requirement.

Section 8.14 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.

(a) In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base under the First Lien Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in Section 8.12(c)(vi)) to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties represent at least 80% of the total value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production. In the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not represent at least 80% of such total value, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause its

 

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Subsidiaries to, grant (from its available unencumbered Property), within thirty (30) days of delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.12(c), to the Administrative Agent as security for the Indebtedness a first-priority Lien interest (provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties will represent at least 80% of such total value. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Domestic Subsidiary places a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(b).

(b) In the event that (i) the Borrower determines that any Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary or (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary incurs or guarantees any Debt (other than Debt of the nature described at clause (c) of the definition of the defined term “Debt”), the Borrower shall promptly cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Indebtedness pursuant to the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement. In connection therewith, the Borrower shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (A) execute and deliver a supplement to the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement executed by such Subsidiary, (B) pledge all of the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary (including, without limitation, delivery (if applicable) of original certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (C) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.

Section 8.15 ERISA Compliance. The Borrower will promptly furnish and will cause the Subsidiaries and any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent (i) promptly after receipt of a written request by the Administrative Agent, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder, filed with the United States Secretary of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC, (ii) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any “prohibited transaction,” as described in section 406 of ERISA or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the principal Financial Officer, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action the Borrower, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (iii) immediately upon receipt thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan. With respect to each Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary and ERISA Affiliate to, (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of section 412 of the Code (determined without regard to subsections (d), (e), (f) and (k) thereof) and of section 302 of ERISA (determined without regard to sections 303, 304 and 306 of ERISA), and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA.

 

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Section 8.16 Swap Agreements. The Borrower shall maintain the hedge position established by the Swap Agreements required under Section 6.01(p) during the period specified therein. In addition, if the Loans and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have not been paid in full on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with evidence, semi-annually, on each Redetermination Date thereafter, that it has purchased and shall maintain one or more commodity hedges (i) with one or more Approved Counterparties, (ii) which have aggregate notional volumes of at least 60% (but not more than the amount permitted pursuant to Section 9.18) of the reasonably estimated projected crude oil production and at least 60% (but not more than the amount permitted pursuant to Section 9.18) of the reasonably estimated projected natural gas production, in each case, from its proved developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties as determined by reference to the most recent Reserve Report for a period of 36 months. The Borrower shall neither assign, terminate or unwind any Swap Agreements required to be maintained by Section 6.01(p) or this Section 8.16 nor sell any such Swap Agreements if the effect of such action (when taken together with any other Swap Agreements executed contemporaneously with the taking of such action) would have the effect of canceling its positions under such Swap Agreements required hereby, unless, in each event, an event of default has occurred thereunder, and it is the non-defaulting party, or a termination event has occurred thereunder, and it is not the affected party, and it has notified the Administrative Agent of any such occurrence.

Section 8.17 Marketing Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (a) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from their proved Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, (b) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from proved Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries has the right to market pursuant to joint operating agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (c) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (i) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e. corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (ii) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.

Section 8.18 Post-Closing Agreements. The Borrower shall cause local counsel in each state in which a mortgage or deed of trust is filed naming the Administrative Agent as the secured party to issue opinions in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering the matters outlined in Exhibit H hereto, within 10 days of the Effective Date.

 

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ARTICLE IX

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

Section 9.01 Financial Covenants.

(a) Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, permit its ratio of EBITDAX for the period ending on such day to Interest Expense for the period of the four fiscal quarters ending on such day to be less than 3.0 to 1.0.

(b) Ratio of Total Debt to EBITDAX. The Borrower will not, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, permit its ratio of Total Debt as of such date to EBITDAX for the period ending on such day to be greater than (i) 4.25 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ending prior to March 31, 2013 and (ii) 4.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2013 and each fiscal quarter thereafter.

(c) Current Ratio. The Borrower will not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, its ratio of (i) consolidated current assets (including the unused amount of the total Commitments (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), but excluding non-cash assets under FAS 133) as of such day to (ii) consolidated current liabilities (excluding non-cash obligations under FAS 133 and unused availability under the First Lien Credit Agreement) as of such day to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

(d) PV-10 Ratio. The Borrower will not permit its PV-10 Ratio as of any Redetermination Date or any Material Divestiture or Acquisition Date, to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.

Section 9.02 Debt. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

(a) the Notes or other Indebtedness or any guaranty of or suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Indebtedness.

(b) Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 9.02, and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of each such Debt has not increased at the time of such refinancing, funding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, (ii) the terms related to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extending Debt, and of any agreement entered into or of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no more restrictive in any material respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary then the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Debt being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt does not exceed the range of the market interest rates then available

 

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to the obligor thereunder for comparable transactions, and (iii) if such Debt is subordinated to the Indebtedness, the terms relating to subordination of any such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extending Debt are no less favorable to the Lenders and the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Debt being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (“Refinancing Debt”).

(c) accounts payable and accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services, from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not greater than sixty (60) days past the date of invoice or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP.

(d) Debt under Capital Leases not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time.

(e) Debt associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements in connection with the operation of the Oil and Gas Properties.

(f) intercompany Debt between the Borrower and any Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 9.05(e); provided that (i) such Debt is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than the Borrower or one of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, (ii) any such Debt owed by either the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Indebtedness on terms set forth in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and (iii) any such Debt shall not have any scheduled amortization prior to March 1, 2013.

(g) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

(h) guarantees of the Borrower and any Guarantor in respect of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder.

(i) Debt under the First Lien Loan Agreement, and Refinancing Debt in respect thereof in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $550,000,000; provided that (i) such Debt shall be created under a single credit facility, and (ii) such credit facility shall be revolving in nature and the availability of credit extensions thereunder shall be determined by reference to a “borrowing base,” which shall be determined in a manner substantially similar to the manner of the determination of the Borrowing Base as set forth in the First Lien Credit Agreement as of the date hereof.

(j) unsecured senior or unsecured senior subordinated Debt securities and any guarantees thereof; provided that: (i) the Borrower shall have complied with Section 8.01(t); (ii) the proceeds of such Debt are sufficient to pay the Indebtedness in full (after giving effect to any mandatory prepayment required to be made under the First Lien Credit Agreement); (iii) both before and after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Debt, no default or event of default exists or would exist under the First Lien Credit Agreement; (iv) the Loan Parties are permitted to use the proceeds of such Debt to prepay the Indebtedness in full under the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement and all conditions to the prepayment of Indebtedness included in the First Lien Credit Agreement have been satisfied; and (v) the proceeds of such Debt are used to prepay the Indebtedness in accordance with Section 3.04(c).

 

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(k) other Debt not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

Section 9.03 Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

(a) Liens securing the payment of any Indebtedness.

(b) Excepted Liens.

(c) Liens securing Capital Leases permitted by Section 9.02(d) but only on the Property under lease.

(d) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 9.03 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) neither the property nor the description of the property covered thereby is changed other than as a result of maintenance capital expenditures, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased other than as contemplated by Section 9.02(b), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed other than in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 9.11, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 9.02(b).

(e) Liens on Property not constituting collateral for the Indebtedness and not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Section 9.03; provided that the aggregate principal or face amount of all Debt secured under this Section 9.03(e) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time.

(f) Liens on the Property of a Person which becomes a Subsidiary, or Property acquired after the date hereof securing Debt permitted by Section 9.02; provided that (i) such Liens existed at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or such Property is acquired, as the case may be, and were not created in anticipation thereof, (ii) no such Lien covers any other Property of the Borrower or a Guarantor, and (iii) the amount of Debt secured thereby is not increased.

