THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS VICTORIA DIVISION
Exhibit 2.1
THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
VICTORIA DIVISION
) | ||||
In re: | ) | Chapter 11 | ||
) | ||||
LINN ENERGY, LLC, et al.,1 | ) | Case No. 16-60040 | ||
) | ||||
Debtors. | ) ) | (Jointly Administered) David R. Jones |
AMENDED JOINT CHAPTER 11 PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
OF LINN ENERGY, LLC AND ITS DEBTOR AFFILIATES OTHER THAN
LINN ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC AND BERRY PETROLEUM COMPANY, LLC
Paul M. Basta, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice) Stephen E. Hessler, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice) Brian S. Lennon (admitted pro hac vice) KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP KIRKLAND & ELLIS INTERNATIONAL LLP 601 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10022 Telephone: (212) 446-4800 Facsimile: (212) 446-4900 | Patricia B. Tomasco (TX Bar No. 01787600) Matthew D. Cavenaugh (TX Bar No. 24062656) Jennifer F. Wertz (TX Bar No. 24072822) JACKSON WALKER L.L.P. 1401 McKinney Street, Suite 1900 Houston, Texas 70010 Telephone: (713) 752-4200 | |
and | ||
James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice) Joseph M. Graham (admitted pro hac vice) Alexandra Schwarzman (admitted pro hac vice) KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP KIRKLAND & ELLIS INTERNATIONAL LLP 300 North LaSalle Chicago, Illinois 60654 Telephone: (312)  ###-###-#### Facsimile: (312)  ###-###-####
Co-Counsel to the Debtors and Debtors in Possession
Dated: January 25, 2017 |
1 | The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases and the last four digits of each Debtors federal tax identification number are as follows: Linn Energy, LLC (7591); Berry Petroleum Company, LLC (9387); LinnCo, LLC (6623); Linn Acquisition Company, LLC (4791); Linn Energy Finance Corp. (5453); Linn Energy Holdings, LLC (6517); Linn Exploration & Production Michigan LLC (0738); Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC (3143); Linn Midstream, LLC (9707); Linn Midwest Energy LLC (1712); Linn Operating, Inc. (3530); Mid-Continent I, LLC (1812); Mid-Continent II, LLC (1869); Mid-Continent Holdings I, LLC (1686); and Mid-Continent Holdings II, LLC (7129). The Debtors principal offices are located at JPMorgan Chase Tower, 600 Travis Street, Houston, Texas 77002. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION, COMPUTATION OF TIME, AND GOVERNING LAW | 4 | |||||
A. | Defined Terms | 4 | ||||
B. | Rules of Interpretation | 20 | ||||
C. | Computation of Time | 21 | ||||
D. | Governing Law | 21 | ||||
E. | Reference to Monetary Figures | 21 | ||||
F. | Conflicts | 21 | ||||
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS AND PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS | 21 | |||||
A. | Administrative Claims | 22 | ||||
B. | Priority Tax Claims | 24 | ||||
C. | Statutory Fees | 24 | ||||
ARTICLE III. CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS | 24 | |||||
A. | Classification of Claims and Interests | 24 | ||||
B. | Treatment of Claims and Interests | 25 | ||||
C. | Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims | 30 | ||||
D. | Elimination of Vacant Classes | 30 | ||||
E. | Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code | 30 | ||||
F. | Voting Classes; Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes | 30 | ||||
G. | Presumed Acceptance and Rejection of the Plan | 31 | ||||
H. | Intercompany Interests | 31 | ||||
I. | Controversy Concerning Impairment | 31 | ||||
J. | Subordinated Claims and Interests | 31 | ||||
ARTICLE IV. MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN | 31 | |||||
A. | General Settlement of Claims and Interests | 31 | ||||
B. | LINN Restructuring Transactions | 32 | ||||
C. | Sources of Consideration for Plan Distributions | 32 | ||||
D. | LINN Second Lien Plan Settlement | 35 | ||||
E. | Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement | 36 | ||||
F. | Corporate Existence | 36 | ||||
G. | Vesting of Assets in the Reorganized LINN Debtors | 36 | ||||
H. | Cancellation of Existing Securities and Agreements | 36 | ||||
I. | Corporate Action | 37 | ||||
J. | New Organizational Documents | 38 | ||||
K. | Directors and Officers of the Reorganized LINN Debtors | 38 | ||||
L. | Section 1146 Exemption | 39 | ||||
M. | SEC Reporting Requirements | 39 | ||||
N. | Director, Officer, Manager, and Employee Liability Insurance | 39 | ||||
O. | Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan | 39 | ||||
P. | Employee Obligations | 40 | ||||
Q. | Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions | 40 | ||||
R. | Preservation of Causes of Action | 40 | ||||
S. | Preservation of Royalty and Working Interests | 41 | ||||
T. | Payment of Certain Fees | 41 | ||||
ARTICLE V. TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES | 42 | |||||
A. | Assumption and Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases | 42 | ||||
B. | Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases | 43 | ||||
C. | Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases | 43 | ||||
D. | Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases | 43 | ||||
E. | Indemnification Obligations | 44 |
F. | Insurance Policies | 44 | ||||
G. | Modifications, Amendments, Supplements, Restatements, or Other Agreements | 44 | ||||
H. | Reservation of Rights | 44 | ||||
I. | Nonoccurrence of Effective Date | 44 | ||||
J. | Contracts and Leases Entered Into After the Petition Date | 45 | ||||
ARTICLE VI. PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS | 45 | |||||
A. | Timing and Calculation of Amounts to Be Distributed | 45 | ||||
B. | Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions | 45 | ||||
C. | Manner of Payment | 47 | ||||
D. | SEC Exemption | 47 | ||||
E. | Compliance with Tax Requirements | 48 | ||||
F. | No Postpetition or Default Interest on Claims | 49 | ||||
G. | Setoffs and Recoupment | 49 | ||||
H. | No Double Payment of Claims | 49 | ||||
I. | Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties | 49 | ||||
J. | Allocation of Distributions Between Principal and Interest | 50 | ||||
ARTICLE VII. PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT, UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS | 50 | |||||
A. | Allowance of Claims | 50 | ||||
B. | Claims Administration Responsibilities | 50 | ||||
C. | LINN Creditor Representative | 51 | ||||
D. | LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool; LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool | 51 | ||||
E. | Estimation of Claims | 52 | ||||
F. | Claims Reserve | 52 | ||||
G. | Adjustment to Claims without Objection | 53 | ||||
H. | Time to File Objections to Claims or Interests | 53 | ||||
I. | Disallowance of Claims | 53 | ||||
J. | Amendments to Proofs of Claim | 53 | ||||
K. | Reimbursement or Contribution | 54 | ||||
L. | No Distributions Pending Allowance | 54 | ||||
M. | Distributions After Allowance | 54 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII. SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS | 54 | |||||
A. | Compromise and Settlement of Claims, Interests, and Controversies | 54 | ||||
B. | Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests | 54 | ||||
C. | Release of Liens | 55 | ||||
D. | Releases by the Debtors | 55 | ||||
E. | Releases by Holders of Claims and Interests | 56 | ||||
F. | Exculpation | 56 | ||||
G. | Injunction | 57 | ||||
H. | Protections Against Discriminatory Treatment | 57 | ||||
I. | Regulatory Activities | 57 | ||||
J. | Recoupment | 57 | ||||
K. | Document Retention | 58 | ||||
ARTICLE IX. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONFIRMATION AND CONSUMMATION OF THE PLAN | 58 | |||||
A. | Conditions Precedent to Confirmation | 58 | ||||
B. | Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date | 60 | ||||
C. | Waiver of Conditions | 60 | ||||
D. | Substantial Consummation | 61 | ||||
E. | Effect of Failure of Conditions | 61 |
2
ARTICLE X. MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF THE PLAN | 61 | |||||
A. | Modification and Amendments | 61 | ||||
B. | Effect of Confirmation on Modifications | 61 | ||||
C. | Revocation or Withdrawal of Plan | 61 | ||||
ARTICLE XI. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION | 61 | |||||
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 64 | |||||
A. | Immediate Binding Effect | 64 | ||||
B. | Additional Documents | 64 | ||||
C. | Dissolution of the Committee | 64 | ||||
D. | Payment of Statutory Fees | 64 | ||||
E. | Reservation of Rights | 64 | ||||
F. | Successors and Assigns | 65 | ||||
G. | Notices | 65 | ||||
H. | Term of Injunctions or Stays | 67 | ||||
I. | Entire Agreement | 67 | ||||
J. | Exhibits | 67 | ||||
K. | Nonseverability of Plan Provisions | 68 | ||||
L. | Votes Solicited in Good Faith | 68 | ||||
M. | Waiver or Estoppel | 68 | ||||
N. | Closing of Chapter 11 Cases | 68 |
3
INTRODUCTION
Linn Energy, LLC and its debtor affiliates, other than Linn Acquisition Company, LLC and Berry Petroleum Company, LLC, as debtors and debtors in possession propose this amended joint plan of reorganization (the Plan) for the resolution of the outstanding claims against, and interests in, such Debtors pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Article I.A of the Plan. Holders of Claims and Interests should refer to the Disclosure Statement for a discussion of the Debtors history, businesses, assets, results of operations, historical financial information, events during the Chapter 11 Cases, and projections of future operations, as well as a summary and description of the Plan and certain related matters. The LINN Debtors are the proponents of the Plan within the meaning of section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Plan constitutes a separate plan of reorganization for each of the LINN Debtors. The Debtors will seek confirmation of a separate plan of reorganization that shall govern the terms of the restructuring of Linn Acquisition Company, LLC and Berry Petroleum Company, LLC.
ALL HOLDERS OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS ENTITLED TO VOTE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE PLAN ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PLAN AND THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE VOTING TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE PLAN.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION,
COMPUTATION OF TIME, AND GOVERNING LAW
A. Defined Terms.
As used in the Plan, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Introduction above or in the definitions below.
1. 503(b)(9) Claim means a Claim or any portion thereof entitled to administrative expense priority pursuant to section 503(b)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code.
2. Adequate Protection Claims means the Linn First Lien Adequate Protection Claims as defined in the Cash Collateral Order.
3. Ad Hoc Group of Berry Unsecured Noteholders means that certain ad hoc group of Holders of senior unsecured notes issued by Berry represented by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, and Houlihan Lokey, Inc., or any of its members or their affiliates.
4. Ad Hoc Group of LINN Second Lien Noteholders means that certain ad hoc group of holders of LINN Second Lien Notes represented by OMelveny & Myers LLP and Intrepid Financial Partners, or any of its members or their affiliates.
5. Ad Hoc Group of LINN Unsecured Noteholders means that certain ad hoc group of holders of LINN Unsecured Notes represented by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and PJT Partners, or any of its members or their affiliates.
6. Ad Hoc LINN Noteholder Groups means, collectively, the Ad Hoc Group of LINN Unsecured Noteholders and the Ad Hoc Group of LINN Second Lien Noteholders.
7. Administrative Claim means a Claim for costs and expenses of administration of the LINN Estates under sections 503(b) (including 503(b)(9) Claims), 507(b), or 1114(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, including: (a) the actual and necessary costs and expenses incurred after the Petition Date through the Effective Date of preserving the LINN Estates and operating the businesses of the LINN Debtors; (b) Allowed Professional Fee Claims; (c) all fees and charges assessed against the Estates under chapter 123 of title 28 of the United States Code, 28 U.S.C. §§ 19111930; and (d) all Intercompany Claims authorized pursuant to the Cash Management Order (subject to the terms of the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement) to the extent provided in the Cash Management Order.
4
8. Administrative Claims Bar Date means the deadline for Filing requests for payment of Administrative Claims other than those that accrued in the ordinary course of the LINN Debtors business, which such deadline: (a) with respect to General Administrative Claims, shall be 30 days after the Effective Date; and (b) with respect to Professional Fee Claims, shall be 60 days after the Effective Date.
9. Affiliate has the meaning set forth in section 101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.
10. Allowed means with respect to any Claim or Interest, except as otherwise provided herein: (a) a Claim or Interest in a liquidated amount as to which no objection has been Filed prior to the Claims Objection Deadline and that is evidenced by a Proof of Claim or Interest, as applicable, timely Filed by the applicable Bar Date or that is not required to be evidenced by a Filed Proof of Claim or Interest, as applicable, under the Plan, the Bankruptcy Code, or a Final Order; (b) a Claim or Interest that is scheduled by the Debtors as neither disputed, contingent, nor unliquidated, and as for which no Proof of Claim or Interest, as applicable, has been timely Filed in an unliquidated or a different amount; or (c) a Claim or Interest that is upheld or otherwise Allowed (i) pursuant to the Plan, (ii) in any stipulation that is approved by the Bankruptcy Court, (iii) pursuant to any contract, instrument, indenture, or other agreement entered into or assumed in connection herewith, or (iv) by Final Order (including any such Claim to which the Debtors had objected or which the Bankruptcy Court had disallowed prior to such Final Order); provided, that with respect to a Claim or Interest described in clauses (a) and (b) above, such Claim or Interest shall be considered Allowed only if and to the extent that with respect to such Claim or Interest no objection to the allowance thereof has been or, in the Debtors or Reorganized Debtors reasonable good faith judgment, may be interposed within the applicable period of time fixed by the Plan, the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, or the Court, or such an objection is so interposed and the Claim or Interest, as applicable, shall have been Allowed by a Final Order. Any Claim that has been or is hereafter listed in the Schedules as contingent, unliquidated, or disputed, and for which no Proof of Claim or Interest is or has been timely Filed, is not considered Allowed and shall be expunged without further action by the LINN Debtors and without further notice to any party or action, approval, or order of the Court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Claim of any Entity subject to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be deemed Allowed unless and until such Entity pays in full the amount that it owes such LINN Debtor or Reorganized LINN Debtor, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, a Proof of Claim or Interest Filed after the Bar Date shall not be Allowed for any purposes whatsoever absent entry of a Final Order allowing such late-Filed Claim. Allow and Allowing shall have correlative meanings.
11. Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases means those Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be assumed by the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtors, as set forth on the Assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List.
12. Assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List means the list, as determined by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (with proposed cure amounts) that will be assumed by the Reorganized LINN Debtors, which list shall be included in the Plan Supplement; provided, that such list with respect to material Executory Contracts and/or material Unexpired Leases shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required LINN Consenting Creditors.
13. Bankruptcy Code means title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 1011532, as amended from time to time.
14. Bankruptcy Court means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas or any other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases, including, to the extent of the withdrawal of any reference under 28 U.S.C. § 157, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
15. Bankruptcy Rules means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure promulgated under section 2075 of the Judicial Code and the general, local, and chambers rules of the Bankruptcy Court.
5
16. Bar Date means the applicable dates established by which respective Proofs of Claims and Interests must be Filed pursuant to the Order (I) Setting Bar Dates for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including Requests for Payment under Section 503(b)(9), (II) Establishing Amended Schedules Bar Date and Rejection Damages Bar Date, (III) Approving the Form of and Manner for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including Section 503(b)(9) Requests, and (IV) Approving Notice of Bar Dates, dated August 4, 2016 [Docket No. 756].
17. Berry means Berry Petroleum Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
18. Berry Administrative Agent means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2010, by and among Berry, the Berry Administrative Agent, and the lenders and agents party thereto, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
19. Berry Debtors means Berry and LAC.
20. Berry Intercompany Settled Claims means those certain intercompany claims held by the LINN Debtors against the Berry Debtors that shall be settled pursuant to the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement and the Plan.
21. Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement means that certain settlement of the Berry Intercompany Settled Claims and the LINN Intercompany Settled Claims pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement Term Sheet, which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the LINN Debtors, the Berry Debtors, and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors.
22. Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement Term Sheet means that certain term sheet with respect to the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement to be included in the Plan Supplement.
23. Business Day means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday (as defined in Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a)).
24. Cash means the legal tender of the U.S. and equivalents thereof, including bank deposits, checks, and other similar items.
25. Cash Collateral Order means the Final Order under 11 U.S.C. §§ 105, 361, 362, 363, 507 and 552, and Bankruptcy Rules 2002, 4001 and 9014 (I) Authorizing Debtors to Use Cash Collateral and (II) Granting Adequate Protection to Prepetition Lenders [Docket No. 743], as may be amended.
26. Cash Management Order means the Final Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to (A) Continue to Operate Their Cash Management System and Maintain Existing Bank Accounts and (B) Continue to Perform Intercompany Transactions, and (II) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 731], as may be amended.
27. Causes of Action means any claims, interests, damages, remedies, causes of action, demands, rights, actions, suits, obligations, liabilities, accounts, defenses, offsets, powers, privileges, licenses, liens, indemnities, guaranties, and franchises of any kind or character whatsoever, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, existing or hereinafter arising, contingent or non-contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, assertable, directly or derivatively, matured or unmatured, suspected or unsuspected, in contract, tort, law, equity, or otherwise. Causes of Action also include: (a) all rights of setoff, counterclaim, cross claim, reduction, subordination, or recoupment and claims under contracts or for breaches of duties imposed by law or regulation; (b) the right to object to or otherwise contest Claims or Interests; (c) claims pursuant to sections 362, 510, 542, 543, 544 through 550, or 553 of the Bankruptcy Code; and (d) such claims and defenses as fraud, mistake, duress, and usury, and any other defenses set forth in section 558 of the Bankruptcy Code.
6
28. Chapter 11 Cases means, collectively: (a) when used with reference to a particular Debtor, the case pending for that Debtor under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court; and (b) when used with reference to all the Debtors, the procedurally consolidated and jointly administered chapter 11 cases pending for the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court.
29. Claim means any claim, as defined in section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, against any of the LINN Debtors.
30. Claims and Noticing Agent means Prime Clerk LLC, retained as the Debtors notice and claims agent pursuant to the Order Authorizing Retention and Appointment of Prime Clerk LLC as the Claims, Noticing, and Solicitation Agent [Docket No. 79].
31. Claims Objection Deadline means the later of: (a) the date that is 180 days after the Effective Date; and (b) such other date as may be fixed by the Bankruptcy Court, after notice and hearing, upon a motion Filed before the expiration of the deadline to object to Claims or Interests.
32. Claims Register means the official register of Claims maintained by the Claims and Noticing Agent.
33. Class means a category of Claims or Interests as set forth in Article III of the Plan.
34. CM/ECF means the Bankruptcy Courts Case Management and Electronic Case Filing system.
35. Committee means the statutory committee of unsecured creditors of the Debtors, appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to section 1102 of the Bankruptcy Code by the U.S. Trustee on May 23, 2016, the membership of which may be reconstituted from time to time.
36. Confirmation means the entry of the Confirmation Order on the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases.
37. Confirmation Date means the date upon which the Bankruptcy Court enters the Confirmation Order on the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases, within the meaning of Bankruptcy Rules 5003 and 9021.
38. Confirmation Hearing means the hearing held by the Bankruptcy Court to consider Confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
39. Confirmation Order means the order of the Bankruptcy Court confirming the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
40. Consenting LINN Creditors means, collectively, (a) the Consenting LINN Lenders, and (b) the Consenting LINN Noteholders.
41. Consenting LINN Lenders means those certain Holders of LINN Lender Claims that are or become parties to the LINN RSA from time to time.
42. Consenting LINN Noteholders means those certain Holders of LINN Notes that are or become parties to the LINN RSA from time to time (including any party having the ability to direct or control such notes).
43. Consummation means the occurrence of the Effective Date.
44. Cure Claim means a Claim (unless waived or modified by the applicable counterparty) based upon the LINN Debtors defaults on an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease at the time such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease is assumed by the LINN Debtors pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, other than with respect to a default that is not required to be cured under section 365(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.
45. Debtors means, collectively: (a) Linn Energy, LLC; (b) Berry Petroleum Company, LLC; (c) LinnCo, LLC; (d) Linn Acquisition Company, LLC; (e) Linn Energy Finance Corp.; (f) Linn Energy Holdings, LLC; (g) Linn Exploration & Production Michigan LLC; (h) Linn Exploration Midcontinent, LLC; (i) Linn Midstream, LLC; (j) Linn Midwest Energy LLC; (k) Linn Operating, Inc.; (l) Mid-Continent I, LLC; (m) Mid-Continent II, LLC; (n) Mid-Continent Holdings I, LLC; and (o) Mid-Continent Holdings II, LLC.
7
46. D&O Liability Insurance Policies means all insurance policies (including any tail policy) of any of the LINN Debtors for current or former directors, managers, and officers liability.
47. Disclosure Statement means the Disclosure Statement for the Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of LINN Energy, LLC and Its Debtor Affiliates Other than Linn Acquisition Company, LLC and Berry Petroleum Company, LLC, dated December 12, 2016 [Docket No. 1342], as may be amended, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, as approved pursuant to the Disclosure Statement Order.
48. Disclosure Statement Order means the Order (A) Approving the Disclosure Statement, (B) Establishing the Voting Record Date, Voting Deadline, and Other Dates, (C) Approving Procedures for Soliciting, Receiving, and Tabulating Votes on the Plan and for Filing Objections to the Plan, and (D) Approving the Manner and Forms of Notice and Other Related Documents [Docket No. 1348].
49. Disputed means with regard to any Claim or Interest, a Claim or Interest that is not yet Allowed.
50. Distribution Record Date means, other than with respect to any publicly-held securities, the record date for purposes of making distributions under the Plan on account of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests, which date shall be the date that is five (5) Business Days after the Confirmation Date or such other date as designated in a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court; provided, that the Distribution Record Date for the LINN Lender Paydown shall be on or before the Effective Date.
51. DTC means the Depository Trust Company.
52. Effective Date means, with respect to the Plan and any such applicable LINN Debtor(s), the date that is the first Business Day upon which: (a) no stay of the Confirmation Order is in effect; (b) with respect to the LINN Debtors, all conditions precedent specified in Article IX.A and Article IX.B have been satisfied or waived (in accordance with Article IX.C); and (c) the Plan is declared effective with respect to such applicable LINN Debtor(s).