(g) Liens securing Debt permitted by Section 9.02(i); provided that such Liens shall not encumber any Property that is not subject to a Lien (subject to the priorities set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement) in favor of, or for the benefit of, the Lenders to secure the Indebtedness.

Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.

(a) Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, return any capital to its stockholders or make any distribution of its Property to its Equity Interest holders, except (a) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to

 

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its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), (b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests and (c) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(b) Redemption or Repayment of Subordinated Debt. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to: (i) call, make or offer to make any Redemption of or otherwise Redeem (whether optional or mandatory and whether in whole or in part) or repay any subordinated Debt permitted to be incurred hereunder except for a payment of interest or principal at its scheduled payment date and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Debt or at any time with proceeds from a sale or issuance of Equity Interests; (ii) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any notes evidencing any subordinated Debt permitted hereunder or any indenture, agreement, instrument, certificate or other document relating to any subordinated Debt permitted hereunder if (A) the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver is to shorten the final maturity, create amortization of principal thereof, or increase the amount of any payment of principal thereof or increase the interest rate or shorten any period for payment of interest thereon or modify the method of calculating the interest rate, (B) such action requires the payment of a consent, amendment, waiver or other similar fee on the stated principal amount thereof, (C) such action adds covenants, events of default or other agreements to the extent more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement, or (D) such action adds collateral unless the Loan Documents are being amended at the same time to reflect such new collateral or the addition of guarantors if required by the terms thereof; or (iii) designate any Debt (other than any Indebtedness) as “Specified Senior Indebtedness” or “Specified Guarantor Senior Indebtedness” or give any such other Debt any other similar designation for the purposes of any indentures or other documents relating to any subordinated Debt permitted hereunder.

Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) Investments reflected in the Financial Statements or which are disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 9.05.

(b) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business.

(c) direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, or obligations guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof.

(d) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof rated in the highest grade by S&P or Moody’s.

(e) deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof with, including certificates of deposit issued by, any Lender or any office located in the United States of any other bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States or any

 

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state thereof, has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $100,000,000 (as of the date of such bank or trust company’s most recent financial reports) and has a short term deposit rating of no lower than A2 or P2, as such rating is set forth from time to time, by S&P or Moody’s, respectively.

(f) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days from the date of acquisition thereof for underlying securities of the type described in Sections 9.05(c) and (e).

(g) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in Investments described in Section 9.05(c), Section 9.05(d) or Section 9.05(f).

(h) Investments (i) made by the Borrower in or to the Guarantors, (ii) made by any Subsidiary in or to the Borrower or any Guarantor and (iii) made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or to all other Domestic Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $2,000,000.

(i) subject to the limits in Section 9.06, Investments (including, without limitation, capital contributions) in general or limited partnerships or other types of entities (each a “venture”) entered into by the Borrower or a Subsidiary with others in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) any such venture is engaged exclusively in oil and gas exploration, development, production, processing and related activities, including transportation, (ii) the interest in such venture is acquired in the ordinary course of business and on fair and reasonable terms and (iii) such venture interests acquired and capital contributions made (valued as of the date such interest was acquired or the contribution made) do not exceed, in the aggregate at any time outstanding an amount equal to $5,000,000.

(j) subject to the limits in Section 9.06, Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America.

(k) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case only as permitted by applicable law, including Section 402 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, but in any event not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

(l) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 9.04(b) owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of the obligor in respect of such debts or upon the enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prompt written notice in the event that the aggregate amount of all Investments held at any one time under this Section 9.05(l) exceeds $5,000,000.

(m) Investments existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 9.05.

 

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(n) (i) guarantees permitted by Section 9.02, and (ii) guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the performance or payment obligations of the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary, which obligations were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not constitute Indebtedness.

(o) Investments in any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of consideration received for a disposition of any property that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 9.12.

(p) any Investments received solely in exchange for Equity Interests consisting of common stock of the Borrower.

(q) other Investments not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

(r) Investment by R.E. Gas in Keystone and RW Gathering in an aggregate amount not to exceed $45,000,000 in cash and $4,500,000 in Property.

Section 9.06 Nature of Business. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company.

Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligation for the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or personal but excluding Capital Leases and leases of Oil and Gas Properties), under leases or lease agreements which would cause the aggregate amount of all net payments made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements, including, without limitation, any residual payments at the end of any lease, to exceed $5,000,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life of such leases.

Section 9.08 Proceeds of Loans. The Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Loans to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.21. Neither the Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be.

Section 9.09 ERISA Compliance. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, at any time:

(a) engage in, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i) or (l) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code.

 

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(b) terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability of the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC.

(c) fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto.

(d) permit to exist, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan.

(e) except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, permit, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under any Plan maintained by the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate which is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA.

(f) except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan.

(g) except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Borrower or a Subsidiary or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or a Subsidiary if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (i) any Multiemployer Plan, or (ii) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.

(h) incur, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to incur, a liability to or on account of a Plan under sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA.

(i) amend, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Plan under section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

Section 9.10 Sale or Discount of Receivables. Except for receivables obtained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable or the sale of defaulted accounts arising in the ordinary course

 

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of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not in connection with any financing transaction, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

Section 9.11 Mergers, Etc. Other than (i) a merger of the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary to effectuate a reincorporation or statutory conversion in another state of the United States or (ii) a statutory conversion in any state of the United States, in either case upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) (any such transaction, a “consolidation”), or liquidate or dissolve; except that (i) any Subsidiary may merge with or dissolve into any other Subsidiary, (ii) that the Borrower may merge with any Subsidiary (or such Subsidiary may be dissolved into the Borrower) so long as the Borrower is the survivor, (iii) any Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary, and may thereafter liquidate or dissolve if applicable; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor and (iv) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may dispose of all of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.12.

Section 9.12 Sale of Properties. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property except for (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business; (b) farmouts in the ordinary course of business of non-proven acreage and assignments in connection with such farmouts, or the abandonment, farm-out, exchange, lease or sublease of Oil and Gas Properties not containing such reserves; (c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer useful or necessary for the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value or use; (d) the sale or other disposition of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties; provided that (i) 100% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be cash, (ii) the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Subsidiary subject of such sale or other disposition (if such consideration exceeds $5,000,000, as reasonably determined by the board of directors or other governing body of the Borrower and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying to that effect), (iii) if any such sale or other disposition is of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such sale or other disposition shall include all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; (e) dispositions permitted by Section 9.11; (f) the trade or exchange of Oil and Gas Properties for Oil and Gas Properties of equivalent value (including any cash or Investments of the nature described in any of Sections 9.05(c), (d), (e) and (f) necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value); provided that (i) the Administrative Agent shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether the such value is equivalent and (ii) any Oil and Gas Properties to which any proved reserves are attributed in the most recent Reserve Report delivered hereunder may be traded or exchanged hereunder only for Oil and Gas Properties to which comparable quantities of proved reserves are attributable; (g) dispositions of assets received pursuant to Section 9.05(l);

 

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(h) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property; (i) the granting of any Lien permitted hereunder and dispositions of property subject to any such Lien that is transferred to the lienholder or its designee in satisfaction or settlement of such lienholder’s claim; (j) any disposition of assets pursuant to (i) a condemnation, appropriation, seizure or similar taking or proceeding by a Governmental Authority, (ii) the requirement of, or at the direction of, a Governmental Authority or (iii) a Casualty Event; (k) dispositions of assets, other than collateral for the Indebtedness, constituting non-cash contributions to a joint venture to the extent such Investment is permitted pursuant to Section 9.05(i) (for the purpose of determining compliance with the limitations of such Section, the assets shall be valued at the value attributable thereto in the joint venture agreement, or, if greater, fair market value); (l) dispositions of Property to the Borrower or any Guarantor; and (m) sales and other dispositions of Properties not regulated by Section 9.12(a) to (d) having a fair market value not to exceed $5,000,000 during any 12-month period.

Section 9.13 Environmental Matters. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, cause or permit any of its Property to be in violation of, or perform any action or permit any action which will subject any such Property to any Remedial Work under any Environmental Laws, assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such Property where such violations or remedial obligations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 9.14 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than the Guarantors and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as the case may be) unless such transactions are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to transactions as follows: (i) transactions between or among the Borrower and any Guarantor or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or between and among any Guarantors and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower; (ii) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 9.04(a); (iii) Investments permitted under Section 9.05(h), 9.05(i) or 9.05(j); (iv) loans and advances permitted under Section 9.05(k) and Guarantees permitted under Section 9.05(n); (v) the performance of employment, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreements, plans or other similar compensation or benefit plans or arrangements (including vacation plans, health and insurance plans, deferred compensation plans and retirement or savings plans) entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business with its employees, officers and directors; (vi) the performance of any agreement set forth under Schedule 9.14 and existing on the date hereof or as otherwise in a form as provided on such Schedule, together with each extension, renewal, amendment or modification to the extent it does not expand the scope of undertakings provided thereby on more restrictive or onerous terms than as in effect on the date hereof; and (vii) fees and compensation to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, and employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in their capacity as such, to the extent such fees and compensation are customary.

 

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Section 9.15 Subsidiaries. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create or acquire any additional Subsidiary unless the Borrower gives written notice to the Administrative Agent of such creation or acquisition and complies with Section 8.14(b). The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary except in compliance with Section 9.12. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall have any Foreign Subsidiaries.

Section 9.16 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions. Except for restrictions and conditions (i) imposed by law, (ii) existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 9.16, together with each extension, renewal, amendment or modification to the extent it does not expand the scope of any such restriction or condition or otherwise make the same more restrictive, (iii) of a customary nature contained in agreements relating to the disposition of a Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Agreement pending such disposition, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be Disposed of or (iv) contained in joint venture agreements or other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business in respect to the disposition or distribution of assets of such joint venture, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement, the Security Instruments, the First Lien Loan Documents, agreements evidencing Debt permitted pursuant to Section 9.02(j) or Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c)) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or restricts any Subsidiary from paying dividends or making distributions to the Borrower or any Guarantor, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith; provided, however, this Section 9.16 shall not (a) prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of a Lien permitted by clause (g) in the defined term “Excepted Liens” and by Section 9.03(f) solely to the extent such negative pledge relates to the property the subject of such Indebtedness, and (b) apply to customary provisions in leases, licenses and similar contracts restricting the assignment, encumbrance, sub-letting or transfer thereof.

Section 9.17 Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would require the Borrower or such Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor to exceed one bcf of gas (on an mcf equivalent basis) in the aggregate.

Section 9.18 Swap Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreements with any Person other than (a) Swap Agreements in respect of commodities (i) with an Approved Counterparty and (ii) the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Swap Agreements then in effect other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements) do not exceed, as of the date such Swap Agreement is executed, 85% of the reasonably anticipated projected production from Proved Developed Producing Reserves for the 36 months following the date such Swap Agreement is entered into, and 75% thereafter, for each of crude oil and natural gas, calculated separately, and (b) Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates with an Approved Counterparty, as follows: (i) Swap Agreements effectively converting interest rates

 

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from fixed to floating, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from fixed to floating) do not exceed 50% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a fixed rate and (ii) Swap Agreements effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed the greater of $20,000,000 and 75% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a floating rate, and (iii) Swap Agreements required under Section 6.01(p) and Section 8.16. In no event shall any Swap Agreement contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for the Borrower or any Subsidiary to post collateral or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures other than collateral provided for in, and upon the terms and conditions set forth in, this Agreement and the relevant Security Instruments.

Section 9.19 Modification of First Lien Loan Documents. Without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify, supplement, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or other change to, any First Lien Loan Document, except amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or changes permitted pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.

ARTICLE X

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

Section 10.01 Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration or otherwise.

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 10.01(a)) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days.

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made.

 

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(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 3.04(c), Section 8.01(j), Section 8.01(n), Section 8.01(q), Section 8.02, Section 8.03, Section 8.14, Section 8.15, Section 8.18 or in ARTICLE IX.

(e) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in Section 10.01(a), Section 10.01(b) or Section 10.01(d)) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary otherwise becoming aware of such default.

(f) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable.

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any Subsidiary to make an offer in respect thereof.

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Guarantor or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Guarantor or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered.

(i) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in Section 10.01(h), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Guarantor or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

(j) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due.

 

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(k) (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance provided by financially sound and reputable insurers as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and is not subject to an insolvency proceeding) or (ii) any one or more non-monetary judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment.

(l) any material provision of any Loan Document after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower or a Guarantor party thereto as represented and warranted pursuant to Section 7.02 or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or the Borrower or any Guarantor shall so state in writing.

(m) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(n) a Change in Control shall occur.

Section 10.02 Remedies.

(a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one described in Section 10.01(h), Section 10.01(i) or Section 10.01(j), at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the principal amount of the Notes and the Loans then outstanding, and accrued interest, fees and other similar amounts thereon, to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(h), Section 10.01(i) or Section 10.01(j), the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal amount of the Notes and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

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(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

(c) All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of collateral or otherwise received after maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:

(i) first, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

(ii) second, pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;

(iii) third, pro rata to payment of accrued interest on the Loans;

(iv) fourth, pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans;

(v) fifth, pro rata to any other Indebtedness; and

(vi) sixth, any excess, after all of the Indebtedness shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.

ARTICLE XI

THE AGENTS

Section 11.01 Appointment; Powers. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

Section 11.02 Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties), (b) the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except as provided in Section 11.03, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any

 

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Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, or effectiveness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in ARTICLE VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or as to those conditions precedent expressly required to be to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in ARTICLE VI, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed closing date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 11.03 Action by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) and in all cases the Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) specifying the action to be taken and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.03, provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, neither the Syndication Agent nor the Documentation Agents shall have any obligation to perform any act in respect thereof. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders or the Lenders (or such other number

 

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or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02), and otherwise the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon and each of the Borrower and the Lenders hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.

Section 11.05 Subagents. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding Sections of this ARTICLE XI shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Section 11.06 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this Section 11.06, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrower, and the Administrative Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Majority Lenders, with the consent of the Borrower (if no Event of Default has occurred and is not then continuing), such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower in any event, and with the consent of the Borrower if no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation or removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by

 

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the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this ARTICLE XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Agent.

Section 11.07 Agents as Lenders. Each bank serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

Section 11.08 No Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, no Agent or the Arranger shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) which may come into the possession of such Agent or any of its Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Jones Day. is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.

Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Indebtedness that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

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(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Indebtedness or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 11.10 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral, Liens and Guarantors. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to release any collateral that is permitted to be sold or released and release any Guarantor that is permitted to be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, in each case pursuant to the applicable terms of the Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments, release of guarantees or Guarantors (as the case may be) or other documents reasonably requested by the Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property or any one or more Guarantors to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.12 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.

Section 11.11 The Arranger, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents. The Arranger, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than their duties, responsibilities and liabilities in their capacity as Lenders hereunder.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Notices.