53. Entity has the meaning set forth in section 101(15) of the Bankruptcy Code.
54. Estate means, as to each Debtor, the estate created for the Debtor in its Chapter 11 Case pursuant to section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code.
55. Exchange Act means Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
56. Exculpated Parties means, collectively, and in each case in its capacity as such: (a) each of the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors; (b) the Consenting LINN Creditors; (c) the LINN Administrative Agent; (d) the LINN Indenture Trustees; (e) the LINN Backstop Parties; (f) the Committee and each of its members; (g) the LINN Creditor Representative; and (h) with respect to each of the foregoing, such Entity and its current and former Affiliates, and such Entitys and its current and former Affiliates current and former members, equity holders (regardless of whether such interests are held directly or indirectly), subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, predecessors, successors, assigns, principals, members, employees, agents, advisory board members, financial advisors, partners, attorneys, accountants, restructuring advisors, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals, each in their capacity as such.
57. Executory Contract means a contract to which one or more of the LINN Debtors is a party and that is subject to assumption or rejection under sections 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
58. Federal Judgment Rate means the federal judgment rate in effect as of the Petition Date, compounded annually.
8
59. File, Filed, or Filing means file, filed, or filing in the Chapter 11 Cases with the Bankruptcy Court or its authorized designee in the Chapter 11 Cases, including with respect to a Proof of Claim or Proof of Interest, the Claims and Noticing Agent.
60. Final Order means (i) an order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court, as entered on the docket in any Chapter 11 Case (or any related adversary proceeding or contested matter) or the docket of any other court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) an order or judgment of any other court having jurisdiction over any appeal from (or petition seeking certiorari or other review of) any order or judgment entered by the Bankruptcy Court (or any other court of competent jurisdiction, including in an appeal taken) in the Chapter 11 Case (or in any related adversary proceeding or contested matter), in each case that has not been reversed, stayed, modified, or amended, and as to which the time to appeal, or seek certiorari or move for a new trial, reargument, or rehearing has expired according to applicable law and no appeal or petition for certiorari or other proceedings for a new trial, reargument, or rehearing has been timely taken, or as to which any appeal that has been taken or any petition for certiorari that has been or may be timely Filed has been withdrawn or resolved by the highest court to which the order or judgment was appealed or from which certiorari was sought or the new trial, reargument, or rehearing shall have been denied, resulted in no modification of such order, or has otherwise been dismissed with prejudice; provided, however, that the possibility a motion under Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or any analogous rule under the Bankruptcy Rules or the Local Bankruptcy Rules of the Bankruptcy Court, may be filed relating to such order shall not prevent such order from being a Final Order.
61. Form Joint Operating Agreement means one or more joint operating agreements reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the LINN Debtors, the Required Consenting LINN Creditors, and the Berry Debtors that shall replace the existing agency agreements for the LINN Debtors and Berry and shall contain standard provisions governing the rights and obligations afforded an operator and non-operating working interest owner.
62. General Administrative Claim means any Administrative Claim, other than a Professional Fee Claim or an Adequate Protection Claim.
63. Governmental Unit has the meaning set forth in section 101(27) of the Bankruptcy Code.
64. Holder means an Entity holding a Claim or an Interest, as applicable.
65. Impaired means, with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Class of Claims or Interests that is impaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
66. Indemnification Obligations means each of the LINN Debtors indemnification obligations in place as of the Effective Date, whether in the bylaws, certificates of incorporation or formation, limited liability company agreements, other organizational or formation documents, board resolutions, management or indemnification agreements, or employment or other contracts, for their current and former directors, officers, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, and other professionals and agents of the LINN Debtors, as applicable.
67. Insurance Policies means any insurance policies, insurance settlement agreements, coverage-in-place agreements, or other agreements relating to the provision of insurance entered into by or issued to or for the benefit of any of the LINN Debtors or their predecessors.
68. Intercompany Claim means any Claim between one LINN Debtor and another LINN Debtor.
69. Interest means any equity security (as defined in section 101(16) of the Bankruptcy Code) in any LINN Debtor and any other rights, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights, restricted stock units, redemption rights, repurchase rights, convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities or other agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to, or whose value is related to, any such interest or other ownership interest in any Entity.
9
70. Interim Compensation Order means the Order Establishing Procedures for Interim Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses for Professionals [Docket No. 721].
71. Interior means the United States Department of the Interior.
72. Internal Revenue Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
73. Investment Company Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
74. IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
75. Judicial Code means title 28 of the United States Code, 28 U.S.C. §§ 14001.
76. Lien has the meaning set forth in section 101(37) of the Bankruptcy Code.
77. LAC means Linn Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
78. LINN means Linn Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
79. LINN 2019 Unsecured Notes means, collectively, (a) the 6.5% senior notes due May 2019, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2011 Unsecured Notes Indenture, and (b) the 6.25% senior notes due November 2019, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2012 Unsecured Notes Indenture.
80. LINN 2020 Unsecured Notes means those certain 8.625% senior notes due 2020, issued by LINN and LINN Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN April 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture.
81. LINN 2021 Unsecured Notes means, collectively, (a) those certain 7.75% senior notes due February 2021, issued by LINN and LINN Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN September 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture, and (b) those certain 6.50% senior notes due September 2021, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2014 Unsecured Notes Indenture.
82. LINN 2011 Unsecured Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2011, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
83. LINN 2012 Unsecured Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2012, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
84. LINN 2014 Unsecured Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of September 9, 2014, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
85. LINN Administrative Agent means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent under the LINN Credit Agreement.
86. LINN April 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of April 6, 2010, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
87. LINN Backstop Agreement means that certain Backstop Commitment Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2016, by and among LINN and the LINN Backstop Parties, as may be amended, restated, or supplemented from time to time.
10
88. LINN Backstop Agreement Order means the Order Approving Motion of LINN Energy LLC and Certain of Its Debtor Affiliates for Authority to (A) Enter Into Backstop Agreement, (B) Pay Related Fees and Expenses, and (C) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 1179].
89. LINN Backstop Commitment Letter means that certain LINN Backstop Commitment Letter, dated as of October 7, 2016, by and among LINN and the LINN Backstop Parties (and any assignees thereof), as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith, including all exhibits and schedules attached thereto.
90. LINN Backstop Commitment Premium means a commitment premium equal to 4.0 percent of the LINN Rights Offerings Amount, of which 3.0 percent shall be paid in Cash and 1.0 percent shall be paid by Reorganized LINN in Reorganized LINN Common Stock at a 25 percent discount to LINN Plan Value pursuant to the terms of the LINN Backstop Agreement Order.
91. LINN Backstop Parties means, collectively, (a) the LINN Backstop Unsecured Parties, (b) the LINN Backstop Secured Parties, and (c) any assignees of (a) or (b), as permitted by the LINN Backstop Agreement.
92. LINN Backstop Secured Parties means those certain Holders of LINN Second Lien Notes Claims that are parties to the LINN Backstop Agreement as of the relevant determination date who have agreed to provide a backstop commitment with regard to the LINN Secured Rights Offering.
93. LINN Backstop Unsecured Parties means those certain Holders of LINN Unsecured Notes Claims that are parties to the LINN Backstop Agreement as of the relevant determination date who have agreed to provide a backstop commitment with regard to the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering.
94. LinnCo means LinnCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
95. LINN Convenience Claim means each Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim in an Allowed amount that is greater than $0 but less than or equal to $2,500; provided, that a Holder of an Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim may elect on its ballot to have such Claim irrevocably reduced to $2,500 and treated as a LINN Convenience Claim for the purposes of the Plan in full and final satisfaction of such Claim.
96. LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool means an aggregate amount of $2,300,000 in Cash, which shall be irrevocably funded on the Effective Date by the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, and which shall be placed in a segregated bank account not subject to the control of the lenders or the administrative agent under the LINN Exit Facility, and administered by the Reorganized LINN Debtors for the benefit of Holders of Allowed LINN Convenience Claims and which account shall not, at any time, be subject to any liens, security interests, mortgages, or other encumbrances; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, no fees of any Professional of any LINN Debtor, Reorganized LINN Debtor, or the LINN Creditor Representative shall be paid out of the funds that comprise the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool.
97. LINN Credit Agreement means that certain Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2013, by and among LINN, as borrower, the LINN Administrative Agent, and the lenders and agents party thereto, as may be amended, modified, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
98. LINN Creditor Representative means the representative appointed by the Committee to represent the interests of Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims and to consult with the LINN Debtors and Reorganized LINN Debtors and take other appropriate actions set forth in the Plan, as applicable, in the claims reconciliation process with respect to Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claims asserted against the LINN Debtors; provided, that the identity of the LINN Creditor Representative shall be disclosed in the Plan Supplement.
99. LINN Debtors means, collectively, the Debtors other than the Berry Debtors.
100. LINN Exit Facility means (a) the Reorganized LINN Term Loan and (b) the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan, each on such terms as set forth in the LINN Exit Facility Documents.
11
101. LINN Exit Facility Documents means in connection with the LINN Exit Facility, the credit agreement in respect of the Reorganized LINN Term Loan and the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan, collateral documents, Uniform Commercial Code statements, and other loan documents, to be dated as of the Effective Date, governing the LINN Exit Facility, which documents shall be included in the Plan Supplement, and which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors and consistent with the LINN Exit Facility Term Sheet.
102. LINN Exit Facility Term Sheet means that certain take-back paper term sheet setting forth the principal terms of the LINN Exit Facility, attached as Exhibit B to the LINN RSA.
103. LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution means 100 percent of the shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock to be issued as distributions under the Plan, subject to dilution by the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan, and the LINN Rights Offerings (including the portion of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium payable in Reorganized LINN Common Stock), which shares shall be allocated Pro Rata among the holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims and Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims based on the amount of such Holders Allowed LINN Notes Claims as a percentage of the aggregate amount of all Allowed LINN Notes Claims.
104. LINN General Unsecured Claims means, with respect to any LINN Debtor, any Unsecured Claim against such LINN Debtor that is (a) not otherwise paid in full pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court, (b) is not a LINN Unsecured Notes Claim, and (c) is not a LINN Second Lien Notes Claim.
105. LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool means an aggregate amount of $37,700,000 in Cash (subject to the upward and downward adjustment with respect to the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool dictated by Article VII.D), which shall be irrevocably funded on the Effective Date by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, and which shall be placed in a segregated bank account not subject to the control of the lenders or the administrative agent under the LINN Exit Facility, and administered by the Reorganized LINN Debtors for the sole benefit of the Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims and for the payment of costs related to the LINN Creditor Representative, and which account shall not, at any time, be subject to any liens, security interests, mortgages, or other encumbrances; provided, however, that in no event shall Allowed General Unsecured Claims be entitled to Cash in a total amount greater than the sum of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool.
106. LINN Indenture Trustee Charging Liens means any Lien or other priority in payment arising prior to the Effective Date to which a LINN Indenture Trustee is entitled, pursuant to the applicable LINN Notes Indenture, against distributions to be made to the Holders of the LINN Notes for payment of the LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses.
107. LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses means the Claims for reasonable and documented compensation, fees, expenses, and disbursements arising under the LINN Notes Indentures, including, without limitation, attorneys, financial advisors, and agents fees, expenses, and disbursements, incurred under the LINN Notes Indentures by a LINN Indenture Trustee, prior to or after the Petition Date and prior to the Effective Date.
108. LINN Indenture Trustees means, collectively, (a) the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, and (b) the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee.
109. LINN Intercompany Claim means any Claim held by any Debtor against a LINN Debtor, other than the LINN Intercompany Settled Claims.
110. LINN Intercompany Interest means any Interest in a LINN Debtor other than LinnCo and LINN and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Interest in the Berry Debtors.
111. LINN Intercompany Settled Claims means those certain intercompany claims held by the Berry Debtors against the LINN Debtors that shall be settled pursuant to the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement.
12
112. LINN Intercreditor Agreement means that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2015, by and between Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as priority lien agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as second lien collateral trustee, as may be amended, modified, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
113. LINN Lender means any secured party under the LINN Credit Agreement or Loan Documents (as defined in the LINN Credit Agreement).
114. LINN Lender Claims means any Claim against the LINN Debtors derived from or based on the LINN Credit Agreement, including the Adequate Protection Claims. The LINN Lender Claims are Allowed Claims as set forth in the proof of claim filed by the LINN Administrative Agent.
115. LINN Lender Paydown means the Cash payments equal to the sum of (a) $500 million from Cash proceeds of the LINN Rights Offerings, plus (b) other amounts from the LINN Debtors Cash on hand (net of costs and expenses of the Chapter 11 Cases) consistent with the Plan and subject to the anti-cash hoarding provisions in the LINN Exit Facility Documents; provided, that each Non-Electing Lender shall not receive any portion of the LINN Lender Paydown and shall receive only a Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note in a principal amount equal to its Allowed LINN Lender Claim; provided, further, that each Consenting LINN Lender shall receive a LINN Lender Paydown payment in the amount of (a) its Allowed LINN Lender Claim less (b) the sum of the amount of such Consenting LINN Lenders Allowed LINN Lender Claim that is deemed to be a drawn loan pursuant to each of (x) the Reorganized LINN Term Loan and (y) the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan, plus (c) on a pro forma basis with respect to all Consenting LINN Lenders its share of the amount that would otherwise be payable to Non-Electing Lenders, if such Non-Electing Lenders were Consenting LINN Lenders.
116. LINN Notes means, collectively, (a) the LINN Unsecured Notes, and (b) the LINN Second Lien Notes.
117. LINN Notes Claims means, at any time, the Claims represented by the LINN Notes.
118. LINN Notes Indentures means, collectively, (a) the LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture, and (b) the LINN Unsecured Notes Indentures.
119. LINN Plan Value means the equity value of Reorganized LINN (after including cash on hand of Reorganized LINN in excess of $50,000,000) pro forma for the restructured capital structure, including after giving effect to the participation in the LINN Rights Offerings by Holders of Allowed LINN Notes Claims, based on an enterprise value of $2.35 billion (which enterprise value excludes cash on hand of Reorganized LINN in excess of $50,000,000), as determined in the manner specified in the LINN Backstop Agreement.
120. LINN Restructuring Transactions means, collectively, those mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, arrangements, continuances, restructurings, transfers, conversions, dispositions, liquidations, dissolutions, or other corporate transactions that the LINN Debtors, the Required Consenting LINN Creditors, and the LINN Backstop Parties reasonably determine to be necessary or desirable to implement the Plan with respect to the LINN Debtors in a manner consistent with the LINN RSA and the LINN Backstop Agreement, including, without limitation, the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Exit Facility, the transactions contemplated by the New Organizational Documents, the transfer of assets to the Reorganized LINN Debtors that is intended to be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the formation of Reorganized LINN, in each case, subject to the reasonable consent and approval rights of the applicable parties as set forth in the LINN RSA and the LINN Backstop Agreement, and the establishment and funding of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool.
121. LINN Rights means the non-certificated rights that will enable the Holders thereof to purchase shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at an aggregate purchase price of $530 million at a price per share to be determined based on a 20 percent discount to LINN Plan Value; provided, however, that in no event shall the shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued pursuant to the LINN Rights (including any such shares to be purchased by the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement), taken together with the shares
13
of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued by Reorganized LINN pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, collectively comprise less than 50.1 percent of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock outstanding as of the Effective Date.
122. LINN Rights Offerings means, collectively, (a) the LINN Secured Rights Offering; and (b) the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering, both of which shall be conducted in connection with the LINN Restructuring Transactions pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement and LINN Backstop Agreement Order, and in accordance with the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures.
123. LINN Rights Offerings Amount means $530 million in aggregate amount of LINN Rights (as divided between (a) the LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount and (b) the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount).
124. LINN Rights Offerings Allowed Claims means, collectively, (a) the Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, and (b) the Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims.
125. LINN Rights Offerings Participants means, collectively, (a) the Holders of the LINN Rights Offering Allowed Claims as of the LINN Rights Offerings Record Date, and (b) the LINN Backstop Parties.
126. LINN Rights Offerings Procedures means those certain rights offering procedures with respect to the LINN Rights Offerings, attached to the Disclosure Statement Order.
127. LINN Rights Offerings Record Date means the record date set by the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures, as of which date an Entity must be a record Holder of LINN Rights Offerings Allowed Claims in order to be eligible to be a LINN Rights Offerings Participant.
128. LINN RSA means that certain First Amended and Restated Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2016, by and between the LINN Debtors (other than LinnCo) and the Consenting LINN Creditors, as may be amended, restated, or supplemented from time to time.
129. LINN Second Lien Notes means those certain 12.00% senior secured second lien notes issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture.
130. LINN Second Lien Notes Claims means any Claim derived from or arising under the LINN Second Lien Notes, the LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture, the LINN Second Lien Notes Collateral Agreement, or the LINN Second Lien Settlement Agreement, which are deemed Allowed pursuant to Article III.B.4 herein.
131. LINN Second Lien Notes Collateral Agreement means that certain Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2015, by and among LINN, the guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral trustee, as may be amended, modified, or supplemented.
132. LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2015, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, and the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, as may be amended, supplemented or modified.
133. LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee means Delaware Trust Company, as successor trustee and collateral trustee under the LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture.
134. LINN Second Lien Plan Settlement means that certain settlement of the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, as authorized pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 and section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, embodied in the LINN RSA, the terms of which are set forth in Article IV.D of the Plan.
135. LINN Second Lien Settlement Agreement means that certain Settlement Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2016, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, and the Holders of the LINN Second Lien Notes party thereto, as may be amended, modified, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
14
136. LINN Secured Rights means the non-certificated rights to be distributed to the Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims that will enable the Holder thereof to purchase shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock in the LINN Secured Rights Offering pursuant to the terms of the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures and the LINN Backstop Agreement.
137. LINN Secured Rights Offering means the offering of LINN Secured Rights to the Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims as of the LINN Rights Offerings Record Date, pursuant to which such Holders are eligible to receive shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at the LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount, to be conducted in accordance with the applicable LINN Rights Offerings Procedures.
138. LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount means $210,995,592 in aggregate amount of LINN Secured Rights to receive shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at a price per share to be determined as described under the definition of LINN Rights.
139. LINN September 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of September 13, 2010, by and among LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp., as issuers, the guarantors party thereto, and the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, as may be amended, restated, or otherwise supplemented from time to time.
140. LINN Unsecured Rights means the non-certificated rights to be distributed to the Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims as of the LINN Rights Offerings Record Date, pursuant to which such Holders are eligible to receive shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount.
141. LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount means $319,004,408 in aggregate amount of LINN Unsecured Rights to receive shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at a price per share to be determined as described under the definition of LINN Rights.
142. LINN Unsecured Rights Offering means the offering of LINN Unsecured Rights to the Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims as of the LINN Rights Offerings Record Date, pursuant to which such Holders are eligible to receive shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock at the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount, to be conducted in accordance with the applicable LINN Rights Offerings Procedures.
143. LINN Unsecured Notes means, collectively, (a) the LINN 2019 Unsecured Notes, (b) the LINN 2020 Unsecured Notes, and (c) the LINN 2021 Unsecured Notes.
144. LINN Unsecured Notes Claims means any Claim derived from or arising under the LINN Unsecured Notes, which shall be Allowed pursuant to this Plan.
145. LINN Unsecured Notes Indentures means, collectively, (a) the LINN April 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture, (b) LINN September 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture, (c) LINN 2011 Unsecured Notes Indenture, (d) LINN 2012 Unsecured Notes Indenture, and (e) LINN 2014 Unsecured Notes Indenture.
146. LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee means Wilmington Trust Company, in its capacity as successor trustee to U.S. Bank National Association under the LINN Unsecured Notes Indentures.
147. NASDAQ means the NASDAQ Stock Market.
148. New Organizational Documents means such certificates or articles of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company operating agreements, or other applicable formation and governance documents of each of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (or their applicable subsidiaries), as applicable, the form of which shall be included in the Plan Supplement, and which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders.
15
149. Non-Electing Lender has the meaning set forth in Article III.B.3(c) herein.
150. NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange.
151. Ordinary Course Professional Order means the Order Authorizing the Retention and Compensation of Certain Professionals Utilized in the Ordinary Course of Business [Docket No. 397].
152. Original LINN RSA means that certain Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2016, by and among the LINN Lenders party thereto, the holders of certain Claims against Berry party thereto, and the Debtors.
153. Other LINN Priority Claims means any Claim against a LINN Debtor, other than an Administrative Claim or a Priority Tax Claim, entitled to priority in right of payment under section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
154. Other LINN Secured Claims means any Secured Claim against any of the LINN Debtors other than LINN Lender Claims.
155. Person has the meaning set forth in section 101(41) of the Bankruptcy Code.
156. Petition Date means May 11, 2016, the date on which the Debtors commenced the Chapter 11 Cases.
157. Plan Supplement means the compilation of documents and forms of documents, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan, to be Filed by the Debtors no later than 14 days before the Confirmation Hearing or such later date as may be approved by the Bankruptcy Court on notice to parties in interest, and additional documents Filed with the Bankruptcy Court before the Effective Date as amendments to the Plan Supplement comprised of, among other documents, the following: (a) the New Organizational Documents; (b) the Assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List; (c) the Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List; (d) a list of retained Causes of Action; (e) the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements; (f) the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement; (g) the LINN Backstop Agreement; (h) the identity of the members of the Reorganized LINN Board and management for the Reorganized LINN Debtors; (i) the LINN Exit Facility Documents; (j) the Transition Services Agreement; (k) the Form Joint Operating Agreement; and (l) the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement Term Sheet; and (m) the identity of the LINN Creditor Representative. Any reference to the Plan Supplement in the Plan shall include each of the documents identified above as (a) through (m), as applicable. Any Plan Supplement documents shall be subject to the reasonable consent of the applicable Consenting LINN Creditors as set forth in the LINN RSA.
158. Priority Tax Claim means the Claims of Governmental Units of the type specified in section 507(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code.
159. Pro Rata means the proportion that the amount of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in a particular Class bears to the aggregate amount of the Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests in that Class, or the proportion of the Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests in a particular Class and other Classes entitled to share in the same recovery as such Claim or Interest under the Plan.
160. Professional means an Entity, excluding those Entities entitled to compensation pursuant to the Ordinary Course Professional Order: (a) retained pursuant to a Bankruptcy Court order in accordance with sections 327, 363, or 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code and to be compensated for services rendered before or on the Confirmation Date, pursuant to sections 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, and 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) awarded compensation and reimbursement by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to section 503(b)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code; provided, however, that professionals employed by the LINN Administrative Agent, Berry Administrative Agent, any Indenture Trustee, or either of the Ad Hoc LINN Noteholder Groups or the Ad Hoc Group of Berry Unsecured Noteholders shall not be Professionals for the purposes of the Plan.
16
161. Professional Fee Claims means all Administrative Claims for the compensation of Professionals and the reimbursement of expenses incurred by such Professionals through and including the Effective Date to the extent such fees and expenses have not been paid pursuant to the Interim Compensation Order or any other order of the Bankruptcy Court. To the extent the Bankruptcy Court denies or reduces by a Final Order any amount of a Professionals requested fees and expenses, then the amount by which such fees or expenses are reduced or denied shall reduce the applicable Professional Fee Claim.
162. Professional Fee Escrow Account means an interest-bearing account in an amount equal to the Professional Fee Reserve Amount and funded by the Debtors on the Effective Date, pursuant to Article II.A.2(b) of the Plan.
163. Professional Fee Reserve Amount means the total amount of Professional Fee Claims estimated in accordance with Article II.A.2(c) of the Plan.
164. Proof of Claim means a proof of Claim Filed against any of the LINN Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases.
165. Proof of Interest means a proof of Interest Filed against any of the LINN Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases.
166. Reinstate, Reinstated, or Reinstatement means with respect to Claims and Interests, that the Claim or Interest shall be rendered unimpaired for purposes of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
167. Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List means the list, as determined by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases that will be rejected by the Reorganized LINN Debtors pursuant to the Plan, which list shall be included in the Plan Supplement; provided, that such list with respect to material Executory Contracts and/or material Unexpired Leases shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required LINN Consenting Creditors.
168. Released Parties means, collectively, and in each case only in its capacity as such: (a) each of the Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors; (b) the Consenting LINN Creditors; (c) the LINN Administrative Agent; (d) the LINN Indenture Trustees; (e) the LINN Backstop Parties; (f) each of the LINN Lenders; (g) the Committee and each of its members; (h) the LINN Creditor Representative; and (i) with respect to each of the foregoing identified in subsections (a) through (i) herein, each of such entities respective shareholders, affiliates, subsidiaries, members, current and former officers, current and former directors, employees, managers, agents, attorneys, investment bankers, restructuring advisors, professionals, advisors, and representatives, each in their capacities as such; provided, however, that any Holder of a Claim or Interest that opts out of the releases contained in the Plan shall not be a Released Party.
169. Releasing Parties means, collectively, and in each case only in its capacity as such: (a) each of the Debtors and the Reorganized Debtors; (b) the Committee and each of its members; (c) the Consenting LINN Creditors; (d) the LINN Administrative Agent; (e) the LINN Indenture Trustees; (f) the LINN Backstop Parties; (g) each of the LINN Lenders; (h) the Committee and each of its members; (i) the LINN Creditor Representative; (j) without limiting the foregoing, each holder of a Claim against or an interest in the LINN Debtors, in each case other than such a holder that has voted to reject the Plan, is a member of a class that is deemed to reject the Plan, or has voted to accept the Plan or abstains from voting on the Plan and who expressly opts out of the release provided by the Plan; and (k) with respect to each of the foregoing parties under (a) through (j), such Entity and its current and former Affiliates, and such Entities and their current and former Affiliates current and former members, directors, managers, officers, equity holders (regardless of whether such interests are held directly or indirectly), predecessors, successors, and assigns, subsidiaries, and each of their respective current and former members, equity holders, officers, directors, managers, principals, members, employees, agents, advisory board members, financial advisors, partners, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals, each in their capacity as such.
17
170. Reorganized means, as to any LINN Debtor or LINN Debtors, such LINN Debtor(s) as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, taxable disposition, or otherwise, on or after the Effective Date.
171. Reorganized Debtors means, collectively, and each in its capacity as such, the Debtors, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, on or after the Effective Date, and from and after the Effective Date shall include (without limitation) Reorganized LINN.
172. Reorganized LINN means a Delaware corporation or limited liability company (and/or one or more subsidiaries) to be formed on or before the Effective Date, which is not a successor for tax purposes, but will acquire LINNs assets on the Effective Date in a taxable disposition, as set forth in the Plan and the New Organizational Documents.
173. Reorganized LINN Board means the board of directors of Reorganized LINN on and after the Effective Date.
174. Reorganized LINN Common Stock means the new shares of common stock and/or limited liability company units, as applicable, in Reorganized LINN to be issued and distributed under and in accordance with the Plan.
175. Reorganized LINN Debtors means the LINN Debtors, as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, except for those LINN Debtors that are dissolved or wound down pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and from and after the Effective Date, shall include (without limitation) Reorganized LINN and shall not include LINN, LinnCo, LAC, or Berry.
176. Reorganized LINN EIP Equity means the stock and options in the Reorganized LINN Debtors to be issued in connection with the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan and subject to the terms of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements.
177. Reorganized LINN Employment Agreements means the employment agreements by and between employees of the LINN Debtors and the LINN Debtors, which shall be assumed and assigned to Reorganized LINN on the Effective Date.
178. Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan means the management employee incentive plan to be implemented with respect to Reorganized LINN (and/or a subsidiary thereof) on the Effective Date, the material terms of which shall include equity-based awards providing for (a) 8 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors as follows: (i) 2.5 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in the form of restricted stock units to be issued on the Effective Date, (ii) 1.5 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in the form of profits interests that will vest based on time and performance (with the performance conditions satisfied once the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (as equitably adjusted for subsequent contributions and distributions) is equal to 1.5 times the discounted equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors used for the LINN Rights Offerings), all of which will be issued on the Effective Date, and (z) the remaining 4 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in a form of equity-based award as determined by the Reorganized LINN Board, taking into account the then prevailing practices of publicly-traded exploration and production companies, and (b) an additional 2.0 percent of the equity of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, which will be issued as of the Effective Date in the form of profits interests that vest once the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (as equitably adjusted for subsequent contributions and distributions) is equal to 1.5 times the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors as of the Effective Date, provided that all of the foregoing shall be qualified by the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Term Sheet. The other terms and conditions of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan shall be set forth in the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements and the participants respective employment agreements.
179. Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements means the agreements, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Reorganized LINN and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors, that shall govern the terms of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan and shall be consistent with the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Term Sheet.
18
180. Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Term Sheet means that certain term sheet setting forth the principal terms of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 2 to Exhibit A to the LINN RSA.
181. Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes means the non-conforming term notes on the terms set forth in the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note Documents, which shall not be part of the LINN Exit Facility.
182. Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note Documents means the credit agreement in respect of the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, collateral documents, Uniform Commercial Code statements, and other loan documents, to be dated as of the Effective Date, governing the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any).
183. Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement means the registration rights agreement by and between Reorganized LINN, the LINN Backstop Parties (including their affiliates), and certain other parties that receive 10 percent or more of the shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued under the Plan and/or the LINN Rights Offerings or cannot sell their shares under Rule 144 of the Securities Act without volume or manner of sale restrictions, as of the Effective Date, pursuant to which such parties shall be entitled to customary registration rights with respect to such Reorganized LINN Common Stock, which shall be in substantially the form to be filed with the Plan Supplement and reasonably acceptable to LINN and the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders.
184. Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan means the reserve based lending facility with an initial borrowing base equal to $1.4 billion minus the amount of Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes issued to Non-Electing Lenders (as initially divided between a $1.4 billion conforming tranche minus the amount of Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes issued to Non-Electing Lenders and $0.0 in a non-conforming tranche), on the terms and conditions set forth in the LINN Exit Facility Documents.
185. Reorganized LINN Term Loan means the new first lien term loan in the aggregate original principal amount of $300 million on the terms set forth in the LINN Exit Facility Documents.
186. Required Consenting LINN Creditors means, collectively, (a) the Required Consenting LINN Lenders, and (b) the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders.
187. Required Consenting LINN Lenders means the Consenting LINN Lenders holding, controlling, or having the ability to control more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3 percent) of the outstanding principal amount of LINN Lender Claims directly or indirectly held or controlled by the Consenting LINN Lenders, calculated as of such date the Consenting LINN Lenders make a determination in accordance with the LINN RSA.
188. Required Consenting LINN Noteholders means (a) members of the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Group of Unsecured Noteholders (as each term is defined in the LINN RSA) holding more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3 percent) of the LINN Unsecured Notes Claims held by all members of the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Group of Unsecured Noteholders, and (b) members of the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Group of Second Lien Noteholders (as each term is defined in the LINN RSA) holding more than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3 percent) of the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims held by all members of the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Group of Second Lien Noteholders, in each case of (a) and (b), voting as a separate class, and calculated as of such date as the Consenting LINN Noteholders make a determination in accordance with the LINN RSA or the LINN Backstop Agreement, as applicable.
189. Royalty and Working Interests means the working interests granting the right to exploit oil and gas, and certain other royalty or mineral interests, including but not limited to, landowners royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, net profit interests, non-participating royalty interests, and production payments.
19
190. Schedules means the schedules of assets and liabilities, schedules of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases, and statement of financial affairs Filed by the Debtors pursuant to section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code, the official bankruptcy forms, and the Bankruptcy Rules.
191. SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
192. Secured means when referring to a Claim: (a) secured by a Lien on property in which the Estate has an interest, which Lien is valid, perfected, and enforceable pursuant to applicable law or by reason of a Bankruptcy Court order, or that is subject to setoff pursuant to section 553 of the Bankruptcy Code, to the extent of the value of the creditors interest in the Estates interest in such property or to the extent of the amount subject to setoff, as applicable, as determined pursuant to section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) Allowed pursuant to the Plan or separate order of the Bankruptcy Court as a secured claim.
193. Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77a77aa, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
194. Security or Securities has the meaning set forth in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act.
195. Transition Services Agreement means the transition services and separation agreement by and between the LINN Debtors and the Berry Debtors, as provided for in the LINN RSA, which shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the LINN Debtors, the Required Consenting LINN Creditors, and the Berry Debtors.
196. Unexpired Lease means a lease to which one or more of the LINN Debtors is a party that is subject to assumption or rejection under section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.
197. Unimpaired means, with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Class of Claims or Interests that is unimpaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
198. U.S. means the United States of America.
199. U.S. Trustee means the Office of the U.S. Trustee Region 7 for the Southern District of Texas.
200. Unsecured Claim means any Claim that is not an Administrative Claim, Priority Tax Claim, Other LINN Priority Claim, LINN Lender Claim, or other Secured Claim; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt and pursuant to Article IV.D herein and the LINN Second Lien Settlement, the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims shall constitute Unsecured Claims.
B. Rules of Interpretation.
For the purposes of the Plan: (1) in the appropriate context, each term, whether stated in the singular or the plural, shall include both the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine, and the neuter gender; (2) unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to a contract, lease, instrument, release, indenture, or other agreement or document being in a particular form or on particular terms and conditions means that the referenced document shall be substantially in that form or substantially on those terms and conditions; (3) unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to an existing document, schedule, or exhibit, whether or not Filed, having been Filed or to be Filed shall mean that document, schedule, or exhibit, as it may thereafter be amended, modified, or supplemented; (4) any reference to an Entity as a Holder of a Claim or Interest includes that Entitys successors and assigns; (5) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to Articles are references to Articles hereof or hereto; (6) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to exhibits are references to exhibits in the Plan Supplement; (7) unless otherwise specified, the words herein, hereof, and hereto refer to the Plan in its entirety rather than to a particular portion of the Plan; (8) subject to the provisions of any contract, certificate of incorporation, or similar formation document or agreement, by-law, instrument, release, or other agreement or document entered into in connection with the Plan, the rights and obligations arising pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
20
with the applicable federal law, including the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules; (9) captions and headings to Articles are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the interpretation of the Plan; (10) unless otherwise specified herein, the rules of construction set forth in section 102 of the Bankruptcy Code shall apply; (11) any term used in capitalized form herein that is not otherwise defined but that is used in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules, as the case may be; (12) all references to docket numbers of documents Filed in the Chapter 11 Cases are references to the docket numbers under the Bankruptcy Courts CM/ECF system; (13) all references to statutes, regulations, orders, rules of courts, and the like shall mean as amended from time to time, and as applicable to the Chapter 11 Cases, unless otherwise stated; (14) any immaterial effectuating provisions may be interpreted by the Reorganized LINN Debtors in such a manner that is consistent with the overall purpose and intent of the Plan all without further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity; and (15) except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan to the contrary, references in the Plan to the LINN Debtors or to the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall mean the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, to the extent the context requires.
C. Computation of Time.
Unless otherwise specifically stated herein, the provisions of Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a) shall apply in computing any period of time prescribed or allowed herein. If the date on which a transaction may occur pursuant to the Plan shall occur on a day that is not a Business Day, then such transaction shall instead occur on the next succeeding Business Day. Any action to be taken on the Effective Date may be taken on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date.
D. Governing Law.
Unless a rule of law or procedure is supplied by federal law (including the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules) or unless otherwise specifically stated, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws, shall govern the rights, obligations, construction, and implementation of the Plan, any agreements, documents, instruments, or contracts executed or entered into in connection with the Plan (except as otherwise set forth in those agreements, in which case the governing law of such agreement shall control); provided, however, that corporate governance matters relating to the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall be governed by the laws of the state of incorporation or formation of the relevant LINN Debtor or Reorganized LINN Debtor, as applicable.
E. Reference to Monetary Figures.
All references in the Plan to monetary figures shall refer to currency of the U.S., unless otherwise expressly provided.
F. Conflicts.
In the event of an inconsistency between the Plan and the Disclosure Statement, the terms of the Plan shall control in all respects. In the event of an inconsistency between the Confirmation Order and the Plan, the Confirmation Order shall control.
ARTICLE II.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS AND PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS
In accordance with section 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, Administrative Claims and Priority Tax Claims have not been classified and, thus, are excluded from the Classes of Claims and Interests. Except with respect to Professional Fee Claims, which shall be allocated and paid in the manner specified in Article II.A.2 of this Plan, each LINN Debtor shall be obligated to satisfy only the Allowed Administrative Claims or Priority Tax Claims of its respective Estates.
21
A. Administrative Claims.
1. General Administrative Claims.
Except as specified in this Article II, unless the Holder of an Allowed General Administrative Claim and the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, agree to less favorable treatment, each Holder of an Allowed General Administrative Claim will receive, in full satisfaction of its General Administrative Claim, Cash equal to the amount of such Allowed General Administrative Claim either: (a) on the Effective Date; (b) if the General Administrative Claim is not Allowed as of the Effective Date, 60 days after the date on which an order allowing such General Administrative Claim becomes a Final Order, or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable; or (c) if the Allowed General Administrative Claim is based on a liability incurred by the Debtors in the ordinary course of their business after the Petition Date, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the particular transaction or agreement giving rise to such Allowed General Administrative Claim, without any further action by the Holders of such Allowed General Administrative Claim, and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no request for payment of a General Administrative Claim need be Filed with respect to a General Administrative Claim previously Allowed by Final Order.
Except for Claims of Professionals, requests for payment of General Administrative Claims that were not accrued in the ordinary course of business must be Filed and served on the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, no later than the Administrative Claims Bar Date applicable to the LINN Debtor against whom the General Administrative Claim is asserted pursuant to the procedures specified in the Confirmation Order and the notice of the Effective Date. Holders of General Administrative Claims that are required to File and serve a request for payment of such General Administrative Claims by the Administrative Claims Bar Date that do not File and serve such a request by the Administrative Claims Bar Date shall be forever barred, estopped, and enjoined from asserting such General Administrative Claims against the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, or their respective property and such General Administrative Claims shall be deemed forever discharged and released as of the Effective Date. Any requests for payment of General Administrative Claims that are not properly Filed and served by the Administrative Claims Bar Date shall not appear on the Claims Register and shall be disallowed automatically without the need for further action by the Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors or further order of the Bankruptcy Court. To the extent this Article II.A.1 conflicts with Article XII.C of the Plan with respect to fees and expenses payable under section 1930(a) of the Judicial Code, including fees and expenses payable to the U.S. Trustee, Article XII.C of the Plan shall govern.
The Reorganized LINN Debtors, in their sole and absolute discretion, may settle General Administrative Claims in the ordinary course of business without further Bankruptcy Court approval. The LINN Debtors may also choose to object to any Administrative Claim no later than 60 days from the Administrative Claims Bar Date, subject to extensions by the Bankruptcy Court, agreement in writing of the parties, or on motion of a party in interest approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Unless the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors (or other party with standing) object to a timely filed and properly served Administrative Claim, such Administrative Claim will be deemed Allowed in the amount requested. In the event that the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors object to an Administrative Claim, the parties may confer to try to reach a settlement and, failing that, the Bankruptcy Court will determine whether such Administrative Claim should be allowed and, if so, in what amount; provided, that in no event shall any Reorganized LINN Debtor be obligated to satisfy any Allowed General Administrative Claim asserted against LINN or LinnCo.
2. Professional Compensation.
(a) Final Fee Applications.
All final requests for payment of Professional Fee Claims, including the Professional Fee Claims incurred during the period from the Petition Date through the Effective Date, must be Filed and served on the Reorganized LINN Debtors no later than 60 days after the Effective Date. All such final requests will be subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court after notice and a hearing in accordance with the procedures established by the Bankruptcy Code and prior orders of the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases, including the Interim Compensation Order, and once approved by the Bankruptcy Court, promptly paid from the Professional Fee Escrow Account up to its full Allowed amount. If the Professional Fee Escrow Account is insufficient to fund the full Allowed amounts of Professional Fee Claims, remaining unpaid Allowed Professional Fee Claims will be allocated among and paid directly by the Reorganized LINN Debtors in the manner prescribed by Article II.A.2(d) of the Plan.
22
(b) Professional Fee Escrow Account.
On the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall establish and fund the Professional Fee Escrow Account with Cash equal to the Professional Fee Reserve Amount, the funding of which shall be allocated among the LINN Debtors in the manner prescribed by Article II.A.2(d) of the Plan. The Professional Fee Escrow Account shall be maintained in trust solely for the Professionals. Such funds shall not be considered property of the Estates of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors. The amount of Professional Fee Claims owing to the Professionals shall be paid in Cash to such Professionals by the Reorganized LINN Debtors from the Professional Fee Escrow Account as soon as reasonably practicable after such Professional Fee Claims are Allowed by a Final Order. When all such Allowed amounts owing to Professionals have been paid in full, any remaining amount in the Professional Fee Escrow Account shall promptly be paid to the Reorganized Debtors in the manner prescribed by the allocation set forth in Article II.A.2(d) of the Plan, without any further action or order of the Bankruptcy Court. If the Professional Fee Escrow Account is insufficient to fund the full Allowed amounts of Professional Fee Claims, remaining unpaid Allowed Professional Fee Claims will be paid by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable.
(c) Professional Fee Reserve Amount.
Professionals shall estimate their unpaid Professional Fee Claims and other unpaid fees and expenses incurred in rendering services to the LINN Debtors before and as of the Effective Date and shall deliver such estimate to the LINN Debtors no later than five Business Days before the Effective Date; provided, however, that such estimate shall not be deemed to limit the amount of the fees and expenses that are the subject of the Professionals final request for payment of Filed Professional Fee Claims. If a Professional does not provide an estimate, the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors may estimate the unpaid and unbilled fees and expenses of such Professional. The total amount estimated pursuant to this section shall comprise the Professional Fee Reserve Amount. The Professional Fee Reserve Amount, as well as the return of any excess funds in the Professional Fee Escrow Account after all Allowed Professional Fee Claims have been paid in full, shall be allocated as among the LINN Debtors in the manner prescribed by Article II.A.2(d) of the Plan.
(d) Allocation of Professional Fee Claims.
Allowed Professional Fee Claims shall be allocated to, and paid by, the applicable LINN Debtor (or Berry Debtor) for whose benefit such Professional Fees Claims were incurred in a manner consistent with the terms of the Cash Collateral Order and/or Cash Management Order. For the avoidance of doubt, the LINN Debtors shall not be responsible for payment of any legal, professional, or other fees and expenses incurred by the Berry Debtors in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and after the Effective Date, and the Berry Debtors shall not be responsible for payment of any legal, professional, or other fees and expenses incurred by the LINN Debtors in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and after the Effective Date.
(e) Post-Confirmation Date Fees and Expenses.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, from and after the Confirmation Date, the LINN Debtors shall, in the ordinary course of business and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, pay in Cash the reasonable and documented legal, professional, or other fees and expenses incurred by the LINN Debtors. Upon the Confirmation Date, any requirement that Professionals comply with sections 327 through 331 and 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code in seeking retention or compensation for services rendered after such date shall terminate, and the Reorganized LINN Debtors may employ and pay any Professional in the ordinary course of business without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
23
3. Adequate Protection Claims.
Adequate Protection Claims of the LINN Lenders will receive the treatment provided for in Article III.B.3 for Holders of Allowed LINN Lender Claims.