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to Section 12.01(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at 1975 Waddle Road, State College, PA 16803, Attention of Thomas C. Stabley, Chief Financial Officer (Telecopy No.  ###-###-####, and regarding the Borrower’s website for electronic delivery of documents as referred to in the concluding paragraph of Section 8.01, such website is www.rexenergycorp.com);

 

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(ii) if such notice is not a payment, to the Administrative Agent, to it at 8115 Preston Road, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75225, Attention of David Morris (Telecopy No.  ###-###-####, email: ***@***), with a copy to 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attention of Yvette M. Dyson-Owens (Facsimile: 216 ###-###-####, email: ***@***);

(iii) if such notice is a payment, to the Administrative Agent, to it at 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attention of Attention of Yvette M. Dyson-Owens (Facsimile: 216 ###-###-####, email: ***@***) or to such wire transfer number as the Administrative Agent may provide; and

(iv) the Administrative Agent will forward all relevant notices from the Borrower to the Lenders.

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to ARTICLE II, ARTICLE III, ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments.

(a) No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 12.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for

 

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which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Any provision of this Agreement or any Security Instrument may be waived, amended or modified pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Majority Lenders, or with the Majority Lenders’ prior written consent provided that no amendment, modification or waiver shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Indebtedness hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Majority Lenders shall be necessary to amend the meaning of “default rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at such default rate, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or any other Indebtedness hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone or extend the Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) waive or amend Section 3.04(c), Section 6.01, Section 8.14, Section 10.02(c) or Section 12.15 or change the definition of the terms “Domestic Subsidiary” or “Subsidiary”, other than of a ministerial nature, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (vi) release any Guarantor (except as set forth in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement or in any other Loan Document), release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.10), or reduce the percentage set forth in Section 8.14 (a) to less than 80%, without the written consent of each Lender, or (vii) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or Section 12.04(a)(i) or the definition of “Majority Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender or (iv) waive or amend Section 9.01(d) or change the definition of “PV-10 Ratio” or any component definition thereof without the written consent of the Required Lenders; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or any other Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or such other Agent, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplement to Schedule 7.14 (Subsidiaries) shall be effective upon delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders.

Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of environmental audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the

 

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syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all costs, expenses, Taxes, assessments and other charges incurred by any Agent or any Lender in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein, and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section 12.03, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including, without limitation, all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) THE BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT, THE ARRANGER, AND EACH LENDER, AND EACH RELATED PARTY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “INDEMNITEE”) AGAINST, AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, THE PERFORMANCE BY THE PARTIES HERETO OR THE PARTIES TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, (ii) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iii) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (iv) ANY LOAN OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, (v) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (vi) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES BY THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (vii) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (viii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PRESENCE, GENERATION, STORAGE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE, USE, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, ARRANGEMENT OF DISPOSAL OR TREATMENT OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, (ix) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE BORROWER

 

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OR ANY SUBSIDIARY WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, (x) THE PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (xi) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED PRESENCE OR RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR FROM ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (xii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR (xiii) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (xiv) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF, OR VIOLATION OF LAW BY, SUCH INDEMNITEE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, NO INDEMNIFICATION SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE EXTENT IT ARISES (y) BY REASON OF A CLAIM BY ONE OR MORE INDEMNITEES AGAINST ONE OR MORE OTHER INDEMNITEES, OR (z) FROM A CLAIM BROUGHT BY THE BORROWER AGAINST AN INDEMNITEE FOR (1) SUCH INDEMNITEE’S BREACH OF ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR (2) BAD FAITH OF SUCH INDEMNITEE HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, IN EITHER CASE IF THE BORROWER HAS OBTAINED A FINAL NON NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ITS FAVOR ON SUCH CLAIM AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. SO LONG AS NO DEFAULT IS CONTINUING AND THE BORROWER IS FINANCIALLY SOLVENT, NO INDEMNITEE MAY SETTLE ANY CLAIM TO BE INDEMNIFIED HEREUNDER WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE BORROWER, WHICH CONSENT WILL NOT BE UNREASONABLY OR UNTIMELY WITHHELD.

 

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(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to any Agent or the Arranger under Section 12.03(a) or (b) (and provided that such failure is not due to such Agent’s or Arranger’s gross negligence or willful misconduct), each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent or the Arranger, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Loans at such time) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent or the Arranger in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable within 30 days following receipt by the Borrower of a reasonably detailed statement therefor.

Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

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(B) in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $1,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) unfunded Commitments if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender, or (ii) any Term Loans to a Person who is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person.

 

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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.01, 5.03 and 5.04 and 12.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Cleveland, Ohio a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 12.03(c) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Section 12.2(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.01, 5.02 and 5.03 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 5.03(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.03(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section

 

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5.04(b) as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 5.01 or 5.03, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 5.04(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.01(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement.

(a) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 and ARTICLE XI shall survive, on an unsecured and non-guaranteed basis, and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

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(b) To the extent that any payments on the Indebtedness or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Indebtedness so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Borrower shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

(b) This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

(c) Except as provided in Section 6.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 12.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 12.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations (of whatsoever kind, including, without limitation, obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary owed to such Lender now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 12.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or its Affiliates may have.

Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW PERMITS ANY LENDER TO CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, RECEIVE, RESERVE OR TAKE INTEREST AT THE RATE ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE SUCH LENDER IS LOCATED (AND IN SUCH EVENT, SUCH FEDERAL LAWS SHALL PERTAIN SOLELY TO SUCH LENDER).

(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF HARRIS COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE A PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

(c) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 12.01 OR SUCH OTHER ADDRESS AS IS SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12.01 (OR ITS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION), SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF A PARTY OR ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

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(d) EACH PARTY HEREBY (i) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (ii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (iii) CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE, OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (iv) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.09.

Section 12.10 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 12.11 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arranger, the Lenders and each other party hereto or to any other Loan Document, agrees to maintain, and agrees to cause each of its Affiliates to maintain, the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (and in each such case, such Person shall, if permitted by law, notify the Borrower of such occurrence as soon as reasonably practicable following the service of any such process on such Person), (d) to any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 12.11, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, another Agent, the Arranger, any Lender or other party hereto on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section 12.11, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and their businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the other Agents, the Arranger, any Lender or any other party hereto on a

 

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nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or a Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Section 12.12 Interest Rate Limitation. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Notes or any other Indebtedness is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.12 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.12. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

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Section 12.13 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”

Section 12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person (including, without limitation, any Subsidiary of the Borrower, any obligor, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent, any other Agent or any Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries.

Section 12.15 USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

Section 12.16 INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

(a) EACH LENDER HEREBY (I) INSTRUCTS AND AUTHORIZES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ON ITS BEHALF, (II) AUTHORIZES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO EXERCISE ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S RIGHTS AND TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, AND

 

- 91 -


(III) UNDERSTANDS, ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT AT ALL TIMES FOLLOWING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SUCH LENDER (AND EACH OF ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS) SHALL BE BOUND BY THE TERMS THEREOF.

(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEGES THAT IT HAS REVIEWED AND IS SATISFIED WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND ACKNOWLEGES AND AGREES THAT SUCH LENDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING ITS OWN ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS THEREOF, AND NO AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION TO ANY LENDER AS TO THE SUFFICIENCY OR ADVISABILITY OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

- 92 -


The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER:     REX ENERGY CORPORATION
      By:   /s/ Thomas C. Stabley
        Thomas C. Stabley
Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement


KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and a Lender
By:   /s/ Lawrence A. Mack
  Name: Lawrence A. Mack
  Title: Executive Vice President

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent and a Lender

By:   /s/ Bryan M. McDavid
  Name: Bryan M. McDavid
  Title: Director

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement


SUNTRUST BANK,

as a Co-Documentation Agent and a Lender

By:   /s/ Gregory M. Magnuson
  Name: Gregory M. Magnuson
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement


UNIONBANCAL EQUITIES, INC.

as a Co-Documentation Agent and a Lender

By:   /s/ Derrick Pan
  Name: Derrick Pan
  Title: Vice President
By:   /s/ Margaret Elower
  Name: Margaret Elower
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement


ANNEX I

LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS

Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts

 

Name of Lender

   Maximum Credit Amount  

KeyBank National Association

   $ 15,000,000   

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A..