B. Priority Tax Claims.
Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Priority Tax Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed Priority Tax Claim, each Holder of such Allowed Priority Tax Claim shall be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in section 1129(a)(9)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code and, for the avoidance of doubt, Holders of Allowed Priority Tax Claims will receive interest on such Allowed Priority Tax Claims after the Effective Date in accordance with sections 511 and 1129(a)(9)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code; provided, that in no event shall any Reorganized LINN Debtor be obligated to satisfy any Priority Tax Claim asserted against LINN or LinnCo.
C. Statutory Fees.
All fees due and payable pursuant to section 1930 of Title 28 of the United States Code before the Effective Date with respect to the LINN Debtors shall be paid by the LINN Debtors. On and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall pay any and all such fees when due and payable, and shall File with the Bankruptcy Court quarterly reports in a form reasonably acceptable to the U.S. Trustee. Each LINN Debtor shall remain obligated to pay quarterly fees to the U.S. Trustee until the earliest of that particular LINN Debtors case being closed, dismissed, or converted to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
ARTICLE III.
CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS
A. Classification of Claims and Interests.
Claims and Interests, except for Administrative Claims and Priority Tax Claims, are classified in the Classes set forth in this Article III. A Claim or Interest is classified in a particular Class only to the extent that the Claim or Interest qualifies within the description of that Class and is classified in other Classes to the extent that any portion of the Claim or Interest qualifies within the description of such other Classes. A Claim or Interest is also classified in a particular Class for the purpose of receiving distributions pursuant to the Plan only to the extent that such Claim or Interest is an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in that Class and has not been paid, released, or otherwise satisfied before the Effective Date. The LINN Debtors reserve the right to assert that the treatment provided to Holders of Claims and Interests pursuant to Article III.B of the Plan renders such Holders Unimpaired.
The Plan constitutes a separate chapter 11 plan of reorganization for each LINN Debtor, each of which shall include the classifications set forth below. Subject to Article III.D of the Plan, to the extent that a Class contains Claims or Interests only with respect to one or more particular LINN Debtors, such Class applies solely to such LINN Debtor.
The following chart represents the classification of Claims and Interests for each LINN Debtor pursuant to the Plan.
Class | Claims and Interests | Status | Voting Rights | |||
Class A1 | Other LINN Secured Claims | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Accept) | |||
Class A2 | Other LINN Priority Claims | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Accept) | |||
Class A3 | LINN Lender Claims | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class A4 | LINN Second Lien Notes Claims | Impaired | Entitled to Vote |
24
Class | Claims and Interests | Status | Voting Rights | |||
Class A5 | LINN Unsecured Notes Claims | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class A6 | LINN General Unsecured Claims | Impaired | Entitled to Vote | |||
Class A7 | LINN Convenience Claims | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Accept) | |||
Class A8 | LINN Intercompany Settled Claims | Impaired | Presumed to Accept | |||
Class A9 | LINN Intercompany Claims | Unimpaired/ Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Accept/Reject) | |||
Class A10 | LINN Section 510(b) Claims | Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) | |||
Class A11 | LINN Intercompany Interests | Unimpaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Accept) | |||
Class A12 | Interests in LINN and LinnCo | Impaired | Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
B. Treatment of Claims and Interests.
To the extent a Class contains Allowed Claims or Allowed Interests with respect to any LINN Debtor, the classification of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests is specified below.
1. | Class A1 - Other LINN Secured Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A1 consists of Other LINN Secured Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Other LINN Secured Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed Other LINN Secured Claim, each such Holder shall receive, at the option of the applicable LINN Debtor(s), either: |
(i) | payment in full in Cash; |
(ii) | delivery of collateral securing any such Claim and payment of any interest required under section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code; |
(iii) | Reinstatement of such Claim; or |
(iv) | other treatment rendering such Claim Unimpaired. |
(c) | Voting: Class A1 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A1 are conclusively deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
2. | Class A2 - Other LINN Priority Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A2 consists of Other LINN Priority Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Other LINN Priority Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed Other LINN Priority Claim, each such Holder shall receive, at the option of the applicable LINN Debtor(s), either: |
(i) | payment in full in Cash; or |
(ii) | other treatment rendering such Claim Unimpaired. |
25
(c) | Voting: Class A2 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A2 are conclusively deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
3. | Class A3 - LINN Lender Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A3 consists of LINN Lender Claims Against the LINN Debtors. |
(b) | Allowance: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, on the Effective Date, the LINN Lender Claims are Allowed as fully Secured Claims under section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code having first lien priority in the amount of $1.939 billion on account of unpaid principal, plus unpaid interest, fees, other expenses, and other obligations arising under or in connection with the LINN Lender Claims, or as set forth in the LINN Credit Agreement other Loan Documents (as defined in the LINN Credit Agreement), in each case, not subject either in whole or in part to off-set, disallowance or avoidance under chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, or any legal, contractual, or equitable theory for claims or Causes of Action (including, without limitation, subordination, recharacterization, recoupment, or unjust enrichment) that the any Person including but not limited to the Debtors and their Estates may be entitled to assert against the LINN Lenders or the LINN Lender Claims. |
(c) | Treatment: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, on the Effective Date, except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed LINN Lender Claim in Class A3 agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed LINN Lender Claim, each such Holder shall receive its Pro Rata share of: (A) if such Holder elects to participate in the LINN Exit Facility, (i) the LINN Exit Facility and (ii) the LINN Lender Paydown upon the execution of definitive documentation, dated on or before the Effective Date, necessary to implement the Plan, including the LINN Exit Facility Documents; or (B) if such Holder elects not to participate in the LINN Exit Facility (each, a Non-Electing Lender), in which case such Non-Electing Lender shall receive its Pro Rata share of the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, in lieu of any share of (i) the LINN Exit Facility and (ii) the LINN Lender Paydown, upon the execution of definitive documentation, dated on or before the Effective Date, necessary to implement the Plan, including the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents. The Reorganized Linn Non-Conforming Term Notes shall have the same maturity and liens as the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, each Non-Electing Lender shall not receive any portion of the LINN Lender Paydown and shall receive only a Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note in a principal amount equal to its Allowed LINN Lender Claim, and each Consenting LINN Lender shall receive a LINN Lender Paydown payment in the amount of (a) its Allowed LINN Lender Claim less (b) the sum of the amount of such Consenting LINN Lenders Allowed LINN Lender Claim that is deemed to be a drawn loan pursuant to each of (x) the Reorganized LINN Term Loan and (y) Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan, plus (c) on a pro forma basis with respect to all Consenting LINN Lenders its share of the amount that would otherwise be payable to Non-Electing Lenders, if such Non-Electing Lenders were Consenting LINN Lenders (such that the aggregate amount received by Consenting LINN Lenders is equal to the LINN Lender Paydown). |
(d) | Voting: Class A3 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A3 are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
26
4. | Class A4 - LINN Second Lien Notes Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A4 consists of LINN Second Lien Notes Claims. |
(b) | Allowance: As set forth in Article IV.D herein and the LINN Second Lien Plan Settlement, the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims are Allowed as Unsecured Claims in an amount equal to $2.0 billion, plus unpaid interest (applying an interest rate of 12.00 percent on the $1 billion principal amount of the LINN Second Lien Notes), fees, and other expenses arising under or in connection with the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, and shall not be subject to any avoidance, reductions, setoff, offset, recoupment, recharacterization, subordination (whether equitable, contractual, or otherwise), counterclaims, cross-claims, defenses, disallowance, impairment, objection, or any other challenges under any applicable law or regulation by any Person. |
(c) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claim, each such Holder shall (i) receive its Pro Rata share (based on the amount of its Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claim as a percentage of all Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims) of (A) $30 million in Cash, and (B) the LINN Secured Rights, and (ii) its Pro Rata share (based on its Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claim as a percentage of the total Allowed LINN Notes Claims) of the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution. Distribution to each Holder of an Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claim shall be subject to the rights and the terms of the LINN Second Lien Notes Indenture and the right of the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee to assert its LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee Charging Lien. |
(d) | Voting: Class A4 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A4 are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
5. | Class A5 - LINN Unsecured Notes Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A5 consists of LINN Unsecured Notes Claims. |
(b) | Allowance: The LINN Unsecured Notes Claims are Allowed as follows: (i) $580,100,547.11 due as of the Petition Date under the 6.5% senior notes due May 2019, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2011 Unsecured Notes Indenture; (ii) $600,580,190.97 due as of the Petition Date under the 6.25% senior notes due November 2019, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2012 Unsecured Notes Indenture; (iii) $754,061,706.75 due as of the Petition Date under the LINN 2020 Unsecured Notes; (iv) $788,870,992.11 due as of the Petition Date under the 7.75% senior notes due February 2021, issued by LINN and LINN Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN September 2010 Unsecured Notes Indenture; and (v) $385,279,610.33 due as of the Petition Date under the 6.5% senior notes due September 2021, issued by LINN and LINN Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the LINN 2014 Unsecured Notes Indenture; in each case, plus any additional unpaid interest, fees, and other expenses (if any) arising under or in connection with the LINN Unsecured Notes Claims. |
27
(c) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claim, each such Holder shall receive its Pro Rata share of (i) the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution (based on the amount of their Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claim as a percentage of the total Allowed LINN Notes Claims), and (ii) the LINN Unsecured Rights (based on the amount of its Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claim as a percentage of all Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims). |
(d) | Voting: Class A5 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A5 are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
6. | Class A6 - LINN General Unsecured Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A6 consists of LINN General Unsecured Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim, each such Holder shall receive its Pro Rata share of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool; provided, that a Holder of an Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim may elect to irrevocably reduce its Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim to $2,500 to receive the treatment provided for Holders of Allowed LINN Convenience Claims. To the extent the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool is not fully consumed for any reason, the residual excess will be distributed Pro Rata to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims. |
(c) | Voting: Class A6 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A6 are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
7. | Class A7 - LINN Convenience Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A7 consists of LINN Convenience Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed LINN Convenience Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment of its Allowed Claim, in full and final satisfaction, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed LINN Convenience Claim, each such Holder shall receive Cash in an amount equal to its Allowed LINN Convenience Claim; provided, however, that (i) to the extent that the sum of (A) Allowed LINN Convenience Claims and (B) Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims for which such Holders elect to irrevocably reduce to receive treatment as Allowed LINN Convenience Claims exceeds the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool, any such excess costs will be paid with, and deducted from, the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool, and (ii) to the extent that the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool is not fully consumed for any reason, the residual excess will be deposited into the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool for Pro Rata distribution to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims other than Holders of Allowed LINN Convenience Claims. |
(c) | Voting: Class A7 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of Claims in Class A7 are conclusively deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
28
8. | Class A8 - LINN Intercompany Settled Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A8 consists of LINN Intercompany Settled Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: The LINN Settled Intercompany Claims shall receive the treatment set forth in the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement, which shall include, among other things, an Allowed LINN Settled Intercompany Claim against LINN in the aggregate amount of $25 million, which shall be treated as an Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claim pursuant to Article III.B.6 hereof. |
(c) | Voting: Class A8 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed LINN Intercompany Settled Claims are presumed to accept the Plan. |
9. | Class A9 - LINN Intercompany Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A9 consists of LINN Intercompany Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Each Allowed LINN Intercompany Claim shall be, at the option of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, either: (i) Reinstated; (ii) converted to equity; or (iii) canceled and shall receive no distribution on account of such Claims and may be compromised, extinguished, or settled after the Effective Date; provided, however, that any LINN Intercompany Claim relating to any postpetition payments from any Debtor to a LINN Debtor under any postpetition Intercompany Transaction (as defined in the Cash Management Order, and including any postpetition payments from LINN to any other LINN Debtor) shall be, unless the applicable LINN Debtor agrees otherwise or as otherwise provided in the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement, paid in full in Cash as a General Administrative Claim pursuant to Article II.A herein. |
(c) | Voting: Class A9 is either Unimpaired and/or treated as a General Administrative Claim, and such Holders of LINN Intercompany Claims are conclusively presumed to have accepted the Plan under section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code, or Impaired, and such Holders of Allowed Class A9 Claims are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Holders of Allowed LINN Intercompany Claims are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
10. | Class A10 - LINN Section 510(b) Claims. |
(a) | Classification: Class A10 consists of LINN Section 510(b) Claims. |
(b) | Treatment: Each LINN Section 510(b) Claim shall be deemed canceled, discharged, released, and extinguished, and there shall be no distribution to Holders of LINN Section 510(b) Claims on account of such Claims. |
(c) | Voting: Class A10 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Allowed LINN Section 510(b) Claims are deemed to have rejected the Plan under section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Holders of Allowed LINN Section 510(b) Claims are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
11. | Class A11 - LINN Intercompany Interests. |
(a) | Classification: Class A11 consists of all LINN Intercompany Interests. |
29
(b) | Treatment: LINN Intercompany Interests shall be Reinstated as of the Effective Date. |
(c) | Voting: Class A11 is Unimpaired under the Plan. Holders of LINN Intercompany Interests are conclusively deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
12. | Class A12 - Interests in LINN and LinnCo. |
(a) | Classification: Class A12 consists of any Interests in LINN and LinnCo. |
(b) | Treatment: On the Effective Date, existing Interests in LINN and LinnCo shall be deemed canceled, discharged, released, and extinguished, and there shall be no distribution to Holders of Interests in LINN and LinnCo on account of such Interests; provided, however; provided, however, that Holders of Interests in LinnCo may receive a non-transferable escrow position to the extent necessary to facilitate any distributions that may become available in the future on account of such Interests in LinnCo. |
(c) | Voting: Class A12 is Impaired under the Plan. Holders of Interests in LINN and LinnCo are conclusively deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Therefore, such Holders are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. |
C. Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, nothing under the Plan shall affect the LINN Debtors rights in respect of any Unimpaired Claims, including all rights in respect of legal and equitable defenses to or setoffs or recoupments against any such Unimpaired Claims.
D. Elimination of Vacant Classes.
Any Class of Claims or Interests that, as of the commencement of the Confirmation Hearing, does not have at least one Holder of a Claim or Interest that is Allowed in an amount greater than zero for voting purposes pursuant to the Disclosure Statement Order shall be considered vacant, deemed eliminated from the Plan for purposes of voting to accept or reject the Plan, and disregarded for purposes of determining whether the Plan satisfies section 1129(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to that Class.
E. Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Section 1129(a)(10) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be satisfied for purposes of Confirmation by acceptance of the Plan by one or more of the Classes entitled to vote pursuant to Article III.B of the Plan. The LINN Debtors shall seek Confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any rejecting Class of Claims or Interests. The LINN Debtors reserve the right to modify the Plan in accordance with Article X hereof to the extent, if any, that Confirmation pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code requires modification, including by modifying the treatment applicable to a Class of Claims to render such Class of Claims Unimpaired to the extent permitted by the Bankruptcy Code and the Bankruptcy Rules or to withdraw the Plan as to such LINN Debtor.
F. Voting Classes; Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes
If a Class contains Holders of Claims or Interests eligible to vote and no Holders of Claims or Interests eligible to vote in such Class vote to accept or reject the Plan, the Plan shall be presumed accepted by the Holders of such Claims or Interests in such Class.
30
G. Presumed Acceptance and Rejection of the Plan
To the extent that Claims of any class are canceled, each Holder of a Claim in such class is deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and is not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. To the extent that Claims or Interests of any Class are Reinstated, each Holder of a Claim or Interest in such Class is presumed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and is not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plans.
H. Intercompany Interests
To the extent Reinstated under the Plan, distributions on account of Intercompany Interests are not being received by Holders of such Intercompany Interests on account of their Intercompany Interests, but rather for the purposes of administrative convenience, for the ultimate benefit of the Holders of Reorganized LINN Common Stock, and in exchange for the LINN Debtors and Reorganized LINN Debtors agreement under the Plan to make certain distributions to the Holders of Allowed Claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any Interest in Non-Debtor Subsidiaries owned by a LINN Debtor shall continue to be owned by the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor.
I. Controversy Concerning Impairment.
If a controversy arises as to whether any Claims or Interests, or any Class of Claims or Interests, are Impaired, the Bankruptcy Court shall, after notice and a hearing, determine such controversy on or before the Confirmation Date.
J. Subordinated Claims and Interests.
The allowance, classification, and treatment of all Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests and the respective distributions and treatments under the Plan take into account and conform to the relative priority and rights of the Claims and Interests in each Class in connection with any contractual, legal, and equitable subordination rights relating thereto, whether arising under general principles of equitable subordination, section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise. Pursuant to section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code, the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors reserve the right to re-classify any Allowed Claim in accordance with any contractual, legal, or equitable subordination relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the LINN Lender Claims shall not be subordinated in any manner or for any reason.
ARTICLE IV.
MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
A. General Settlement of Claims and Interests.
The Plan shall be deemed a motion to approve the good-faith compromise and settlement pursuant to which the LINN Debtors, the Holders of Claims against and/or Interests in the LINN Debtors, the Consenting LINN Creditors, and the LINN Lenders settle all Claims, Interests, and Causes of Action pursuant to section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, including the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement, and in consideration for the classification, distributions, releases, and other benefits provided under the Plan, upon the Effective Date, the provisions of the Plan shall constitute a good faith compromise and settlement of all Claims and Interests and controversies resolved pursuant to the Plan. The Confirmation Order shall constitute the Courts approval of the compromise, settlement, and release of all such Claims, Interests, and Causes of Action, as well as a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that all such compromises, settlements, and releases are in the best interests of the LINN Debtors, their Estates, and the Holders of Claims, Interests, and Causes of Action, and is fair, equitable, and reasonable. In accordance with the provisions of the Plan, pursuant to section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, after the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors may compromise and settle all Claims and Causes of Action against, and Interests in, the LINN Debtors and their Estates. The compromises, settlements, and releases described herein shall be deemed nonseverable from each other and from all other terms of the Plan. Subject to Article VI of the Plan, all distributions made to Holders of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests in any Class are intended to be and shall be final.
31
B. LINN Restructuring Transactions.
On the Effective Date, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, will effectuate the LINN Restructuring Transactions, and will take any actions as may be necessary or advisable to effect a corporate restructuring of their respective businesses or a corporate restructuring of the overall corporate structure of the LINN Debtors, to the extent provided herein. The actions to implement the LINN Restructuring Transactions may include: (a) the execution and delivery of appropriate agreements or other documents of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, restructuring, conversion, disposition, transfer, arrangement, continuance, dissolution, sale, purchase, or liquidation containing terms that are consistent with the terms of the Plan and that satisfy the requirements of applicable law and any other terms to which the applicable Entities may agree, including the formation of the entity or entities that will comprise the Reorganized LINN Debtors; (b) the execution and delivery of appropriate instruments of transfer, assignment, assumption, or delegation of any asset, property, right, liability, debt, or obligation on terms consistent with the terms of the Plan and having other terms for which the applicable parties agree; (c) the filing of appropriate certificates or articles of incorporation, formation, reincorporation, merger, consolidation, conversion, amalgamation, arrangement, continuance, dissolution, or other organizational documents pursuant to applicable state law; (d) the execution and delivery of the New Organizational Documents; (e) the execution and delivery of the LINN Exit Facility Documents (including all actions to be taken, undertakings to be made, and obligations to be incurred and fees, expenses, and the LINN Lender Paydown to be paid by the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable), subject to any post-closing execution and delivery periods provided for in the LINN Exit Facility Documents; (f) the execution and delivery of the Transition Services Agreement (including all actions to be taken, undertakings to be made, and obligations to be incurred and fees to be paid by the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, the Berry Debtors, or the reorganized Berry Debtors, as applicable, in connection therewith); (g) the execution and delivery of the Form Joint Operating Agreement (including all actions to be taken, undertakings to be made, and obligations and fees to be paid by the LINN Debtors, Reorganized LINN Debtors, the Berry Debtors, and the reorganized Berry Debtors, as applicable); (h) the execution and delivery of the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement; (i) the issuance of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock pursuant to the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution; (j) pursuant to the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures and the LINN Backstop Agreement, the implementation of the LINN Rights Offerings, the distribution of the LINN Rights to the LINN Rights Offerings Participants as of the LINN Rights Offerings Record Date, and the issuance of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock in connection therewith; (k) adoption of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan and the allocation and issuance of the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity in accordance with the terms included therein; (l) the establishment and funding of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool; and (m) after cancellation of the Interests in LINN and LinnCo, all other actions that the applicable Entities determine to be necessary or advisable, including making filings or recordings that may be required by law in connection with the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the Debtors intend that the transactions relating to the transfer of the LINN Debtors assets shall constitute taxable dispositions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Confirmation Order shall and shall be deemed to, pursuant to sections 1123 and 363 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, authorize, among other things, all actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effect any transaction described in, approved by, contemplated by, or necessary to effectuate the Plan, including the LINN Restructuring Transactions.
On the Business Day before the Effective Date, a third party designated by mutual agreement of the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors shall form Reorganized LINN. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the assets of, and equity interests in, the Berry Debtors shall not be in any event transferred to Reorganized LINN.
C. Sources of Consideration for Plan Distributions.
The LINN Debtors shall fund distributions under the Plan, as applicable, with: (1) the LINN Exit Facility; (2) the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any); (3) the encumbered and unencumbered Cash on hand, including Cash from operations or asset dispositions, of the LINN Debtors, (4) the Cash proceeds of the sale
32
of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock pursuant to the LINN Rights Offerings; and (5) the Reorganized LINN Common Stock. Each distribution and issuance referred to in Article VI of the Plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth herein applicable to such distribution or issuance and by the terms and conditions of the instruments or other documents evidencing or relating to such distribution or issuance, which terms and conditions shall bind each Entity receiving such distribution or issuance. The issuance, distribution, or authorization, as applicable, of certain securities in connection with the Plan, including the Reorganized LINN Common Stock and the LINN Rights will be exempt from SEC registration to the fullest extent permitted by law, as described more fully in Article VI.D below.