   $ 15,000,000   

SunTrust Bank

   $ 10,000,000   

UnionBanCal Equities, Inc.

   $ 10,000,000   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 50,000,000   
  

 

 

 

 

Annex I - 1


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

 

$[            ]

   [            ], 20[    ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Rex Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”) hereby promises to pay [            ] (the “Lender”), at the principal office of KeyBank National Association (the “Administrative Agent”) designated in Section 4.01(a) of the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined, the principal sum of [            ] Dollars ($[            ]) (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement), in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.

The date, amount, Type, interest rate, Interest Period and maturity of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and, prior to any transfer of this Note, may be endorsed by the Lender on the schedules attached hereto or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by the Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of this Note.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders signatory thereto (including the Lender), and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such Second Lien Credit Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note. This Note may not be assigned except in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

 

REX ENERGY CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

Exhibit A - 1


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

[            ], 20[    ]

Rex Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and the other agents and lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto (unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein is defined in the Credit Agreement), hereby requests a Borrowing as follows:

(i) Aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing is $[            ];

(ii) Date of such Borrowing is [            ], 20[    ];

(iii) Requested Borrowing is to be [an ABR Borrowing] [a Eurodollar Borrowing];

(iv) In the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period applicable thereto is [            ];

(viii) Location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement, is as follows:

[                                                 ]

[                                                 ]

[                                                 ]

[                                                 ]

[                                                 ]

 

Exhibit B - 1


The undersigned certifies that he/she is the [            ] of the Borrower, and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and warrants on behalf of the Borrower that the Borrower is entitled to receive the requested Borrowing under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.

 

REX ENERGY CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Exhibit B - 2


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

[            ], 20[    ]

Rex Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and the other agents and lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto (unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein is defined in the Credit Agreement), hereby makes an Interest Election Request as follows:

(i) The Borrowing to which this Interest Election Request applies, and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information specified pursuant to (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing) is [            ];

(ii) The effective date of the election made pursuant to this Interest Election Request is [            ], 20[    ];[and]

(iii) The resulting Borrowing is to be [an ABR Borrowing] [a Eurodollar Borrowing][; and]

[(iv) [If the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing] The Interest Period applicable to the resulting Borrowing after giving effect to such election is [            ]].

The undersigned certifies that he/she is the [            ] of the Borrower, and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and warrants on behalf of the Borrower that the Borrower is entitled to receive the requested continuation or conversion under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.

 

REX ENERGY CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Exhibit C - 1


EXHIBIT D-1

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the [            ] of Rex Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference to the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto being the “Agreement”) among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):

(a) The Borrower has performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the Agreement and in the Loan Documents required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the time of delivery hereof [or specify default and describe].

(b) Since [same date as audited financials in Section 7.04(a)], no change has occurred, either in any case or in the aggregate, in the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect [or specify event].

(c) There exists no Default or Event of Default [or specify Default and describe].

(d) Attached hereto are the detailed computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower is in compliance with Section 9.01 and Section 8.14 as of the end of the [fiscal quarter][fiscal year] ending [            ].

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this [            ] day of [            ].

 

REX ENERGY CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Exhibit D-1 1


EXHIBIT D-2

FORM OF SECTION 8.01(c) CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the [            ] of Rex Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference to the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto being the “Agreement”) among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):

(a) There exists no Default or Event of Default [or specify Default and describe].

(b) Attached hereto are the detailed computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower is in compliance with Section 9.01(a), (b) and (c) and 8.14 as of the end of the [fiscal quarter][fiscal year] ending [            ].

(c) [Select one of the following as applicable:] [There has been no change in GAAP or in the application thereof, in each case as GAAP was applied in the Financial Statements, (i) in the preparation of the Borrower’s financial statements most-recently required to be delivered in accordance with Section 8.01(a) or (b), or (ii) that would affect the computation of any financial ratio in Section 9.01] or [There has been one or more changes in GAAP or in the application thereof, in each case as GAAP was applied in the Financial Statements, (i) in the preparation of the Borrower’s financial statements most-recently required to be delivered in accordance with Section 8.01(a) or (b), or (ii) that would affect the computation of any financial ratio in Section 9.01, as follows and with the following effects: [specify].

 

Exhibit D-2 1


EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this [            ] day of [            ].

 

REX ENERGY CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Exhibit D-2 2


EXHIBIT E

SECURITY INSTRUMENTS

1) Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 by the Borrower and Rex Energy I, LLC, Rex Energy Operating Corp., PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc., Rex Energy IV, LLC and R.E. Gas Development, LLC, as the Guarantors, in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

2) Financing Statements in respect of item 1, by

a) the Borrower

b) Rex Energy I, LLC

c) Rex Energy Operating Corp.

f) PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc.

g) Rex Energy IV, LLC

h) R.E. Gas Development, LLC

3) Stock Powers delivered in respect of item 1.

a) Penn Tex Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation

b) PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc., a Delaware corporation

c) Rex Energy Operating Corp., a Delaware corporation

4) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy I, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Illinois.

5) Financing Statements in respect of item 4.

6) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy I, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Indiana.

7) Financing Statements in respect of item 6.

8) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy IV, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Illinois

 

Exhibit E - 1


9) Financing Statements in respect of item 8.

10) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy IV, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Indiana

11) Financing Statements in respect of item 10

12) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy IV, LLC and PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc., as mortgagors, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Illinois.

13) Financing Statements in respect of item 12.

14) Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy IV, LLC and PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc., as mortgagors, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Indiana.

15) Financing Statements in respect of item 14.

16) Open End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by R.E. Gas Development, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property in Pennsylvania.

17) Financing Statement in respect of item 16.

18) Open End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of December 22, 2011 by Rex Energy I, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and others, with respect to certain property located in Pennsylvania.

19) Collateral Assignment of Trademarks, dated as of December 22, 2011, between Rex Energy Operating Corp. and the Administrative Agent.

 

Exhibit E - 2


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]2 Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]3 hereunder are several and not joint.]4 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the][each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including without limitation any guarantees included in such facilities), and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

1  For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.
2  For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.
3  Select as appropriate.
4  Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.


1.      Assignor[s]:

       

[Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]

  
       

2.      Assignee[s]:

       
       

[for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]

3.      Borrower(s):

   Rex Energy Corporation   

4.      Administrative Agent:

   KeyBank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

5.      Credit Agreement:

   The Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 among Rex Energy Corporation, the Lenders parties thereto, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto]

6.      Assigned Interest[s]:

     

 

Assignor[s]5

   Assignee[s]6    Facility
Assigned7
   Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment/Loans
for all
Lenders8
     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned8
     Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loans9
     CUSIP
Number
         $         $           %      
         $         $           %      
         $         $           %      

 

[7.    Trade Date:

       ]10

[Page break]

 

5  List each Assignor, as appropriate.
6  List each Assignee, as appropriate.
7  Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g., “Revolving Credit Commitment,” “Term Loan Commitment,” etc.)
8  Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.
9  Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
10  To be completed if the Assignor(s) and the Assignee(s) intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 

-2-


Effective Date:                                  , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR[S]11
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Title:
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Title:
ASSIGNEE[S]12
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:    
  Title:
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:    
  Title:

[Consented to and]13 Accepted:

 

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Administrative Agent

By:    
  Title:

 

11  Add additional signature blocks as needed. Include both Fund/Pension Plan and manager making the trade (if applicable).
12  Add additional signature blocks as needed. Include both Fund/Pension Plan and manager making the trade (if applicable).
13  To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

-3-


[Consented to:]14
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By:    
  Title:

 

14  To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

-4-


ANNEX 1

REX ENERGY CORPORATION SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor[s]. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee[s]. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section __(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section __(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section          thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) [if it is a Foreign Lender] attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents

 

Exhibit F - 4


and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to [the][the relevant] Assignee.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.

 

Exhibit F - 5


EXHIBIT G

FORM OF GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

See attached.

 

Exhibit F - 4


EXHIBIT H

LOCAL COUNSEL OPINIONS

 

1. Each Mortgage, including the acknowledgment thereto, is in a form satisfactory for recordation in the official public records of the appropriate County Recorder.

 

2. Each Financing Statement complies with applicable provisions of the State UCC and is in appropriate form for filing in the State UCC records of the appropriate County Filing Office, and upon (i) the filing in the State UCC records of the appropriate County Filing Office, and (ii) upon extraction of the As-extracted Collateral, Administrative Agent shall have a perfected security interest in the As-extracted Collateral described therein. There are no other filings necessary to perfect the foregoing security interests in the As-Extracted Collateral, other than the filings described in the Limitations and Qualifications section of this opinion letter set forth below.

 

3. Based solely on the Certificate of Good Standing, each Mortgagor is authorized to transact business in the State.

 

4. Each Mortgage constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Mortgagor of such Mortgage, enforceable against such Mortgagor in accordance with its terms.

 

5. Each Mortgage is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, for the payment of the Indebtedness described therein, a valid mortgage lien on all of each Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the Real Property described in such Mortgagor’s Mortgage and a valid security interest in all of such Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to As-extracted Collateral and all Fixtures located on the Real Property.

 

6. Each Mortgage should be filed in the appropriate Recorder’s Office and each Financing Statement filed in the State UCC records of the appropriate County Filing Office. Other than the foregoing recording and filing, no other authorization, consent, approval, license or exemption of, or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority of the State, is necessary for either the due execution and delivery by Mortgagor of its Mortgage, or the perfection of the mortgage lien on its Real Property.

 

7. After the recordings and filings specified in opinion paragraph 6 have occurred, the mortgage lien created by each Mortgage on the portions of the Mortgaged Property constituting Real Property, As-extracted Collateral and Fixtures described in such Mortgage will be perfected.

 

8. After the recordings and filings specified opinion paragraphs 2 and 6 have occurred, no instruments need to be recorded, registered or filed or re-recorded, re-registered or re-filed in any public office in the State in connection with the execution and delivery of each Mortgage in order to maintain the perfection of the mortgage lien created thereby after the Recording Date, other than continuation statements as required by the State UCC.

 

Schedule 9.16


9. No state or local recording tax, stamp tax, documentary tax, intangibles tax or other similar fees, or governmental charges (other than statutory filing and recording fees to be paid upon the filing of each Mortgage) is required to be paid in connection with the filing and recording of such Mortgage.

 

10. The execution and delivery by each Mortgagor of its Mortgage does not, and the performance by such Mortgagor of its financial obligations thereunder will not, result in any violation by such Mortgagor of any laws, rules or regulations of the State which, in our experience, exercising customary professional diligence, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by its Mortgage.

 

11. The courts of the State should more likely than not apply the laws of the State of Texas to the Loan Documents, except for the State Provisions, which shall be governed by the laws of the State.

 

12. The legal descriptions of the oil and gas leases that constitute Mortgagor’s leasehold interests in the leases that are part of each Mortgaged Property located within the applicable County, which legal descriptions are described on Exhibit “A” attached to each such Mortgage, are legally sufficient descriptions of such leased properties for the purpose of creating and maintaining mortgage liens purported to be created by each such Mortgage on Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in such Mortgaged Property and for purposes of all applicable recording laws in the State; provided, however, we express no opinion as to the accuracy of the legal descriptions listed on Exhibit “A”.

 

Schedule 9.16


SCHEDULE 7.05

LITIGATION

 

1. A putative class action lawsuit brought in the Court of Common Pleas of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania styled Lucinda A. Cardinale and Iola Hugney, et al. v. R. E. Gas Development, LLC and Rex Energy Corporation, Case No. 2011-1791 – CD relating to leasing activities of the defendants in 2008.

 

Schedule 7.05 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.06

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

1.

In approximately 2002, predecessors of PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc. (“PennTex Illinois”) received complaints from local residents of the cities of Bridgeport and Petrolia, Illinois concerning odors alleged to be emanating from oil wells, emergency pits and facilities located in the company’s Lawrence field operations. The complainants alleged that the odors were caused by hydrogen sulfide (“H2S”) gas. The complainants alleged that H2S gas emissions from the oil wells and associated facilities also caused corrosion damages to HVAC systems and other personal property at each of their residences. Each complainant requested compensation for the repair or replacement of personal items located at their residences. Predecessors of PennTex Illinois entered into settlement agreements with certain of these residents relating to their claims of corrosion damages. On October 7, 2004, a predecessor of PennTex Illinois (then known as ERG Illinois, Inc.) received a Violation Notice dated October 6, 2004, pursuant to Section 31(a)(1) of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (“Illinois EPA”) regarding odors allegedly emanating from its Newell Facility emergency pit or in the general vicinity of the emergency pit. Thereafter, on December 16, 2004, the company received a letter entitled “Request to Provide Information Pursuant to the Clean Air Act” from the U.S. EPA. The U.S. EPA requested information necessary to determine whether the operations surrounding the Newell Facility were in compliance with the Illinois State Implementation Plan and the Clean Air Act. On December 27, 2004, ERG Illinois, Inc. submitted to the Illinois EPA a proposed Compliance Commitment Agreement (“CCA”) that responded to the October 6, 2004 Violation Notice with a denial of the alleged violations, but accompanied by a proposal to periodically clean the emergency pit. On January 26, 2005, the Illinois EPA provided a letter to the company indicating that the company’s previously submitted CCA had been accepted, thus resolving the Violation Notice.

On January 28, 2005, PennTex Illinois submitted a response to the U.S. EPA’s December 16, 2004 information request. On February 9, 2005, the U.S. EPA requested additional data from PennTex Illinois regarding the quantity of H2S emissions from various sources including the Newell Facility and the wells in and around the city of Bridgeport, Illinois. In March 2005, PennTex Illinois engaged a third party environmental consulting firm to prepare a Preliminary Action Plan designed to identify and analyze emissions from PennTex Illinois’ operations and to propose recommendations to address any identified concerns. A report entitled “PAP/Odor Investigation Results” with recommendations and a cover letter were sent to the U.S. EPA on July 18, 2005 (the “PAP Report”). The PAP Report concluded that, for all wells monitored, PennTex Illinois was in compliance with all known federal, state and local rules and regulations in regard to H2S emissions and exposures. The PAP Report recommended that additional H2S controls, such as the installation of scavenger drums, be implemented with respect to some of the monitored wells. The PAP Report described the results of high range and low range H2S instrument sampling in the vicinity of the Newell Facility and concluded that no additional operational controls or modifications appeared to be necessary or feasible to further reduce H2S concentrations in the vicinity of the Newell Facility.

 

Schedule 7.06 - 1


On March 13, 2006, PennTex Illinois received a second information request from the U.S. EPA requesting additional information relating to, among other matters, the company’s installation of flares and scavenger drums to control H2S emissions at its oil well locations. On March 27, 2006, PennTex Illinois submitted a response to the U.S. EPA’s second information request. In September 2006, the U.S. DOJ and the U.S. EPA initiated an enforcement action seeking mandatory injunctive relief and potential civil penalties from PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy Operating Corp. (“Rex Operating”) based on allegations that the companies were violating the Clean Air Act in connection with the release of H2S and other volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) in the course of PennTex Illinois’ oil operations in the Lawrence Field near the towns of Bridgeport and Petrolia, Illinois. Senior management of the companies met with representatives of the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOJ, Illinois EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (“ATSDR”) on September 7, 2006, to discuss matters relating to the enforcement action. This meeting had been preceded by certain monitoring of air emissions in the areas surrounding Bridgeport and Petrolia, Illinois that the U.S. EPA and ATSDR had conducted in May 2006.