1. LINN Exit Facility.
On the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall enter into the LINN Exit Facility, with Reorganized LINN as a holding company and guarantor directly or indirectly holding all of the equity interests of all of the other Reorganized LINN Debtors. Each Holder of an Allowed LINN Lender Claim that elects to participate in the LINN Exit Facility shall receive its Pro Rata share of (i) the LINN Exit Facility, and (ii) the LINN Lender Paydown, including the Pro Rata share with respect to all Consenting LINN Lenders of the amount that would otherwise be payable to the Non-Electing Lenders, if such Non-Electing Lenders were Consenting LINN Lenders (such that the aggregate amount received by Consenting LINN Lenders is equal to the LINN Lender Paydown), in each case pursuant to Article III.B.3. The LINN Exit Facility shall be on terms set forth in the LINN Exit Facility Documents and substantially consistent with the terms set forth in the LINN Exit Facility Term Sheet; provided, that the aggregate amount of the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan commitments shall be reduced dollar for dollar by an amount of the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes that are issued to Non-Electing Lenders, such that the aggregate amount of the Reorganized LINN Revolving Loan commitments plus the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes shall be equal to $1.4 billion.
Confirmation shall be deemed approval of the LINN Exit Facility (including the transactions contemplated thereby, and all actions to be taken, undertakings to be made, and obligations to be incurred and fees and expenses to be paid by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors in connection therewith), to the extent not previously approved by the Bankruptcy Court, and the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be authorized to execute and deliver those documents necessary or appropriate to obtain the LINN Exit Facility, including any and all documents required to enter into the LINN Exit Facility and all collateral documents related thereto, without further notice to or order of the Bankruptcy Court, act or action under applicable law, regulation, order, or rule or vote, consent, authorization, or approval of any Person, subject to such modifications as the Reorganized LINN Debtors may deem to be necessary to consummate entry into the LINN Exit Facility and that are in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Reorganized LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors.
On the Effective Date, the LINN Exit Facility Documents shall constitute legal, valid, binding, and authorized obligations of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, enforceable in accordance with their terms. The financial accommodations to be extended pursuant to the LINN Exit Facility Documents are being extended, and shall be deemed to have been extended, in good faith, for legitimate business purposes, are reasonable, shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination (including equitable subordination) for any purposes whatsoever, and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances, or other voidable transfers under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable non-bankruptcy law. On the Effective Date, all of the Liens and security interests to be granted in accordance with the LINN Exit Facility Documents (a) shall be legal, binding, and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the collateral granted thereunder in accordance with the terms of the LINN Exit Facility Documents, (b) shall be deemed automatically attached and perfected on the Effective Date, subject only to such Liens and security interests as may be permitted under the LINN Exit Facility Documents, and (c) shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination (including equitable subordination) for any purposes whatsoever and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances, or other voidable transfers under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable non-bankruptcy law. The Reorganized LINN Debtors and the Entities granted such Liens and security interests are authorized to make all filings and recordings, and to obtain all governmental approvals and consents necessary to establish, attach, and perfect such Liens and security interests under the provisions of the applicable state, provincial, federal, or other law (whether domestic or foreign) that would be applicable in the absence of the Plan and the Confirmation Order (it being understood that perfection shall occur automatically by virtue of the entry of the Confirmation Order, and any such filings, recordings, approvals, and consents shall not be required), and will thereafter cooperate to make all other filings and recordings that otherwise would be necessary or desirable by the administrative agent under the LINN Exit Facility Documents under applicable law to give notice of such Liens and security interests to third parties.
33
2. Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes.
On the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall enter into the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes with any Non-Electing Lenders on the terms set forth in the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents.
On the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes shall constitute legal, valid, binding, and authorized obligations of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, enforceable in accordance with their terms. The financial accommodations to be extended pursuant to the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes are being extended, and shall be deemed to have been extended, in good faith, for legitimate business purposes, are reasonable, shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination (including equitable subordination) for any purposes whatsoever, and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances, or other voidable transfers under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable non-bankruptcy law. On the Effective Date, all of the Liens and security interests to be granted in accordance with the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (a) shall be legal, binding, and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the collateral granted thereunder in accordance with the terms of the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note Documents, (b) shall be deemed automatically attached and perfected on the Effective Date, subject only to such Liens and security interests as may be permitted under the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, and (c) shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination (including equitable subordination) for any purposes whatsoever and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances, or other voidable transfers under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable non-bankruptcy law. The Reorganized LINN Debtors and the Entities granted such Liens and security interests are authorized to make all filings and recordings, and to obtain all governmental approvals and consents necessary to establish, attach, and perfect such Liens and security interests under the provisions of the applicable state, provincial, federal, or other law (whether domestic or foreign) that would be applicable in the absence of the Plan and the Confirmation Order (it being understood that perfection shall occur automatically by virtue of the entry of the Confirmation Order, and any such filings, recordings, approvals, and consents shall not be required), and will thereafter cooperate to make all other filings and recordings that otherwise would be necessary or desirable by the administrative agent under the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Note Documents under applicable law to give notice of such Liens and security interests to third parties.
3. LINN Rights Offerings; Reorganized LINN Common Stock; Use of Proceeds.
LINN shall distribute the LINN Rights to the LINN Rights Offerings Participants on behalf of Reorganized LINN as set forth in the Plan and the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures. Pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement, and the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures, the LINN Rights Offerings shall be open to all LINN Rights Offerings Participants, and (a) LINN Rights Offerings Participants that are Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims shall be entitled to participate in the LINN Secured Rights Offering up to a maximum amount of each Holders Pro Rata share of the LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount, and (b) LINN Rights Offerings Participants that are Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims shall be entitled to participate in the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering up to a maximum amount of each Holders Pro Rata share of the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount. Within the applicable LINN Rights Offering, the LINN Rights Offerings Participants shall have the right to purchase their allocated shares of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock at the per share purchase price set forth in the LINN Backstop Agreement and the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures.
Upon exercise of the LINN Rights by the LINN Rights Offerings Participants pursuant to the terms of the LINN Backstop Agreement and the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures, Reorganized LINN shall be authorized to issue the Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable pursuant to such exercise.
The LINN Unsecured Backstop Parties shall provide an aggregate backstop commitment equal to the total LINN Unsecured Rights Offerings Amount and the LINN Secured Backstop Parties shall provide a backstop commitment equal to the total LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount. Pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement, (a) the LINN Backstop Secured Parties shall purchase any Reorganized LINN Common Stock not subscribed to for
34
purchase by Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims who are not LINN Backstop Secured Parties as part of the LINN Secured Rights Offering, up to the LINN Secured Rights Offering Amount, at the per share purchase price set forth in the LINN Backstop Agreement, and (b) the LINN Backstop Unsecured Parties shall purchase any Reorganized LINN Common Stock not subscribed to for purchase by Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims who are not LINN Backstop Unsecured parties as part of the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering, up to the LINN Unsecured Rights Offering Amount, at the per share purchase price set forth in the LINN Backstop Agreement, and in each case, together with any additional shares, at the purchase price set forth in the LINN Backstop Agreement, issued on account of such unsubscribed Reorganized LINN Common Stock pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement to account for the price at which such unsubscribed shares are to be sold under the LINN Backstop Agreement.
The LINN Backstop Parties obligation to backstop the LINN Rights Offerings shall be contingent on the entry of the LINN Backstop Agreement Order, which shall, among other things, approve the payment of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium and related expense reimbursements set forth in the LINN Backstop Agreement to the LINN Backstop Parties. Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute Bankruptcy Court approval of the LINN Rights Offerings (including the transactions contemplated thereby, and all actions to be undertaken, undertakings to be made, and obligations to be incurred by Reorganized LINN in connection therewith). On the Effective Date, the rights and obligations of the LINN Debtors under the LINN Backstop Agreement shall vest in the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable.
The Cash Proceeds raised by Reorganized LINN in connection with the LINN Rights Offerings will be transferred to LINN by Reorganized LINN on the Effective Date (together with less than 50 percent of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock and claims under the LINN Exit Facility) in exchange for a portion of the LINN Debtors assets that are transferred to Reorganized LINN in a taxable disposition.
4. LINN Rights and Reorganized LINN Common Stock.
Reorganized LINN shall be authorized to issue the LINN Rights and the Reorganized LINN Common Stock to certain Holders of Claims pursuant to Article III.B. Such Reorganized LINN Common Stock shall either (a) be issued to LINN Rights Offerings Participants and/or LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Rights Offerings and LINN Backstop Agreement, or (b) be issued to LINN in exchange for a portion of the LINN Debtors assets in a taxable disposition and subsequently distributed by LINN to certain Holders of Allowed Claims against the LINN Debtors. Reorganized LINN shall issue all securities, instruments, certificates, and other documents required to be issued by it with respect to all such shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock. All such LINN Rights and shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock, and any other shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
D. LINN Second Lien Plan Settlement.
On the Effective Date, any and all LINN Second Lien Notes Claims will be resolved and compromised, as a settlement pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 and section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, on the following terms:
(1) the Second Lien Notes Claims shall be finally and irrevocably Allowed as Unsecured Claims in the amount set forth in Article III.B.4, and Holders of such claims shall be entitled to the treatment set forth in Article III.B.4 and all other rights provided for in this Plan or the LINN RSA;
(2) the mortgages, pledges, and all other security interests securing the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims shall be immediately and automatically released, and the LINN Debtors, Reorganized LINN Debtors, and the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, as applicable, shall be authorized to execute, deliver, record, and file any documentation to evidence or effectuate such release of mortgages, pledges, and other security interests;
(3) the LINN Debtors and their estates will be deemed to have expressly released any and all claims to avoid, subordinate, setoff, reclassify, reduce, recharacterize or disallow in whole or in part the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, whether under any provision of chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code, any equitable theory (including, without limitation, equitable subordination, equitable disallowance or unjust enrichment), or otherwise, and any other claims that the LINN Debtors and their estates may be entitled to assert against the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee or any holder of the LINN Second Lien Notes under any applicable law; and
35
(4) the LINN Second Lien Settlement Agreement shall terminate and shall be of no further force and effect; provided, that the Confirmation Order provides for resolution and settlement of the LINN Second Lien Notes Claims on the terms set forth above.
E. Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement.
The LINN Intercompany Settled Claims and the Berry Intercompany Settled Claims shall be resolved pursuant to the terms of the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement Term Sheet.
F. Corporate Existence.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, each LINN Debtor shall continue to exist after the Effective Date as a separate corporate Entity, limited liability company, partnership, or other form, as the case may be, with all the powers of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other form, as the case may be, pursuant to the applicable law in the jurisdiction in which each applicable LINN Debtor is incorporated or formed and pursuant to the respective certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or other formation documents) in effect before the Effective Date, except to the extent such certificate of incorporation and by-laws (or other formation documents) are amended under the Plan or otherwise, and to the extent such documents are amended, such documents are deemed to be amended pursuant to the Plan and require no further action or approval (other than any requisite filings required under applicable state or federal law).
On the Effective Date, and pursuant to any mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, arrangements, agreements, continuances, restructurings, transfers, conversions, dispositions, liquidations, dissolutions, or other corporate transactions that the LINN Debtors reasonably determine are necessary to consummate the Plan, all assets of LINN (other than the equity interests in LAC and Berry) will be conveyed to Reorganized LINN (or a subsidiary thereof) in a taxable disposition and will be directly or indirectly held by Reorganized LINN or another entity affiliated with Reorganized LINN; provided, however, that the allocation of assets shall be structured such that neither Reorganized LINN nor any of the LINN Debtors shall be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, and this conclusion is based on one or more bases or exclusions other than Sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act, including that neither the LINN Debtors nor any of its Subsidiaries comes within the basic definition of investment company under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act. For the avoidance of doubt, LinnCo and LINN shall be wound down and liquidated as part of the Restructuring Transaction, and Reorganized LINN is not intended to be a successor to LinnCo and LINN for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
G. Vesting of Assets in the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, on the Effective Date, all property in each Estate, all Causes of Action, and any property acquired by any of the LINN Debtors pursuant to the Plan shall vest in each applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, Interests, or other encumbrances. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, each of the Reorganized LINN Debtors may operate its business and may use, acquire, or dispose of property and compromise or settle any Claims, Interests, or Causes of Action without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules. For the avoidance of doubt, on the Effective Date, all rights and obligations of the LINN Debtors with respect to the LINN Backstop Agreement shall vest in the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtors, and the Reorganized LINN Debtors will be deemed to assume all such obligations.
H. Cancellation of Existing Securities and Agreements.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, all notes, instruments, certificates, agreements, indentures, mortgages, security documents, and other documents evidencing Claims or Interests, including Other LINN Secured Claims, LINN Lender Claims, LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, LINN Unsecured Notes Claims, and Interests in LINN and LinnCo, shall be deemed canceled, surrendered, and discharged
36
without any need for further action or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any Holder or other person and the obligations of the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, thereunder or in any way related thereto shall be deemed satisfied in full and discharged, and the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent shall be released from all duties thereunder; provided, however, that Holders of Interests in LinnCo may receive a non-transferable escrow position to the extent necessary to facilitate any distributions that may become available in the future on account of such Interests in LinnCo; provided, further, however, that notwithstanding Confirmation or Consummation, any such indenture or agreement that governs the rights of the Holder of a Claim shall continue in effect solely for purposes of: (1) allowing Holders to receive distributions under the Plan; (2) allowing the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to enforce their rights, claims, and interests vis-à-vis any parties other than the LINN Debtors; (3) allowing the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to make the distributions in accordance with the Plan (if any), as applicable; (4) preserving any rights of the LINN Administrative Agent or the LINN Indenture Trustees to payment of fees, expenses, and indemnification obligations as against any money or property distributable to the Holders under the relevant indenture, the LINN Intercreditor Agreement, or the LINN Credit Agreement, including any rights to priority of payment and/or to exercise charging liens; (5) allowing the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to enforce any obligations owed to each of them under the Plan; (6) allowing the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to exercise rights and obligations relating to the interests of the Holders under the relevant indentures and credit agreements; (7) allowing the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to appear in the Chapter 11 Cases or in any proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court or any other court; and (8) permitting the LINN Indenture Trustees and the LINN Administrative Agent to perform any functions that are necessary to effectuate the foregoing; provided, further, however, that except as provided below, the preceding proviso shall not affect the discharge of Claims or Interests pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, the Confirmation Order, or the Plan, or result in any expense or liability to the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable. Except for the foregoing, the LINN Indenture Trustees and their respective agents shall be relieved of all further duties and responsibilities related to the LINN Notes Indentures and the Plan, except with respect to such other rights of such LINN Indenture Trustees that, pursuant to the applicable LINN Notes Indentures, survive the termination of such indentures. Subsequent to the performance by each LINN Indenture Trustee of its obligations pursuant to the Plan, each LINN Indenture Trustee and its agents shall be relieved of all further duties and responsibilities related to the applicable indenture.
I. Corporate Action.
On the Effective Date, all actions contemplated under the Plan with respect to the applicable LINN Debtor or Reorganized LINN Debtor shall be deemed authorized and approved in all respects, including: (1) implementation of the LINN Restructuring Transactions; (2) formation by a non-LINN Debtor, non-LINN Backstop Party third-party as contemplated in the Plan and the LINN Backstop Agreement, of Reorganized LINN on the day before the Effective Date, and the wind-down of LinnCo and LINN; (3) selection of, and the election or appointment (as applicable) of, the directors and officers for the Reorganized LINN Debtors; (4) as applicable, adoption of, entry into, and assumption and/or assignment of the Reorganized LINN Employment Agreements; (5) adoption of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan and the issuance and distribution of Reorganized LINN EIP Equity in connection therewith; (6) execution and delivery of the LINN Exit Facility Documents and Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents and incurrence of the LINN Exit Facility and the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any); (7) approval and adoption of (and, as applicable, the execution, delivery, and filing of) the New Organizational Documents; (8) the issuance and distribution of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock in accordance with Plan, including all shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued in the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution, all shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued by Reorganized LINN to the LINN Backstop Parties as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, and the unsubscribed shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement; (9) the issuance and distribution of the LINN Rights and the subsequent issuance and distribution of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such; (10) payment, in Cash, of (a) all amounts owed to Holders of Allowed LINN Lender Claims and Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims pursuant to Article III of the Plan, and (b) all Cash premiums and other amounts required to be paid under the LINN Backstop Agreement Order; (11) the execution and delivery of the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement; (12) the establishment and funding of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool; and (12) all other actions contemplated under the Plan (whether to occur before, on, or after the Effective Date). All matters provided for herein involving the corporate structure of
37
the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, and any corporate action, authorization, or approval that would otherwise be required by the Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have occurred or to have been obtained and shall be in effect as of the Effective Date, without any requirement of further action, authorization, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court, security holders, directors, managers, or officers of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors or any other person.
On or before the Effective Date, the appropriate officers of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be authorized and, as applicable, directed to issue, execute, and deliver the agreements, documents, securities, and instruments, and take such actions, contemplated under the Plan (or necessary or desirable to effect the transactions contemplated under the Plan) in the name of and on behalf of the Reorganized Debtors, including the LINN Exit Facility Documents, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents (if any), the New Organizational Documents, the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements, the LINN Rights Offerings, the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement, the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool, the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool, and the Reorganized LINN Common Stock, as applicable, and any and all other agreements, documents, securities, and instruments relating to the foregoing, and all such documents shall be deemed ratified. The authorizations and approvals contemplated by this Article IV.I shall be effective notwithstanding any requirements under non-bankruptcy law.
J. New Organizational Documents.
The New Organizational Documents shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors. On the Effective Date, each of the Reorganized LINN Debtors will file its New Organizational Documents with the applicable Secretaries of State and/or other applicable authorities in its respective state of incorporation or formation in accordance with the applicable laws of the respective state of incorporation or formation, to the extent required for such New Organizational Documents to become effective. Pursuant to section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code, the New Organizational Documents will prohibit the issuance of non-voting equity securities. After the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors may amend and restate their respective New Organizational Documents and other constituent documents as permitted by the laws of their respective state of incorporation and its respective New Organizational Documents and other constituent documents of the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
K. Directors and Officers of the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
As of the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Board shall consist of seven directors and will include: (1) the current Chief Executive Officer of LINN; (2) one director selected by Reorganized LINN; and (3) five directors to be selected by a six-person committee comprised of the five largest Consenting LINN Noteholders (as determined pursuant to Section 4 of the LINN RSA) and the current Chief Executive Officer of LINN. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at or prior to such time as Reorganized LINN, or any subsidiary or newly created entity holding assets, directly or indirectly, of Reorganized LINN, seeks to issue any equity security in a registered offering that results in such equity being listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ, the Reorganized LINN Board shall be constituted to meet the applicable independence requirements of NYSE or NASDAQ, as applicable. Decisions of the Reorganized LINN Board will be made by a majority of the Reorganized LINN Board.
As of the Effective Date, the terms of the current members of the boards of directors or managers, as applicable, of each of the LINN Debtors shall expire, and the Reorganized LINN Board, and the boards of directors or managers of each of the other Reorganized LINN Debtors will include those directors set forth in the list of directors of the Reorganized LINN Debtors included in the Plan Supplement.
After the Effective Date, the officers of each of the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be appointed in accordance with the respective New Organizational Documents. Pursuant to section 1129(a)(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, the LINN Debtors will disclose in the Plan Supplement the identity and affiliations of each person proposed to be an officer or to serve on the board of directors of any of the Reorganized LINN Debtors. To the extent any such director or officer of the Reorganized LINN Debtors is an insider under the Bankruptcy Code, the LINN Debtors also will disclose the nature of any compensation to be paid to such director or officer. Each such director and officer shall serve from and after the Effective Date pursuant to the terms of the New Organizational Documents.
38
L. Section 1146 Exemption.
Pursuant to, and to the fullest extent permitted by, section 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, any transfers of property pursuant to, in contemplation of, or in connection with, the Plan, including (1) the LINN Restructuring Transactions; (2) the LINN Exit Facility and Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes; (3) the Reorganized LINN Common Stock; (4) the distribution and subsequent exercise of the LINN Rights; (5) the issuance and delivery of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock pursuant to the LINN Rights Offerings; (6) the issuance and delivery of the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity; (7) the transfer of the LINN Debtors assets to Reorganized LINN that is intended to be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (8) the assignment or surrender of any lease or sublease; and (9) the delivery of any deed or other instrument or transfer order, in furtherance of, or in connection with the Plan, including any deeds, bills of sale, or assignments executed in connection with any disposition or transfer of assets contemplated under the Plan, shall not be subject to any document recording tax, stamp tax, conveyance fee, intangibles or similar tax, mortgage tax, stamp act, real estate transfer, mortgage recording tax, or other similar tax, and upon entry of the Confirmation Order, the appropriate state or local governmental officials or agents shall forgo the collection of any such tax or governmental assessment and accept for filing and recordation any of the foregoing instruments or other documents pursuant to such transfers or property without the payment of any such tax, recordation fee, or governmental assessment.
M. SEC Reporting Requirements.
Prior to the entry of the Disclosure Statement Order, the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders, in their absolute discretion, shall have made a determination as to whether Reorganized LINN should be a reporting company under the Exchange Act upon or as promptly as practicable following the Effective Date; provided, that in any case, from and after the Effective Date, Reorganized LINN shall be required to provide to its shareholders such annual, quarterly, and current reportings as would be required if it were a public reporting company under the Exchange Act, and Reorganized LINN will provide, via separate agreement or in its New Organizational Documents, to reflect the same. In the event that multiple entities are formed in the LINN Restructuring Transactions as Reorganized LINN, only the Reorganized LINN Debtor that is a corporate entity will be a reporting company under the Exchange Act.