In October 2006, PennTex Illinois and Rex Operating entered into a non-binding agreement in principle with the U.S. EPA to address matters that were the subject of the pending enforcement action. Pursuant to this agreement, the companies agreed to (i) develop and carry out a detailed and comprehensive written response plan designed to further reduce possible emissions of H2S and VOCs from PennTex Illinois’ oil wells and associated facilities in the Lawrence Field that were closest to populated areas, (ii) operate and maintain the control measures described in the response plan in accordance with a written operations and maintenance plan to be approved by the U.S. EPA, (iii) evaluate the effectiveness of the control measures in the Lawrence Field through a monitoring program, and (iv) evaluate the need for additional control measures at other facilities within the Lawrence Field within 60 days. In April 2007, PennTex Illinois, Rex Operating and the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOJ executed a comprehensive consent decree in which PennTex Illinois and Rex Operating, without any admission of wrongdoing or liability and without any agreement to pay any civil fine or penalty, agreed to install certain control measures and to implement certain operating and maintenance procedures in the Lawrence Field. Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, PennTex Illinois and Rex Operating agreed to establish a monitoring protocol that would be designed to facilitate the reduction of possible emissions of H2S and VOCs from PennTex Illinois’ operations near Bridgeport and Petrolia. On June 1, 2007, the United States filed a motion for the approval and entry of the proposed consent decree with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. On June 6, 2007, the court granted the United States’ motion for approval and entry of the proposed consent decree.

PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy began implementing the control measures required by the consent decree in late 2006, prior to the formal effective date of the decree. Certain primary control measures listed in the decree were installed by the third quarter of 2007. Certain secondary control measures proposed by PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy and approved by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. DOJ were completed by the end of 2008. Since then, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy have implemented a number of voluntary control measures in the Lawrence Field, but have not been required to implement additional

 

Schedule 7.06 - 2


controls by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. DOJ. In light of nearly three years having passed since the installation of the last controls required by the consent decree, and based on feedback from the U.S. EPA and the U.S. DOJ, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy do not expect that additional controls will be required. For calendar year 2012, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy have budgeted $200,000 for operating costs to maintain the current controls and minor additional controls for the Lawrence Field and a control project for a facility which is not covered by the consent decree.

 

2. PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy were defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The action was commenced in October 2006 by plaintiffs Julia Leib and Lisa Thompson, individually and as putative class representatives on behalf of all persons and non-governmental entities that own property or reside on property located in the towns of Bridgeport and Petrolia, Illinois. The complaint asserted several causes of action, including violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Illinois Environmental Protection Act, negligence, private nuisance, trespass, and willful and wanton misconduct.

In December 2009, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Leib and Thompson, individually and on behalf of a certified class, to settle the class action lawsuit. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, without any admission of liability, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy agreed to pay the class a total of $1.9 million. Pursuant to the terms of a pollution liability policy, $1.0 million of the settlement payment was funded by Rex’s insurance carrier. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy also agreed to permanently plug four inactive oil wells. In return for the above consideration, each member of the class released all claims against PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy that in any way related to hydrogen sulfide or other environmental conditions in the class area that were the subject of, or could have been the subject of, the claims alleged in the class action lawsuit. In addition, each class member released any claims related to any future releases of hydrogen sulfide in the class area on the condition that PennTex Illinois and Rex Energy substantially comply with the terms and conditions of the consent decree describe above. The Settlement Agreement did not provide for a release of any potential individual claims of other class members since those claims were not the subject of the class action lawsuit. The Settlement Agreement became effective in April 2010.

 

Schedule 7.06 - 3


SCHEDULE 7.14

SUBSIDIARIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

Borrower:

 

Legal Name

  

Trade Names Used
in Past 5 Years

  

Current
Jurisdiction
of
Organization

  

Jurisdiction of
Organizations in
Past 5 Years

  

Organizational
No.

  

Taxpayer
Identification
No.

  

Chief Executive Office or
Sole Place of Business over
the last 5 years

Rex Energy Corporation

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4313846    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge

Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Subsidiaries and Partnerships:

 

Legal Name

  

Trade Names Used
in Past 5 Years

  

Current
Jurisdiction
of
Organization

  

Jurisdiction of
Organizations in
Past 5 Years

  

Organizational
No.

  

Taxpayer
Identification
No.

  

Chief Executive Office or
Sole Place of Business over
the last 5 years

Rex Energy I, LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4335969    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Rex Energy Operating Corp.

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    3865470    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge

Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

 

Schedule 7.14 - 1


Legal Name

  

Trade Names Used
in Past 5 Years

  

Current
Jurisdiction
of
Organization

  

Jurisdiction of
Organizations in
Past 5 Years

  

Organizational
No.

  

Taxpayer
Identification
No.

  

Chief Executive Office or
Sole Place of Business over
the last 5 years

Rex Energy IV, LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4219136    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Route 1, Box 197

P.O. Box 318

Bridgeport, Illinois 62417

PennTex Resources Illinois, Inc.

   ERG Illinois, Inc.    Delaware    Not Applicable    3757111    20-0660609   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

R.E. Gas Development, LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4456607    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Rex Energy Marketing, LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4256285    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Butler Gas Processing LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4687040    27-0173276   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Rex Energy Rockies, LLC

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4783736    27-1822511   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

Northstar #3, LLC15

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    5023301    20 ###-###-####   

476 Rolling Ridge Drive, Suite 300

State College, PA 16801

 

15 

Entity is not a wholly subsidiary. R.E. Gas Development, LLC owns 51% of the Equity Interests in such entity.

 

Schedule 7.14 - 2


Legal Name

  

Trade Names Used
in Past 5 Years

  

Current
Jurisdiction
of
Organization

  

Jurisdiction of
Organizations in
Past 5 Years

  

Organizational
No.

  

Taxpayer
Identification
No.

  

Chief Executive Office or
Sole Place of Business over
the last 5 years

Water Solutions Holdings, LLC16

   None    Delaware    Not Applicable    4753283    27-1340877   

1129 West Governor Road

PO Box 797

Hershey, PA 17033

 

16 

Entity is not a wholly-owned subsidiary. Rex Energy Corporation owns 80% of the Equity Interests in such entity.

 

Schedule 7.14 - 3


SCHEDULE 7.18

GAS IMBALANCES

None.

 

Schedule 7.18 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.19

MARKETING CONTRACTS

Long Term Crude Oil Sales Agreements

 

  1. Master Crude Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 2009, by and among Countrymark Cooperative, LLP, PennTex Resources Illinois., PennTex Resources, L.P., Rex Energy IV, LLC and Rex Energy I, LLC, including certain confirmation related thereto.

Long Term Natural Gas Sales Agreements

 

  1. Natural Gas Sales Agreement dated August 9, 2011 by and between R.E. Gas Development, LLC and BP Energy Company.

 

  2. Natural Gas Sales Agreement dated November 30, 2011 by and between R.E. Gas Development, LLC and BP Energy Company.

 

  3. Natural Gas Production Election and Marketing Agreement dated January 6, 2010 by and among Williams Production Appalachia LLC and Rex Energy I, LLC and R.E. Gas Development, LLC.