N. Director, Officer, Manager, and Employee Liability Insurance.
On or before the Effective Date, the LINN Debtors, on behalf of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, will obtain directors and officers liability insurance policy coverage for the six-year period following the Effective Date for the benefit of the LINN Debtors current and former directors, managers, officers, and employees on terms no less favorable to such persons than their existing coverage under the D&O Liability Insurance Policies with available aggregate limits of liability upon the Effective Date of no less than the aggregate limit of liability under the existing D&O Liability Insurance Policies. In furtherance of such obligation, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be authorized to purchase tail coverage under a directors and officers liability insurance policy with a term of six years for current and former directors, managers, officers, and employees. After the Effective Date, none of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall terminate or otherwise reduce the coverage under any such policies (including, if applicable, any tail policy) with respect to conduct occurring on or prior to the Effective Date, and all officers, directors, managers, and employees of the LINN Debtors who served in such capacity at any time before the Effective Date shall be entitled to the full benefits of any such policy for the full six-year term of such policy regardless of whether such officers, directors, managers, or employees remain in such positions after the Effective Date.
O. Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan.
The Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan shall be authorized and implemented on the Effective Date by the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtors without any further action by the Reorganized LINN Board or the Bankruptcy Court.
The Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan will be implemented with respect to Reorganized LINN (and/or a subsidiary thereof) on the Effective Date, the material terms of which shall include equity-based awards providing for (a) 8 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors as follows: (i) 2.5 percent of the
39
equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in the form of restricted stock units to be issued on the Effective Date, (ii) 1.5 percent of the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in the form of profits interests that will vest based on time and performance (with the performance conditions satisfied once the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (as equitably adjusted for subsequent contributions and distributions) is equal to 1.5 times the discounted equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors used for the LINN Rights Offerings), all of which will be issued at Emergence, and (iii) the remaining 4 percent of the Reorganized LINN Debtors in a form of equity-based award as determined by the Reorganized LINN Board, taking into account the then prevailing practices of publicly-traded exploration and production companies, and (b) an additional 2.0 percent of the equity of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, which will be issued as of the Effective Date in the form of profits interests that vest once the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (as equitably adjusted for subsequent contributions and distributions) is equal to 1.5 times the equity value of the Reorganized LINN Debtors as of the Effective Date, provided that all of the foregoing shall be qualified by the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Term Sheet. The other terms and conditions of the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan shall be set forth in the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements and the participants respective employment agreements.
The Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan shall be implemented with respect to Reorganized LINN (and/or a subsidiary thereof) on the Effective Date in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Term Sheet, the Reorganized LINN Employee Incentive Plan Agreements, and the applicable Reorganized LINN Employment Agreements.
P. Employee Obligations.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the Plan Supplement, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall honor the LINN Debtors written contracts, agreements, policies, programs and plans for, among other things, compensation, reimbursement, indemnity, health care benefits, disability benefits, deferred compensation benefits, travel benefits, vacation and sick leave benefits, savings, severance benefits, including in the event of a change of control, retirement benefits, welfare benefits, relocation programs, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, including written contracts, agreements, policies, programs and plans for bonuses and other incentives or compensation for the directors, officers and employees of any of the LINN Debtors who served in such capacity at any time (including any compensation programs approved by the Bankruptcy Court); provided, that the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall not constitute a change in control with respect to any of the foregoing arrangements. To the extent that the above-listed contracts, agreements, policies, programs and plans are executory contracts, pursuant to sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, each of them will be deemed assumed as of the Effective Date and assigned to the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
Q. Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions.
On and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, and their respective officers and Reorganized LINN Board, are authorized to and may issue, execute, deliver, file, or record such contracts, Securities, instruments, releases, and other agreements or documents and take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, implement, and further evidence the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Securities authorized and/or issued, as applicable, pursuant to the Plan, including the Reorganized LINN Common Stock and the LINN Rights, in the name of and on behalf of the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, without the need for any approvals, authorization, or consents.
R. Preservation of Causes of Action.
Except as otherwise provided herein, in accordance with section 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, but subject to Article VIII of the Plan, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall retain (or shall receive from the LINN Debtors, as applicable) and may enforce all rights to commence and pursue any and all Causes of Action belonging to their Estates, whether arising before or after the Petition Date, including any actions specifically enumerated in the Plan Supplement, and the Reorganized LINN Debtors rights to commence, prosecute, or settle such Causes of Action shall be preserved notwithstanding the occurrence of the Effective Date, other than: (i) the Causes of Action released by the LINN Debtors pursuant to the releases and exculpations contained in the Plan, including in Article VIII, which shall be deemed released and waived by the LINN Debtors and Reorganized LINN Debtors as of the Effective Date; and (ii) all Causes of Action that arise under sections 544, 547, 548, and 549 of the Bankruptcy Code and state fraudulent conveyance law; provided, however, that in no event shall any Cause of Action against the LINN Lenders be preserved to the extent provided in the release, exculpation, injunction provisions set forth in Article VIII of the Plan.
40
The Reorganized LINN Debtors may pursue such Causes of Action, as appropriate, in accordance with the best interests of the Reorganized LINN Debtors. No Entity may rely on the absence of a specific reference in the Plan, the Plan Supplement, or the Disclosure Statement to any Cause of Action against it as any indication that the Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, will not pursue any and all available Causes of Action against it. Unless any Causes of Action against an Entity are expressly waived, relinquished, exculpated, released, compromised, or settled herein or in a Bankruptcy Court order, the Reorganized LINN Debtors expressly reserve all Causes of Action, for later adjudication, and, therefore, no preclusion doctrine, including the doctrines of res judicata, collateral estoppel, issue preclusion, claim preclusion, estoppel (judicial, equitable, or otherwise), or laches, shall apply to such Causes of Action upon, after, or as a consequence of Confirmation or Consummation; provided, however, that in no event shall any Cause of Action against the LINN Lenders be preserved to the extent provided in the release, exculpation, injunction provisions set forth in Article VIII of the Plan.
The Reorganized LINN Debtors reserve (or receive) and shall retain the Causes of Action notwithstanding the rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease during the Chapter 11 Cases or pursuant to the Plan. In accordance with section 1123(b)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code, any Causes of Action that a LINN Debtor may hold against any Entity shall vest in the Reorganized LINN Debtors. The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall have the exclusive right, authority, and discretion to determine and to initiate, file, prosecute, enforce, abandon, settle, compromise, release, withdraw, or litigate to judgment any such Causes of Action and to decline to do any of the foregoing without the consent or approval of any third party or further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
S. Preservation of Royalty and Working Interests
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, on and after the Effective Date, all Royalty and Working Interests shall be preserved and remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms of the granting instruments or other governing documents applicable to such Royalty and Working Interests, and no Royalty and Working Interests shall be compromised or discharged by the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, any right to payment arising from a Royalty and Working Interest, if any, shall be treated as a LINN General Unsecured Claim under this Plan and shall be subject to any discharge and/or release provided hereunder.
T. Payment of Certain Fees.
Without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, the Reorganized LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN, as applicable, shall pay on the Effective Date any reasonable and documented unpaid fees and expenses incurred on or before the Effective Date by all of the attorneys, accountants, and other professionals, advisors, and consultants payable under (a) the LINN Exit Facility and the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any) (which fees and out-of-pocket expenses shall be paid by Reorganized LINN), (b) the LINN Backstop Agreement (for the avoidance of doubt, the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, to the extent not already paid, shall be paid by Reorganized LINN pursuant to the terms of the LINN Backstop Agreement Order), (c) the Cash Collateral Order (which fees and expenses shall be paid by Reorganized LINN, Berry, or reorganized Berry, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the terms of the Cash Collateral Order); and (d) the LINN RSA, including any applicable transaction, success, or similar fees for which the applicable LINN Debtors have agreed to be obligated.
Without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall pay in Cash on the Effective Date all reasonable and documented unpaid fees and expenses incurred on or before the Effective Date of the LINN Indenture Trustees, including the LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses, without a reduction to recoveries of the Holders of the LINN Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein affects the LINN Indenture Trustees rights to exercise their respective LINN Indenture Trustee Charging Liens against distributions to the Holders of the LINN Notes.
41
Each LINN Indenture Trustee shall provide reasonably detailed invoices to the LINN Debtors no later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date (subject to redaction to preserve attorney-client privilege). If the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors dispute any requested LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses, the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors shall (i) pay the undisputed portion of LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses, and (ii) notify the applicable LINN Indenture Trustee of such dispute within five (5) days after presentment of the invoices by such LINN Indenture Trustee. Upon such notification, the applicable LINN Indenture Trustee may submit such dispute for resolution by the Bankruptcy Court; provided, however, that the Bankruptcy Courts review shall be limited to a determination of whether the disputed portion of the LINN Indenture Trustee Fees and Expenses is reasonable.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to impair, waive, discharge, or negatively impact the LINN Indenture Trustee Charging Lien. To the extent that a LINN Indenture Trustee provides services, or incurs costs or expenses, including professional fees, related to or in connection with the Plan, the Confirmation Order, or the LINN Indenture Trustee prior to the Effective Date, such LINN Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Reorganized LINN Debtors, without further Bankruptcy Court approval, reasonable compensation for such services and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such services. The payment of such compensation and expenses will be made promptly and on the terms provided herein or as otherwise agreed to by the applicable LINN Indenture Trustee and the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
ARTICLE V.
TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES
A. Assumption and Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
On the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided herein, all Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases of the LINN Debtors, not previously assumed or rejected pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court, will be deemed to be Assumed Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases, in accordance with the provisions and requirements of sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, other than those Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases that: (1) previously were assumed or rejected by the LINN Debtors; (2) are identified on the Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List; (3) are the subject of a motion to reject Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases that is pending on the Confirmation Date; or (4) are subject to a motion to reject an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to which the requested effective date of such rejection is after the Effective Date; provided, that the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, may not assume or reject any material Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease without the prior written consent of the Required Consenting LINN Creditors (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided, further, that following the request for consent by LINN or Reorganized LINN, if the consent of the Required Consenting LINN Creditors is not obtained or declined within five (5) Business Days following written request thereof by LINN or Reorganized LINN, such consent shall be deemed to have been granted by the Required Consenting LINN Creditors.
Entry of the Confirmation Order by the Bankruptcy Court shall constitute a court order approving the assumptions, assumptions and assignments, or rejections of the Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases as set forth in the Plan, the Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List, or the Assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List pursuant to sections 365(a) and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code. Any motions to assume Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases pending on the Effective Date shall be subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court on or after the Effective Date by a Final Order. Each Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease assumed pursuant to this Article V.A or by any order of the Bankruptcy Court, which has not been assigned to a third party before the Confirmation Date, shall revest in and be fully enforceable by the Reorganized LINN Debtors in accordance with its terms, except as such terms are modified by the Plan or any order of the Bankruptcy Court authorizing and providing for its assumption under applicable federal law. Notwithstanding anything in this Article V.A. to the contrary, the Reorganized LINN Employment Agreements shall be deemed to be entered into or assumed and/or assigned (as applicable) to Reorganized LINN or Reorganized Berry on the Effective Date, and Reorganized LINN shall be responsible for any cure costs arising from or related to the assumption of such Reorganized LINN Employment Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, reserve the right to alter, amend, modify, or supplement the Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List and the Assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List at any time through and including 30 days after the Effective Date.
42
B. Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases.
Unless otherwise provided by a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, all Proofs of Claim with respect to Claims arising from the rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases, pursuant to the Plan or the Confirmation Order, if any, must be Filed within 30 days after the later of: (1) the date of entry of an order of the Bankruptcy Court (including the Confirmation Order) approving such rejection; and (2) the effective date of such rejection. Any Claims arising from the rejection of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease not Filed within such time will be automatically disallowed, forever barred from assertion, and shall not be enforceable against the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, the Estates, or their property without the need for any objection by the Reorganized LINN Debtors or further notice to, or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity, and any Claim arising out of the rejection of the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall be deemed fully satisfied, released, and discharged, notwithstanding anything in the Schedules or a Proof of Claim to the contrary. All Allowed Claims arising from the rejection of the LINN Debtors Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases shall be classified as LINN General Unsecured Claims or LINN Convenience Claims (as applicable) against the applicable LINN Debtor and shall be treated in accordance with the Plan, unless a different security or priority is otherwise asserted in such Proof of Claim and Allowed in accordance with Article VII of the Plan.
C. Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
Any monetary defaults under each Assumed Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease (calculated as of the Petition Date) shall be satisfied, pursuant to section 365(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, by payment of the default amount in Cash on the Effective Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, subject to the limitation described below, or on such other terms as the parties to such Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases may otherwise agree. In the event of a dispute regarding (1) the amount of any payments to cure such a default, (2) the ability of the Reorganized LINN Debtors or any assignee to provide adequate assurance of future performance (within the meaning of section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code) under the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to be assumed, or (3) any other matter pertaining to assumption, the cure payments required by section 365(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be made following the entry of a Final Order resolving the dispute and approving the assumption.
At least fourteen (14) days before the Confirmation Hearing, the LINN Debtors will provide for notices of proposed assumption and proposed cure amounts to be sent to applicable third parties and for procedures for objecting thereto and resolution of disputes by the Bankruptcy Court. Any objection by a counterparty to an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to a proposed assumption or related cure amount must be Filed, served, and actually received by the LINN Debtors at least seven (7) days before the Confirmation Hearing. Any counterparty to an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that fails to object timely to the proposed assumption or cure amount will be deemed to have consented to such assumption or proposed cure amount.
If the Bankruptcy Court determines that the Allowed Cure Claim with respect to any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease is greater than the amount set forth in the applicable Cure Notice, the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, may add such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, in which case such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease will be deemed rejected as the Effective Date.
Assumption of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall result in the full release and satisfaction of any Claims or defaults, whether monetary or nonmonetary, including defaults of provisions restricting the change in control or ownership interest composition or other bankruptcy-related defaults, arising under any Assumed Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease at any time before the effective date of assumption. Any Proofs of Claim Filed with respect to an Assumed Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall be deemed disallowed and expunged, without further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
D. Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.
Rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to the Plan or otherwise shall not constitute a termination of preexisting obligations owed by the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease counterparty or counterparties to the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, under such Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases.
43
E. Indemnification Obligations.
The LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall assume the Indemnification Obligations for the current and former directors, officers, managers, employees, and other professionals of the LINN Debtors, to the extent consistent with applicable law, and such Indemnification Obligations shall not be modified, reduced, discharged, impaired, or otherwise affected in any way, and shall survive Unimpaired and unaffected, irrespective of when such obligation arose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall impair the ability of the Reorganized LINN Debtors to modify indemnification obligations (whether in the bylaws, certificates or incorporate or formation, limited liability company agreements, other organizational or formation documents, board resolutions, indemnification agreements, employment contracts, or otherwise) arising after the Effective Date; provided, that none of the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall amend or restate any of the New Organizational Documents before the Effective Date to terminate or adversely affect any of the Reorganized LINN Debtors Indemnification Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this paragraph shall affect the assumption of any Indemnification Obligations arising under the D&O Liability Insurance Policies.
F. Insurance Policies.
Each of the LINN Debtors Insurance Policies is treated as an Executory Contract under the Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, on the Effective Date, the LINN Debtors shall be deemed to have assumed all insurance policies and any agreements, documents, and instruments relating to coverage of all insured Claims, and such Insurance Policies shall not be impaired in any way by the Plan or Confirmation Order, but rather will remain valid and enforceable in accordance with their terms.
G. Modifications, Amendments, Supplements, Restatements, or Other Agreements.
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, each Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that is assumed shall include all modifications, amendments, supplements, restatements, or other agreements that in any manner affect such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, and all Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases related thereto, if any, including all easements, licenses, permits, rights, privileges, immunities, options, rights of first refusal, and any other interests, unless any of the foregoing agreements have been previously rejected or repudiated or is rejected or repudiated under the Plan.
Unless otherwise provided herein or in the applicable Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease (as may have been amended, modified, supplemented, or restated), modifications, amendments, supplements, and restatements to prepetition Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases that have been executed by the LINN Debtors during the Chapter 11 Cases shall not be deemed to alter the prepetition nature of the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, or the validity, priority, or amount of any Claims that may arise in connection therewith.
H. Reservation of Rights.
Neither the exclusion nor inclusion of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease on the Rejected Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease List, nor anything contained in the Plan, shall constitute an admission by the LINN Debtors that any such contract or lease is in fact an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease or that any of the Reorganized LINN Debtors has any liability thereunder. If there is a dispute regarding whether a contract or lease is or was executory or unexpired at the time of assumption or rejection, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall have thirty (30) days following entry of a Final Order resolving such dispute to alter its treatment of such contract or lease.
I. Nonoccurrence of Effective Date.
In the event that the Effective Date does not occur with respect to a LINN Debtor, the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to any request to extend the deadline for assuming or rejecting Unexpired Leases with respect to such LINN Debtor pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, unless such deadline(s) have expired.
44
J. Contracts and Leases Entered Into After the Petition Date.
Contracts and leases entered into after the Petition Date by any LINN Debtor, including any Assumed Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases, will be performed by the applicable LINN Debtor or the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor liable thereunder in the ordinary course of their business. Accordingly, any such contracts and leases (including any Assumed Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases) that have not been rejected as of the date of the Confirmation Date shall survive and remain unaffected by entry of the Confirmation Order.
ARTICLE VI.
PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS
A. Timing and Calculation of Amounts to Be Distributed.
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, on the Effective Date (or if a Claim or Interest is not an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest on the Effective Date, on the date that such Claim or Interest becomes an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter), each Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest shall receive the full amount of the distributions that the Plan provides for Allowed Claims and Allowed Interest in the applicable Class. In the event that any payment or act under the Plan is required to be made or performed on a date that is not a Business Day, then the making of such payment or the performance of such act may be completed on the next succeeding Business Day, but shall be deemed to have been completed as of the required date. If and to the extent that there are Disputed Claims or Disputed Interests, distributions on account of any such Disputed Claims or Disputed Interests shall be made pursuant to the provisions set forth in Article VII of the Plan.
B. Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions.
1. Record Date for Distribution.
On the Distribution Record Date, the Claims Register shall be closed and any party responsible for making distributions shall instead be authorized and entitled to recognize only those record Holders listed on the Claims Register as of the close of business on the Distribution Record Date.
2. Delivery of Distributions in General.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall make distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests as of the Distribution Record Date at the address for each such Holder as indicated on the LINN Debtors records as of the date of any such distribution; provided, however, that the Distribution Record Date shall not apply to publicly-traded Securities. The manner of such distributions shall be determined at the discretion of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (subject to the reasonable consent of the Committee or the LINN Creditor Representative, as applicable, solely with respect to distributions affecting Class A6 - LINN General Unsecured Claims and Class A7 - LINN Convenience Claims), and the address for each Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest shall be deemed to be the address set forth in any Proof of Claim or Interest Filed by that Holder.
3. Delivery of Distributions on LINN Lender Claims.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, all distributions on account of Allowed LINN Lender Claims shall be governed by the LINN Credit Agreement and shall be deemed completed when made to the LINN Administrative Agent, which shall be deemed the Holder of such Allowed LINN Lender Claims for purposes of distributions to be made hereunder. The LINN Administrative Agent shall hold or direct such distributions for the benefit of the Holders of Allowed LINN Lender Claims for the benefit of the Holders of Allowed LINN Lender Claims, as applicable. As soon as practicable following compliance with the requirements set forth in this Article VI, the LINN Administrative Agent shall arrange to deliver or direct the delivery of such distributions to or on behalf of the Holders of LINN Lender Claims.
45
4. Delivery of Distributions on LINN Second Lien Notes Claims.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or reasonably requested by the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, all distributions to Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims shall be deemed completed when made to the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee; provided, however, that non-Cash consideration shall not be distributed in the name of the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, which shall be deemed to be the Holder of all Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims for purposes of distributions to be made hereunder. The LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee shall hold or direct such distributions for the benefit of the Holders of Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims. As soon as practicable in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Article VI, the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee shall arrange to deliver such distributions to or on behalf of such Holders.
If the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee is unable to make, or consents to the Reorganized LINN Debtors making, such distributions, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, with such LINN Second Lien Notes Trustees cooperation, shall make such distributions to the extent reasonably practicable to do so (provided that until such distributions are made, the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee Charging Lien shall attach to the property to be distributed in the same manner as if such distributions were made through the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee). As to any Holder of an Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims that is held in the name of, or by a nominee of DTC, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall seek the cooperation of DTC so that such distribution shall be made through the facilities of DTC on or as soon as practicable on or after the Effective Date.
5. Delivery of Distributions on LINN Unsecured Notes Claims.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or reasonably requested by the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, all distributions to Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims shall be deemed completed when made to the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee; provided, however, that non-Cash consideration shall not be distributed in the name of the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee. The LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee shall hold or direct such distributions for the benefit of the Holders of Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims. As soon as practicable in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Article VI, the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee shall arrange to deliver such distributions to or on behalf of such Holders, subject to the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustees LINN Indenture Charging Lien. If the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee is unable to make, or consents to the Reorganized LINN Debtors making, such distributions, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, with the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustees cooperation, shall make such distributions to the extent practicable to do so (provided that until such distributions are made, the LINN Unsecured Notes Indenture Trustee Charging Lien shall attach to the property to be distributed in the same manner as if such distributions were made through the LINN Unsecured Notes Indenture Trustee). The LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee shall have no duties or responsibility relating to any form of distribution that is not DTC eligible and the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall seek the cooperation of DTC so that any distribution on account of an Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claim that is held in the name of, or by a nominee of, DTC, shall be made through the facilities of DTC on the Effective Date or as soon as practicable thereafter. The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall reimburse the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee for any reasonable and documented fees and expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of its counsel and agents) incurred after the Effective Date solely in connection with the implementation of the Plan, including but not limited to, making distributions pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan.
6. Delivery of Cash Distributions to Holders of LINN General Unsecured Claims and LINN Convenience Claims.
The LINN Debtors and Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, will, in their reasonable discretion and in consultation with (and subject to the reasonable consent of) the Committee or LINN Creditor Representative, as applicable, determine the method for a timely distribution of all Cash distributions to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims and Allowed LINN Convenience Claims pursuant to the Plan.