 

  4. Natural Gas Liquid – Commercial Terms – Contract No. NGL-SP-1053, as amended, by and between Enbridge Energy Marketing, L.L.C. and R.E. Gas Development, LLC, dated August 31, 2011.

 

Schedule 7.19 - 1


SCHEDULE 7.20

SWAP AGREEMENTS

 

Derivative

Instrument

  

Counter-

party

  

Notional

Volume

(Mcf)

  

Notional

Volume

(Bls)

  

Period

   Floor
Price
     Ceiling
Price
     Fixed
Price
     Fair  Market
Value
 

As of November 30, 2011

                    

Collar

   Wells Fargo       7,000/month    1/11 – 12/12    $ 70.00       $ 100.00       $ —           ($689,783

Collar

   Wells Fargo       15,000/month    1/12 – 12/12      65.29         110.29         —           (772,958

Collar

   Wells Fargo       10,000/month    1/13 – 12/13      71.00         130.00         —           186,952   

Collar

   Wells Fargo       5,000/month    1/13 – 12/13      70.00         110.00         —           (177,428

Collar

   KeyBank       13,000/month    1/11 – 12/11      65.00         100.50         —           (32,473

Collar

   KeyBank       3,000/month    1/11 – 12/12      60.00         127.00         —           (44,602

Collar

   KeyBank       3,000/month    1/11 – 12/12      60.00         127.00         —           (44,602

Collar

   KeyBank       5,000/month    1/11 – 12/11      61.00         120.00         —           (23

Collar

   KeyBank       10,000/month    1/11 – 12/11      80.00         98.00         —           (38,870

Collar

   KeyBank       10,000/month    1/12 – 12/12      70.00         124.85         —           (43,398

Collar

   KeyBank       7,000/month    1/11 – 12/12      70.00         96.65         —           (824,939

Collar

   KeyBank       5,000/month    1/13 – 12/13      70.00         110.00         —           (170,916

Collar

   KeyBank       5,000/month    1/12 – 12/12      80.00         102.50         —           (292,723

Collar

   KeyBank       10,000/month    1/13 – 12/13      80.00         101.50         —           (365,489

Collar

   Wells Fargo    20,000/month       1/11 – 12/12      4.00         5.25         —           119,113   

Collar

   Wells Fargo    20,000/month       1/12 – 12/12      5.00         7.00         —           628,885   

3-Way Collar

   Wells Fargo    60,000/month       2/11 – 12/12      4.00/4.75         5.25         —           428,229   

Collar

   Wells Fargo    150,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      5.00         6.25         —           1,492,108   

Swap

   Wells Fargo    30,000/month       7/11 – 12/11      —           —           4.86         44,877   

3-Way Collar

   Wells Fargo    60,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      4.00/5.00         5.85         —           875,068   

Swap

   BMO    30,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      —           —           4.42         258,521   

3-Way Collar

   BMO    50,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      3.25/4.00         4.50         —           (6,054

Collar

   BMO    50,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      4.00         4.45         —           124,296   

3-Way Collar

   BMO    50,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      3.25/4.00         4.73         —           64,084   

Swap

   KeyBank    50,000/month       1/12 – 12/12      —           —           5.95         1,313,568   

Put

   KeyBank    5,000/month       1/11 – 12/11      8.00         —           —           272,398   

Collar

   KeyBank    30,000/month       7/09 – 12/12      6.00         7.38         —           887,691   

Collar

   KeyBank    20,000/month       1/10 – 12/11      5.00         7.80         —           30,800   

Collar

   KeyBank    20,000/month       1/10 – 12/12      5.00         8.58         —           346,134   

Collar

   KeyBank    20,000/month       1/10 – 12/11      5.50         6.80         —           40,800   

Put Spread

   KeyBank    60,000/month       10/10 – 12/11      3.68/5.00         —           —           79,200   

Swap

   KeyBank    60,000/month       11/10 – 12/12      —           —           5.275         1,206,491   

Swap

   KeyBank    40,000/month       1/11 – 12/11      —           —           4.66         51,837   

Swap

   KeyBank    40,000/month       4/11 – 12/11      —           —           4.27         36,238   

Collar

   KeyBank    150,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      5.00         6.25         —           1,486,075   

Collar

   KeyBank    50,000/month       4/11 – 12/12      4.30         5.25         —           440,284   

Collar

   KeyBank    80,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      5.00         5.25         —           929,707   

 

Schedule 7.20 - 1


Collar

   KeyBank    40,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      4.61         5.50         —           223,687   

Swap

   KeyBank    60,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      —           —           4.75         462,396   

Swaption

   RBC    50,000/month       1/12 – 12/14      —           —           5.25         578,272   

Put w/ premium

   RBC    70,000/month       1/13 – 12/13      5.00         —           —           269,462   

Added Subsequent to November 30, 2011:

                 

Swap

   KeyBank    30,000/month       1/12 – 12/13      —           —           4.00         158,000   

 

Schedule 7.20 - 2


SCHEDULE 9.02

EXISTING DEBT

None.

 

Schedule 9.02


SCHEDULE 9.03

EXISTING LIENS

None.

 

Schedule 9.03


SCHEDULE 9.05

INVESTMENTS

 

1. Rex Energy I, LLC owns all of the outstanding membership interest of Rex Energy Marketing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

2. The Borrower owns 80% of the outstanding membership interest of Water Solutions Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

3. R.E. Gas Development, LLC owns 28% the outstanding membership interest of Keystone Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

4. R.E. Gas Development, LLC owns 40% the outstanding membership interest of RW Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

5. R.E. Gas Development, LLC owns 51% the outstanding membership interest of Northstar #3, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

6. Rex Energy Operating Corp. owns a 24.75% limited partnership interest in Charlie Brown II Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, and a 25% membership interest in its general partner, L&B Air LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Schedule 9.05


SCHEDULE 9.14

EXISTING AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

 

1. Rex Energy Operating Corp. is in the process of amending its 401k Plan (the “Plan”) to allow employees of Water Solutions Holdings, LLC to participate in the Plan. In connection with the amendment to the Plan, Rex Energy Operating Corp. may enter into one or more agreements with Water Solutions Holding, LLC to provide clerical, administrative and management services relating to the administration of the Plan.

 

2. The use of two airplanes owned by Charlie Brown Air Corp. pursuant to an oral month-to-month agreement between Rex Energy Operating Corp. and Charlie Brown Air Corp.

 

3. The use of an Eclipse 500 Airplane to be owned by Charlie Brown II Limited Partnership pursuant to the terms of (i) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated June 21, 2007, of L&B Air LLC, (ii) the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated June 21, 2007, of Charlie Brown II Limited Partnership and (iii) the First Amended and Restated Aircraft Joint Ownership and Management Agreement, dated June 21, 2007, between Charlie Brown Air Corp. and Charlie Brown II Limited Partnership.

 

4. Northstar #3, LLC, a subsidiary of R.E. Gas Development, LLC, is the owner of a salt water disposal well and is a party to a well operating agreement with NorthStar Water Management, LLC, dated November 3, 2011.

 

5. Gas Gathering, Compression and Processing Agreement, effective December 21, 2009 by and between Keystone MidStream Services, LLC and R.E. Gas Development, LLC with Rex Energy Corporation.

 

6. Natural Gas Production Election and Marketing Agreement dated January 6, 2010 by and among Williams Production Appalachia LLC, Rex Energy I, LLC and R.E. Gas Development, LLC.

 

7. Accounting and Financial Services Agreement dated December 21, 2009 by and between Water Solutions Holdings, LLC and Rex Energy Operating Corp.

 

Schedule 9.14


SCHEDULE 9.16

EXISTING NEGATIVE PLEDGE AGREEMENTS; DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

None.

 

Schedule 9.14