46
7. No Fractional Distributions.
No fractional shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock or Reorganized LINN EIP Equity shall be distributed and no Cash shall be distributed in lieu of such fractional amounts. When any distribution pursuant to the Plan on account of an applicable Allowed Claim would otherwise result in the issuance of a number of shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock or Reorganized LINN EIP Equity that is not a whole number, the actual distribution of shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock or Reorganized LINN EIP Equity shall be rounded as follows: (a) fractions of one-half ( 1⁄2) or greater shall be rounded to the next higher whole number and (b) fractions of less than one-half ( 1⁄2) shall be rounded to the next lower whole number with no further payment therefor; provided, however, that fractional shares rounding determinations with respect to the LINN Rights Offerings shall be subject to the LINN Rights Offerings Procedures. The total number of authorized shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock or Reorganized LINN EIP Equity to be distributed to Holders of Allowed Claims shall be adjusted as necessary to account for the foregoing rounding.
8. Minimum Distribution.
No Cash payment of less than $50.00 shall be made to a Holder of an Allowed Claim on account of such Allowed Claim.
9. Undeliverable Distributions and Unclaimed Property.
In the event that any distribution to any Holder is returned as undeliverable, no distribution to such Holder shall be made unless and until the Reorganized LINN Debtors have determined the then-current address of such Holder, at which time such distribution shall be made to such Holder without interest; provided, however, that such distributions shall be deemed unclaimed property under section 347(b) of the Bankruptcy Code at the expiration of six (6) months from the Effective Date. After such date, all unclaimed property or interests in property shall revert to the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor(s) automatically and without need for a further order by the Bankruptcy Court (notwithstanding any applicable federal or state escheat, abandoned, or unclaimed property laws to the contrary), and any claim of any Holder to such property shall be fully discharged, released, and forever barred.
C. Manner of Payment.
Unless as otherwise set forth herein, all distributions of Cash, the Reorganized LINN Common Stock, the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity, and the LINN Rights, as applicable, to the Holders of Allowed Claims under the Plan shall be made by the Reorganized Debtors. At the option of the Reorganized LINN Debtors (in consultation with, and subject to the reasonable consent of, the Committee or the LINN Creditor Representative, as applicable), any Cash payment to be made under the Plan may be made by check or wire transfer or as otherwise required or provided in applicable agreements.
D. SEC Exemption.
Each of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock, the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity, and the LINN Rights are or may be securities, as defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act, section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code, and applicable state securities laws.
All shares of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued in the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution (except with respect to an entity that is an underwriter as defined in subsection (b) of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code), the LINN Rights (and any shares issuable upon the exercise thereof other than the unsubscribed shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement), and shares issuable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, will be issued in reliance upon section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code. All unsubscribed shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement and all Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to an entity that is an underwriter as defined in subsection (b) of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code will be issued in reliance upon section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Reorganized LINN EIP Equity will be issued either (i) pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-8 or
47
(ii) in accordance with an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and other applicable law. All shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued in reliance upon section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder will be considered restricted securities and may not be transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an available exemption therefrom.
Pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, the issuance of (1) the Reorganized LINN Common Stock in the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution, (2) the LINN Rights (including shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof other than the unsubscribed shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement), (3) shares issuable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, and (4) any other securities issued in reliance on section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, are exempt from, among other things, the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act and any other applicable U.S. state or local law requiring registration before the offering, issuance, distribution, or sale of such securities. Each of the foregoing securities (other than the unsubscribed Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement and Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to an entity that is an underwriter as defined in subsection (b) of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code) (a) is not a restricted security as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, and (b) is freely tradable and transferable by any initial recipient thereof that (i) at the time of transfer, is not an affiliate of the Reorganized LINN as defined in Rule 144(a)(1) under the Securities Act and has not been such an affiliate within 90 days of such transfer, and (ii) is not an entity that is an underwriter as defined in subsection (b) of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code.
The unsubscribed Reorganized LINN Common Stock purchased by the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall exclude any shares issued on account of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium) and all Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to an entity that is an underwriter as defined in subsection (b) of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code will be issued without registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder. To the extent issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D thereunder, each will be restricted securities subject to resale restrictions and may be resold, exchanged, assigned or otherwise transferred only pursuant to registration, or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and other applicable law.
Should the Reorganized LINN Debtors elect on or after the Effective Date to reflect any ownership of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock through the facilities of DTC, the Reorganized LINN Debtors need not provide any further evidence other than the Plan or the Confirmation Order with respect to the treatment of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock or under applicable securities laws.
DTC shall be required to accept and conclusively rely upon the Plan and Confirmation Order in lieu of a legal opinion regarding whether any of the Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the LINN Rights, as applicable, are exempt from registration and/or eligible for DTC book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, DTC) may require a legal opinion regarding the validity of any transaction contemplated by the Plan, including, for the avoidance of doubt, whether the Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the LINN Rights, are exempt from registration and/or eligible for DTC book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services.
E. Compliance with Tax Requirements.
In connection with the Plan, as applicable, the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtor(s) shall comply with all tax withholding and reporting requirements imposed on them by any Governmental Unit with respect to distributions pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be authorized to take all actions necessary to comply with such withholding and reporting requirements, including liquidating a portion of the distribution to be made under the Plan to generate sufficient funds to pay applicable withholding taxes, withholding distributions pending receipt of information necessary to facilitate such distributions, and establishing any other mechanisms they believe are reasonable and appropriate to comply with such requirements. The LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors reserve the right to allocate all distributions made under the Plan in compliance with all applicable wage garnishments, alimony, child support, and other spousal awards, liens, and encumbrances.
48
F. No Postpetition or Default Interest on Claims.
Unless otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or the Confirmation Order, and notwithstanding any documents that govern the LINN Debtors prepetition funded indebtedness to the contrary, (a) postpetition and/or default interest shall not accrue or be paid on any Claims and (b) no Holder of a Claim shall be entitled to: (i) interest accruing on or after the Petition Date on any such Claim; or (ii) interest at the contract default rate, as applicable.
G. Setoffs and Recoupment.
Unless otherwise provided for in the Plan or the Confirmation Order, the LINN Debtors and Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, may, but shall not be required to, setoff against or recoup any payments or distributions to be made pursuant to the Plan in respect of any Claims of any nature whatsoever that the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors may have against the claimant, but neither the failure to do so nor the allowance of any Claim hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release by the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors of any such claim it may have against the Holder of such Claim.
H. No Double Payment of Claims.
To the extent that a Claim is Allowed against more than one LINN Debtors Estate, there shall be only a single recovery on account of that Allowed Claim, but the Holder of an Allowed Claim against more than one LINN Debtor may recover distributions from all co-obligor LINN Debtors Estates until the Holder has received payment in full on the Allowed Claims. No Holder of an Allowed Claim shall be entitled to receive more than payment in full of its Allowed Claim, and each Claim shall be administered and treated in the manner provided by the Plan only until payment in full on that Allowed Claim.
I. Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties.
1. Claims Paid by Third Parties.
The LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall reduce a Claim, and such Claim shall be disallowed without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, to the extent that the Holder of such Claim receives payment on account of such Claim from a party that is not a LINN Debtor or a Reorganized LINN Debtor. Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, to the extent a Holder of a Claim receives a distribution on account of such Claim and receives payment from a party that is not a LINN Debtor or a Reorganized LINN Debtor on account of such Claim, such Holder shall, within fourteen (14) days of receipt thereof, repay or return the distribution to the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor, to the extent the Holders total recovery on account of such Claim from the third party and under the Plan exceeds the amount of such Claim as of the date of any such distribution under the Plan. The failure of such Holder to timely repay or return such distribution shall result in the Holder owing the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor annualized interest at the Federal Judgment Rate on such amount owed for each Business Day after the 14-day period specified above until the amount is repaid.
2. Claims Payable by Third Parties.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, (i) no distributions under the Plan shall be made on account of an Allowed Claim that is payable pursuant to one of the LINN Debtors insurance policies until the Holder of such Allowed Claim has exhausted all remedies with respect to such insurance policy, and (ii) to the extent that one or more of the LINN Debtors insurers agrees to satisfy in full or in part a Claim (if and to the extent adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction), then immediately upon such insurers agreement, the applicable portion of such Claim may be expunged without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
49
3. Applicability of Insurance Policies.
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims shall be in accordance with the provisions of any applicable insurance policy. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any Cause of Action that the LINN Debtors or any Entity may hold against any other Entity, including insurers under any policies of insurance, nor shall anything contained herein (a) constitute or be deemed a waiver by such insurers of any rights or defenses, including coverage defenses, held by such insurers, or (b) establish, determine, or otherwise imply any liability or obligation, including any coverage obligation, of any insurer.
J. Allocation of Distributions Between Principal and Interest.
For distributions in respect of Allowed LINN Lender Claims, Allowed LINN Second Lien Notes Claims, Allowed LINN Unsecured Notes Claims and Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims, to the extent that any such Allowed Claim entitled to a distribution under the Plan is comprised of indebtedness and accrued but unpaid interest thereon, such distribution shall be allocated to the principal amount (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of the Claim first, and then to accrued but unpaid interest; provided, that for distributions in respect of Allowed LINN Lender Claims, to the extent that any such Claim entitled to a distribution under the Plan is comprised of indebtedness and accrued but unpaid interest thereon, such distribution shall be allocated to the accrued but unpaid interest first, and then to the principal amount.
ARTICLE VII.
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT,
UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS
A. Allowance of Claims.
Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan, after the Effective Date, each of the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall have and retain any and all rights and defenses such LINN Debtor had with respect to any Claim immediately before the Effective Date. Except as specifically provided in the Plan or in any order entered in the Chapter 11 Cases before the Effective Date (including the Confirmation Order), no Claim shall become an Allowed Claim unless and until such Claim is deemed Allowed under the Plan or the Bankruptcy Code, or the Bankruptcy Court has entered a Final Order, including the Confirmation Order (when it becomes a Final Order), in the Chapter 11 Cases allowing such claim.
B. Claims Administration Responsibilities.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan and subject to the rights and duties of the LINN Creditor Representative set forth herein, after the Effective Date, the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor(s) shall have the sole authority: (1) to File, withdraw, or litigate to judgment, objections to Claims; (2) to settle or compromise any Disputed Claim without any further notice to or action, order, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court; and (3) to administer and adjust the Claims Register to reflect any such settlements or compromises without any further notice to or action, order, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court.
The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall file any and all claims objections with respect to LINN General Unsecured Claims no later than 90 days after the Effective Date. In the event that any such LINN General Unsecured Claims are not objected to within such timeframe, the LINN Creditor Representative shall have standing following 90 days after the Effective Date: (1) to File, withdraw, or litigate to judgment, objections to such Claim(s); and (2) settle or compromise such Disputed Claim(s) without any further notice to or action, order, or approval by the Bankruptcy Court.
50
C. LINN Creditor Representative.
In connection with the claims reconciliation process administered by the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, the Committee shall appoint a creditor representative for the purpose of participating in and consulting with the Reorganized LINN Debtors regarding such process and taking other appropriate actions set forth in the Plan. The identity of the party chosen to act as the LINN Creditor Representative shall be disclosed in the Plan Supplement.
The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall consult with the LINN Creditor Representative on a weekly basis regarding the status of the claims reconciliation process, any proposed settlement of Disputed Claims, and any issues related to such process, including any proposed retention of experts, consultants, or advisors; provided, that subject to the dispute resolution mechanics between the LINN Creditor Representative and the Reorganized LINN Debtors set forth herein, that a proposed retention of an expert, consultant, or advisor reasonably expected to cost more than $75,000 shall require the prior written consent of the LINN Creditor Representative.
The settlement of any Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claim that (i) was filed or scheduled in an amount of $750,000 or greater, or (ii) the Reorganized LINN Debtors propose to settle in an amount of $750,000 or greater, shall require the prior written consent of the LINN Creditor Representative; provided, that the LINN Creditor Representative shall have the right to seek recourse from the Bankruptcy Court on an expedited basis in the event that any dispute arises between the Reorganized LINN Debtors and the LINN Creditor Representative with respect to such claims reconciliation process; provided, further, that, in the event that the LINN Creditor Representative has not provided written consent with respect to any proposed settlement of any Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claim requiring written consent within fourteen (14) days of the Reorganized LINN Debtors provision of notice of such proposed settlement, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall have the right to seek Bankruptcy Court approval of such settlement subject to the objection of the LINN Creditor Representative; provided, further, that the costs of the Reorganized LINN Debtors incurred (including legal fees and expenses) in connection with any disputes over the claims reconciliation process (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not the claims reconciliation process itself) shall not be charged against the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool. Upon request, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall promptly provide the LINN Creditor Representative with information about any claims asserted in an amount of $500,000 or greater, and shall promptly provide the LINN Creditor Representative with information about any other General Unsecured Claims that the LINN Creditor Representative may reasonably request. The Bankruptcy Court shall take into account the recoveries to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims in making any determinations with respect to any disputes between the LINN Creditor Representative and the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
The LINN Creditor Representative shall be compensated at a rate to be agreed upon with the Committee and the LINN Creditor Representative and shall be entitled to the reimbursement of reasonable and documented expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel.
D. LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool; LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool.
On the Effective Date, the Debtors shall irrevocably fund each of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool into separate, segregated bank accounts not subject to the control of the lenders or the administrative agent under the LINN Exit Facility, which accounts shall not be, at any time, subject to any liens, security interests, or other encumbrances. Except as provided herein, Cash held on account of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool shall not constitute property of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors and distributions from such accounts shall be made in accordance with Article III, Article VI, and Article VII hereof. In the event there is any remaining Cash balance in the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool after payment to all Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims, such remaining amount, if any, shall be distributed Pro Rata to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims. In the event that the sum of (i) Allowed LINN Convenience Claims and (ii) Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims for which such Holders elect to irrevocably reduce to receive treatment as Allowed LINN Convenience Claims exceeds the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool, any such excess costs will be paid with, and deducted from, the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool. In the event that there is any remaining Cash balance in the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool after payment of all Allowed LINN Convenience Claims (including all Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims electing treatment as Allowed LINN Convenience Claims), the excess amounts shall be transferred into the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool for Pro Rata distribution to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims (excluding those electing treatment as Allowed LINN Convenience Claims).
51
For the avoidance of doubt, the total cost of the claims reconciliation process of Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claims, including the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool, the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool, the LINN Creditor Representatives compensation and expense reimbursement, and the Reorganized LINN Debtors claims reconciliation expenses shall not exceed $40,000,000 in the aggregate; provided, however, that the pre-Effective Date costs and expenses of the LINN Debtors and their Professionals, and any post-Effective Date costs and expenses of AlixPartners, LLP or its affiliates, acting on behalf of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, shall not count toward the foregoing $40,000,000 aggregate limit; provided, further, however, that any unused portion of the foregoing $40,000,000 remaining at the conclusion of the claims reconciliation process of Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claims shall be distributed Pro Rata to Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims.
Subject to definitive guidance from the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction to the contrary (including receipt by the Reorganized LINN Debtors of a private letter ruling if so requested, or the receipt of an adverse determination by the IRS upon audit if not contested by the Reorganized LINN Debtors), the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall (i) treat each of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool as a disputed ownership fund governed by Treasury Regulation section 1.468B-9 (and make any appropriate elections) and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, report consistently with the foregoing for state and local income tax purposes. All parties (including the Reorganized LINN Debtors, the LINN Creditor Representative, and the Holders of Claims and Interests) shall report for United States federal, state, and local income tax purposes consistently with the foregoing. The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall be responsible for payment, out of the Cash assets of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool, as applicable, of any taxes imposed on such pools or their assets.
The Reorganized LINN Debtors may request an expedited determination of taxes of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool under section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code for all tax returns for all taxable periods through the closing of such accounts.
E. Estimation of Claims.
Before or after the Effective Date, and in consultation with the LINN Creditor Representative or the Committee, as applicable, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, may (but are not required to) at any time request that the Bankruptcy Court estimate any Disputed Claim that is contingent or unliquidated pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code for any reason, regardless of whether any party previously has objected to such Claim or whether the Bankruptcy Court has ruled on any such objection, and the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 to estimate any such Claim, including during the litigation of any objection to any Claim or during the appeal relating to such objection. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, a Claim that has been expunged from the Claims Register, but that either is subject to appeal or has not been the subject of a Final Order, shall be deemed to be estimated at zero dollars, unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. In the event that the Bankruptcy Court estimates any contingent or unliquidated Claim, that estimated amount shall constitute a maximum limitation on such Claim for all purposes under the Plan (including for purposes of distributions), and the relevant Reorganized Debtor may elect to pursue any supplemental proceedings to object to any ultimate distribution on such Claim.
Notwithstanding section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, in no event shall any Holder of a Claim that has been estimated pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise be entitled to seek reconsideration of such estimation unless such Holder has Filed a motion requesting the right to seek such reconsideration on or before seven (7) days after the date on which such Claim is estimated. Each of the foregoing Claims and objection, estimation, and resolution procedures are cumulative and not exclusive of one another. Claims may be estimated and subsequently compromised, settled, withdrawn, or resolved by any mechanism approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
F. Claims Reserve.
On or before the Effective Date, the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, shall be authorized, but not directed, to establish one or more Disputed Claims reserves, which Disputed Claims reserves shall be administered by the Reorganized LINN Debtors, to the extent applicable; provided, that the establishment, mechanics, amounts, and timing of such Disputed Claims reserves shall be reasonably acceptable to the Committee.
52
The LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, may, in their reasonable discretion and in consultation with the Committee or the LINN Creditor Representative, as applicable, hold Cash, in the same proportions and amounts as provided for in the Plan, in the Disputed Claims reserves in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the total estimated amount of LINN General Unsecured Claims and LINN Convenience Claims ultimately determined to be Allowed after the Effective Date. The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall distribute such amounts (net of any expenses, including any taxes relating thereto), as provided herein, as such Claims are resolved by a Final Order or agreed to by settlement, and such amounts will be distributable on account of such Claims as such amounts would have been distributable had such Claims been Allowed Claims as of the Effective Date under the Plan solely to the extent of the amounts available in the applicable Disputed Claims reserves. Any portions of the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool remaining after resolution of Disputed LINN General Unsecured Claims shall be released from the applicable Disputed Claims reserves for Pro Rata distributions to the Holders of Allowed LINN General Unsecured Claims.
G. Adjustment to Claims without Objection.
Any Claim that has been paid or satisfied, or any Claim that has been amended or superseded, may be adjusted or expunged on the Claims Register by the Reorganized LINN Debtors without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
H. Time to File Objections to Claims or Interests.
Any objections to Claims or Interests shall be Filed on or before the Claims Objection Deadline.
I. Disallowance of Claims.
Any Claims held by Entities from which the Bankruptcy Court has determined that property is recoverable under section 542, 543, 550, or 553 of the Bankruptcy Code or that is a transferee of a transfer that the Bankruptcy Court has determined is avoidable under section 522(f), 522(h), 544, 545, 547, 548, 549, or 724(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be deemed disallowed pursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, and Holders of such Claims may not receive any distributions on account of such Claims until such time as such Causes of Action against that Entity have been settled or a Bankruptcy Court order with respect thereto has been entered and the full amount of such obligation to the LINN Debtors has been paid or turned over in full. All Proofs of Claim Filed on account of an Indemnification Obligation shall be deemed satisfied and expunged from the Claims Register as of the Effective Date to the extent such Indemnification Obligation is assumed (or honored or reaffirmed, as the case may be) pursuant to the Plan, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court. All Proofs of Claim Filed on account of an employee benefit shall be deemed satisfied and expunged from the Claims Register as of the Effective Date to the extent the Reorganized Entities elect to honor such employee benefit, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
Except as provided herein or otherwise agreed, any and all Proofs of Claim Filed after the Bar Date shall be deemed disallowed and expunged as of the Effective Date without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, and Holders of such Claims may not receive any distributions on account of such Claims, unless on or before the Confirmation Hearing such late Claim has been deemed timely Filed by a Final Order.
J. Amendments to Proofs of Claim.
On or after the Effective Date, a Proof of Claim or Interest may not be Filed or amended without the prior authorization of the Bankruptcy Court or the Reorganized LINN Debtors (in consultation with the LINN Creditor Representative), and any such new or amended Proof of Claim or Interest Filed shall be deemed disallowed in full and expunged without any further action.
53
K. Reimbursement or Contribution.
If the Bankruptcy Court disallows a Claim for reimbursement or contribution of an Entity pursuant to section 502(e)(1)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code, then to the extent that such Claim is contingent as of the time of allowance or disallowance, such Claim shall be forever disallowed and expunged notwithstanding section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, unless before the Confirmation Date: (1) such Claim has been adjudicated as non-contingent; or (2) the relevant Holder of a Claim has Filed a non-contingent Proof of Claim on account of such Claim and a Final Order has been entered before the Confirmation Date determining such Claim as no longer contingent.
L. No Distributions Pending Allowance.
Except as otherwise set forth herein, if an objection to a Claim or portion thereof is Filed as set forth in Article VII.A and Article VII.B of the Plan, no payment or distribution provided under the Plan shall be made on account of such Disputed Claim or portion thereof unless and until such Disputed Claim becomes an Allowed Claim.
M. Distributions After Allowance.
To the extent that a Disputed Claim ultimately becomes an Allowed Claim, distributions (if any) shall be made to the Holder of such Allowed Claim in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and pursuant to procedures set by the Reorganized LINN Debtors and reasonably acceptable to the Committee or LINN Creditor Representative, as applicable. As soon as reasonably practicable after the date a Disputed Claim becomes Allowed, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall provide to the Holder of such Claim the distribution (if any) to which such Holder is entitled under the Plan, as of the Effective Date, without any interest, dividends, or accruals to be paid on account of such Claim unless required under such order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court.
ARTICLE VIII.
SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS
A. Compromise and Settlement of Claims, Interests, and Controversies
Pursuant to section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019 and in consideration for the distributions and other benefits provided pursuant to the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall constitute a good-faith compromise and settlement of all Claims, Interests, and controversies relating to the contractual, legal, and subordination rights that a Holder of a Claim or Interest may have with respect to any Allowed Claim or Interest, or any distribution to be made on account of such Allowed Claim or Interest. The entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts approval of the compromise or settlement of all such Claims, Interests, and controversies, as well as a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that such compromise or settlement is in the best interests of the LINN Debtors, their Estates, and Holders of Claims and Interests and is fair, equitable, and reasonable. In accordance with the provisions of the Plan, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, after the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors may compromise and settle Claims against, and Interests in, the LINN Debtors and their Estates and Causes of Action against other Entities.
B. Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests.
Pursuant to section 1141(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, and except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or in any contract, instrument, or other agreement or document created pursuant to the Plan, the distributions, rights, and treatment that are provided in the Plan shall be in complete satisfaction, discharge, and release, effective as of the Effective Date, of Claims (including any Intercompany Claims resolved or compromised after the Effective Date by the Reorganized LINN Debtors), Interests, and Causes of Action of any nature whatsoever, including any interest accrued on Claims or Interests from and after the Petition Date, whether known or unknown, against, liabilities of, Liens on, obligations of, rights against, and Interests in, the LINN Debtors or any of their assets or properties, regardless of whether any property shall have been distributed or retained pursuant to the Plan on account of such Claims and Interests, including demands, liabilities, and Causes of Action that arose before the
54
Effective Date, any liability (including withdrawal liability) to the extent such Claims or Interests relate to services performed by employees of the LINN Debtors before the Effective Date and that arise from a termination of employment, any contingent or non-contingent liability on account of representations or warranties issued on or before the Effective Date, and all debts of the kind specified in sections 502(g), 502(h), or 502(i) of the Bankruptcy Code, in each case whether or not: (1) a Proof of Claim based upon such debt or right is Filed or deemed Filed pursuant to section 501 of the Bankruptcy Code; (2) a Claim or Interest based upon such debt, right, or Interest is Allowed pursuant to section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (3) the Holder of such a Claim or Interest has accepted the Plan. Any default or event of default by the LINN Debtors or Affiliates with respect to any Claim or Interest that existed immediately before or on account of the Filing of the Chapter 11 Cases shall be deemed cured (and no longer continuing) as of the Effective Date. The Confirmation Order shall be a judicial determination of the discharge of all Claims and Interests subject to the Effective Date occurring.
C. Release of Liens.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or in any contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document created pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date and concurrently with the applicable distributions made pursuant to the Plan and, in the case of a Secured Claim, satisfaction in full of the portion of the Secured Claim that is Allowed as of the Effective Date, except for Other LINN Secured Claims that the LINN Debtors elect to Reinstate in accordance with Article III.B.1 of the Plan, all mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, or other security interests against any property of the Estates shall be fully released and discharged, and all of the right, title, and interest of any Holder of such mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, or other security interests shall revert to the Reorganized LINN Debtors and their successors and assigns, in each case, without any further approval or order of the Bankruptcy Court and without any action or Filing being required to be made by the LINN Debtors; provided, that this Article VIII.C shall not apply to the LINN Lender Claims to the extent specifically provided for in the LINN Exit Facility Documents or Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents (if any).
D. Releases by the Debtors.
In addition to the releases set forth in the Berry-LINN Intercompany Settlement Agreement, pursuant to section 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, for good and valuable consideration, on and after the Effective Date, each Released Party is deemed released and discharged by the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, and their Estates from any and all Claims and Causes of Action, whether known or unknown, including any derivative claims, asserted on behalf of the LINN Debtors, that the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, or their Estates would have been legally entitled to assert in their own right (whether individually or collectively) or on behalf of the Holder of any Claim or Interest, based on or relating to, or in any manner arising from, in whole or in part, the LINN Debtors (including the management, ownership or operation thereof), Reorganized LINN (including the formation thereof), the LINN Debtors in- or out-of-court restructuring efforts, intercompany transactions (including dividends and management fees paid), the LINN Credit Agreement, the LINN Second Lien Notes, the LINN Unsecured Notes, the Cash Collateral Order (and any payments or transfers in connection therewith), the Cash Management Order, the LINN Intercreditor Agreement, any preference or avoidance claim pursuant to sections 544, 547, 548, and 549 of the Bankruptcy Code, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, negotiation, or consummation of the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, the LINN Second Lien Settlement Agreement, the LINN Exit Facility, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any), the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Backstop Commitment Letter, the LINN Backstop Agreement, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document (including providing any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract, instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Released Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, the LINN Second Lien Settlement, the Disclosure Statement, the Plan, the LINN Exit Facility, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, the LINN Rights Offerings, the Chapter 11 Cases, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance or distribution of Securities pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan, or any other related agreement, or upon any other act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date related or relating to the
55
foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the releases set forth above do not release any post-Effective Date obligations of any party or Entity under the Plan, any Restructuring Transaction, or any document, instrument, or agreement (including those set forth in the Plan Supplement) executed to implement the Plan.
E. Releases by Holders of Claims and Interests.
As of the Effective Date, each Releasing Party is deemed to have released and discharged each LINN Debtor, Reorganized LINN Debtor, and Released Party from any and all Claims and Causes of Action, including Claims and Causes of Action, whether known or unknown, including any derivative claims, asserted on behalf of the Debtors, that such Entity would have been legally entitled to assert (whether individually or collectively), based on or relating to, or in any manner arising from, in whole or in part, the Debtors (including the management, ownership or operation thereof), Reorganized LINN (including the formation thereof), the LINN Debtors in- or out-of-court restructuring efforts, intercompany transactions (including dividends paid), transactions pursuant and/or related to LINN Credit Agreement, the LINN Backstop Commitment Letter, the LINN Backstop Agreement, the LINN Second Lien Notes, the LINN Unsecured Notes, the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Backstop Agreement, the New Organizational Documents, the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement, the Cash Collateral Order (and any payments or transfers in connection therewith), the Cash Management Order, the LINN Intercreditor Agreement, any preference or avoidance claim pursuant to sections 544, 547, 548, and 549 of the Bankruptcy Code, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, negotiation, or Filing of the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, the LINN Second Lien Settlement, the LINN Exit Facility, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Backstop Commitment Letter, the LINN Backstop Agreement, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document (including providing any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract, instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Released Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the LINN Second Lien Settlement, the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, the Disclosure Statement, the Plan, the LINN Exit Facility, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, the LINN Rights Offerings, the Chapter 11 Cases, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance or distribution of Securities pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan, or any other related agreement, or upon any other act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date related or relating to the foregoing; provided, however, that except as expressly provided under the Plan, the foregoing releases shall not release obligations arising under agreements among the Releasing Parties and the Released Parties other than the Debtors (including, without limitation, the indemnification rights of the Indenture Trustees under the LINN Notes Indentures and related documentation), and shall not release claims related to any act or omission that is determined in a final order to have constituted actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.
F. Exculpation.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, no Exculpated Party shall have or incur liability for, and each Exculpated Party is hereby released and exculpated from, any Cause of Action for any claim related to any act or omission in connection with, relating to, or arising out of, the Chapter 11 Cases, the formulation, preparation, dissemination, negotiation, Filing, or termination of the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, and related prepetition transactions, and related prepetition transactions, the Disclosure Statement, the Plan, the LINN Second Lien Settlement, or any Restructuring Transaction, contract, instrument, release or other agreement or document (including providing any legal opinion requested by any Entity regarding any transaction, contract, instrument, document, or other agreement contemplated by the Plan or the reliance by any Exculpated Party on the Plan or the Confirmation Order in lieu of such legal opinion) created or entered into in connection with the Disclosure Statement, the Plan, the LINN RSA, the Original LINN RSA, the LINN Second Lien Settlement Agreement, the LINN Exit Facility, the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes, the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Backstop Commitment Letter, the LINN Backstop Agreement, the Filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the pursuit of Confirmation, the pursuit of Consummation, the administration and implementation of the Plan, including the issuance of Securities
56
pursuant to the Plan, or the distribution of property under the Plan, or any other related agreement, except for claims related to any act or omission that is determined in a final order to have constituted actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence, but in all respects such Entities shall be entitled to reasonably rely upon the advice of counsel with respect to their duties and responsibilities pursuant to or in connection with the Plan and the LINN Restructuring Transactions. The Exculpated Parties have, and upon completion of the Plan shall be deemed to have, participated in good faith and in compliance with the applicable laws with regard to the solicitation of, and distribution of, consideration pursuant to the Plan and, therefore, are not, and on account of such distributions shall not be, liable at any time for the violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation governing the solicitation of acceptances or rejections of the Plan or such distributions made pursuant to the Plan.
G. Injunction.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or for obligations issued or required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the Confirmation Order, all Entities that have held, hold, or may hold claims or interests that have been released pursuant to Article VIII.D or Article VIII.E of the Plan, shall be discharged pursuant to Article VIII.A of the Plan, or are subject to exculpation pursuant to Article VIII.F of the Plan, are permanently enjoined, from and after the Effective Date, from taking any of the following actions against, as applicable, the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, or the Released Parties: (i) commencing or continuing in any manner any action or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such claims or interests; (ii) enforcing, attaching, collecting, or recovering by any manner or means any judgment, award, decree, or order against such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such claims or interests; (iii) creating, perfecting, or enforcing any lien or encumbrance of any kind against such Entities or the property or the estates of such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such claims or interests; (iv) asserting any right of setoff, subrogation, or recoupment of any kind against any obligation due from such Entities or against the property of such Entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such claims or interests unless such Entity has timely asserted such setoff right in a document Filed with the Bankruptcy Court explicitly preserving such setoff, and notwithstanding an indication of a claim or interest or otherwise that such Entity asserts, has, or intends to preserve any right of setoff pursuant to applicable law or otherwise; and (v) commencing or continuing in any manner any action or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such claims or interests released or settled pursuant to the Plan; provided, however, that such injunction shall not apply to claims related to any act or omission that is determined in a final order to have constituted actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.
H. Protections Against Discriminatory Treatment.
Consistent with section 525 of the Bankruptcy Code and the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, all Entities, including Governmental Units, shall not discriminate against the Reorganized LINN Debtors or deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license, permit, charter, franchise, or other similar grant to, condition such a grant to, discriminate with respect to such a grant against, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, or another Entity with whom the Reorganized LINN Debtors have been associated, solely because each Debtor has been a debtor under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, has been insolvent before the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases (or during the Chapter 11 Cases but before the Debtors are granted or denied a discharge), or has not paid a debt that is dischargeable in the Chapter 11 Cases.
I. Regulatory Activities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in the Plan or Confirmation Order is intended to affect the police or regulatory activities of Governmental Units or other governmental agencies.
J. Recoupment.
In no event shall any Holder of Claims or Interests be entitled to recoup any Claim against any claim, right, or Cause of Action of the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, unless such Holder actually has performed such recoupment and provided notice thereof in writing to the LINN Debtors on or before the Confirmation Date, notwithstanding any indication in any Proof of Claim or Proof of Interest or otherwise that such Holder asserts, has, or intends to preserve any right of recoupment.
57
K. Document Retention.
On and after the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors may maintain documents in accordance with their standard document retention policy, as may be altered, amended, modified, or supplemented by the Reorganized LINN Debtors.
ARTICLE IX.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONFIRMATION
AND CONSUMMATION OF THE PLAN
A. Conditions Precedent to Confirmation.
It shall be a condition to Confirmation with respect to the LINN Debtors that the following shall have been satisfied or waived pursuant to the provisions of Article IX.C of the Plan:
1. the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered the Disclosure Statement Order, the LINN Backstop Agreement Order, and the Confirmation Order in a manner consistent in all material respects with the Plan, and the LINN Backstop Agreement, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors;
2. the Plan shall not contain any modifications that would alter or materially affect the treatment of LINN General Unsecured Claims or LINN Convenience Claims, unless such modifications have been approved in writing by the Committee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld); and
3. the Confirmation Order shall, among other things:
(a) | authorize the LINN Debtors and the Reorganized LINN Debtors to take all actions necessary to enter into, implement, and consummate the contracts, instruments, releases, leases, indentures, and other agreements or documents created in connection with the Plan; |
(b) | decree that the provisions of the Confirmation Order and the Plan are nonseverable and mutually dependent; |
(c) | authorize the LINN Debtors, Reorganized LINN Debtors, and Reorganized LINN, as applicable/necessary, to: (i) implement the LINN Restructuring Transactions; (ii) authorize, issue, incur, and/or distribute the LINN Exit Facility, the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any), the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity, the Reorganized LINN Common Stock (including with respect to the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution), the LINN Rights (and any shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof and the unsubscribed shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement), and shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, pursuant to, in the case of the LINN Funded Debt Equity Distribution, the LINN Rights (and any shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof) and shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, the exemption from registration provided by section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, and in the case of any other securities, pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code or another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or pursuant to one or more registration statements; (iii) make all distributions and issuances as required under the Plan, including Cash (including Cash payable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium), the Reorganized LINN Common Stock (including with respect to the LINN |
58
Funded Debt Equity Distribution), the LINN Rights (and any shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof and the unsubscribed shares issued to the LINN Backstop Parties pursuant to the LINN Backstop Agreement), shares of Reorganized LINN Common Stock issuable as part of the LINN Backstop Commitment Premium, the Reorganized LINN EIP Equity, the LINN Exit Facility, and the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (if any); (iv) establish and fund the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and the LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool; and (v) enter into any agreements, transactions, and sales of property as set forth in the Plan Supplement with respect to the LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, including the LINN Exit Facility Documents and the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents (if any); |
(d) | provide that on the Effective Date, all of the Liens and security interests to be granted in accordance with the LINN Exit Facility Documents (a) shall be legal, binding, and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the collateral granted thereunder in accordance with the terms of the LINN Exit Facility Documentation, (b) shall be deemed automatically attached and perfected on the Effective Date, subject only to such Liens and security interests as may be permitted under the LINN Exit Facility Documents, and (c) shall not be subject to avoidance, recharacterization, or subordination (including equitable subordination) for any purposes whatsoever and shall not constitute preferential transfers, fraudulent conveyances, or other voidable transfers under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable non-bankruptcy law; and the Reorganized LINN Debtors and the Entities granted such Liens and security interests are authorized to make all filings and recordings, and to obtain all governmental approvals and consents necessary to establish, attach, and perfect such Liens and security interests under the provisions of the applicable state, provincial, federal, or other law (whether domestic or foreign) that would be applicable in the absence of the Plan and the Confirmation Order (it being understood that perfection shall occur automatically by virtue of the entry of the Confirmation Order, and any such filings, recordings, approvals, and consents shall not be required), and will thereafter cooperate to make all other filings and recordings that otherwise would be necessary under applicable law to give notice of such Liens and security interests to third parties; |
(e) | provide that on the Effective Date, all of the mortgages granted to the prepetition LINN Lenders shall be deemed to be amended and assigned by the LINN Administrative Agent and the LINN Lenders and assumed by the Reorganized LINN Debtors and (a) shall be legal, binding, and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the collateral granted thereunder in accordance with the terms of the LINN Exit Facility Documents, (b) shall be deemed automatically attached and perfected on the Effective Date, subject only to such Liens and security interests as may be permitted under the LINN Exit Facility Documents; |
(f) | provide that, pursuant to section 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, the assignment or surrender of any lease or sublease, and the delivery of any deed or other instrument or transfer order in furtherance of, or in connection with, any transfers of property pursuant to the Plan, including any deeds, mortgages, security interest filings, bills of sale, or assignments executed in connection with any disposition or transfer of assets contemplated under the Plan shall not be subject to any document recording tax, stamp tax, conveyance fee, intangible or similar tax, mortgage tax, stamp tax, real estate transfer tax, mortgage recording tax, or other similar tax to the extent permissible under section 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, and upon entry of the Confirmation Order, the appropriate state or local governmental officials or agents shall forgo the collection of any such tax or governmental assessment and accept for filing and recordation any of the foregoing instruments or other documents without the payment of any such tax, recordation fee, or governmental assessment; |
(g) | approve the LINN Second Lien Plan Settlement on the terms set forth in Article IV.D herein; and |
(h) | contain the release, injunction, and exculpation provisions contained in Article VIII herein. |
59
B. Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date.
It shall be a condition to the Effective Date that the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived pursuant to the provisions of Article IX.C of the Plan:
1. the Confirmation Order shall have been duly entered and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the LINN Debtors, the Required Consenting LINN Creditors, and the Committee.
2. the Plan and the applicable documents included in the Plan Supplement, including any exhibits, schedules, documents, amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto, and inclusive of any amendments, modifications, or supplements made after the Confirmation Date but before the Effective Date, shall have been filed and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the LINN Debtors and the Required Consenting LINN Creditors; provided, however, that any Plan modifications that would alter or materially affect the treatment of LINN General Unsecured Claims or LINN Convenience Claims shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Committee.
3. the New Organizational Documents with respect to the Reorganized LINN Debtors, the LINN Backstop Agreement, the Reorganized LINN Registration Rights Agreement, the LINN Exit Facility Documents, Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents (if any), and the Transition Services Agreement shall be in full force and effect (with all conditions precedent thereto having been satisfied or waived) and subject to any post-closing execution and delivery requirements provided for in the LINN Exit Facility Documents or the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes Documents (if any), as applicable;
4. the Debtors shall have obtained all authorizations, consents, regulatory approvals, rulings, or documents that are necessary to implement and effectuate the Plan;
5. all Allowed Professional Fee Claims approved by the Bankruptcy Court shall have been paid in full or amounts sufficient to pay such Allowed Professional Fee Claims after the Effective Date have been placed in the Professional Fee Escrow Account pending approval of the Professional Fee Claims by the Bankruptcy Court;
6. the LINN RSA shall not have been terminated by the LINN Debtors or the Required Consenting LINN Creditors;
7. the conditions precedent to the LINN Exit Facility Documents shall have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Required Consenting LINN Lenders;
8. if the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders have elected for such listing, the Debtors shall have filed applications seeking to qualify the Reorganized LINN Common Stock for listing on the NASDAQ or NYSE, as elected by the Required Consenting LINN Noteholders;
9. the Closing under the LINN Backstop Agreement shall have occurred or will be deemed to occur simultaneously upon the Effective Date;
10. the LINN GUC Cash Distribution Pool and LINN Convenience Claims Cash Distribution Pool shall have been established and funded in accordance with the terms of the Plan; and
11. all requisite governmental authorities and third parties shall have approved or consented to the LINN Restructuring Transactions to the extent required.
C. Waiver of Conditions.
The conditions to Confirmation and Consummation set forth in this Article IX may be waived by the LINN Debtors, with the reasonable consent of the Required Consenting LINN Creditors and the Committee (solely with respect to waivers of the conditions set forth in Article IX.A.2, Article IX.B.1, Article IX.B.2, and Article IX.B.10), without notice, leave, or order of the Bankruptcy Court or any formal action other than proceedings to confirm or consummate the Plan.
60
D. Substantial Consummation
Substantial Consummation of the Plan, as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 1101(2), with respect to any of the Debtors, shall be deemed to occur on the Effective Date with respect to such LINN Debtor.
E. Effect of Failure of Conditions.
If the Effective Date does not occur with respect to any of LINN Debtors, the Plan shall be null and void in all respects with respect to such LINN Debtor, and nothing contained in the Plan or the Disclosure Statement shall: (1) constitute a waiver or release of any Claims by or Claims against or Interests in such LINN Debtors; (2) prejudice in any manner the rights of such LINN Debtors, any Holders of a Claim or Interest, or any other Entity; or (3) constitute an admission, acknowledgment, offer, or undertaking by such LINN Debtors, any Holders, or any other Entity in any respect.
ARTICLE X.
MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF THE PLAN
A. Modification and Amendments.
Subject to the limitations contained in the Plan, the LINN Debtors reserve the right to modify the Plan and seek Confirmation consistent with the Bankruptcy Code and, as appropriate, not resolicit votes on such modified Plan. Subject to certain restrictions and requirements set forth in section 1127 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 3019 and those restrictions on modifications set forth in the Plan, the LINN Debtors expressly reserve their rights to alter, amend, or modify materially the Plan, one or more times, after Confirmation, and, to the extent necessary, may initiate proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court to so alter, amend, or modify the Plan, or remedy any defect or omission, or reconcile any inconsistencies in the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, or the Confirmation Order, in such matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of the Plan.
B. Effect of Confirmation on Modifications.
Entry of a Confirmation Order shall mean that all modifications or amendments to the Plan since the solicitation thereof are approved pursuant to section 1127(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and do not require additional disclosure or resolicitation under Bankruptcy Rule 3019.
C. Revocation or Withdrawal of Plan.
The LINN Debtors reserve the right to revoke or withdraw the Plan before the Confirmation Date. If the LINN Debtors revoke or withdraw the Plan, or if Confirmation and Consummation does not occur, then: (1) the Plan shall be null and void in all respects; (2) any settlement or compromise embodied in the Plan (including the fixing or limiting to an amount certain of any Claim or Interest or Class of Claims or Interests), assumption or rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases effectuated by the Plan, and any document or agreement executed pursuant to the Plan, shall be deemed null and void; and (3) nothing contained in the Plan shall: (a) constitute a waiver or release of any Claims or Interests; (b) prejudice in any manner the rights of the LINN Debtors or any other Entity, including the Holders of Claims; or (c) constitute an admission, acknowledgement, offer, or undertaking of any sort by the LINN Debtors or any other Entity.
ARTICLE XI.
RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
Notwithstanding the entry of the Confirmation Order and the occurrence of the Effective Date, on and after the Effective Date, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas shall retain exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising out of, or related to, the Chapter 11 Cases and the Plan pursuant to sections 105(a) and 1142 of the Bankruptcy Code to the extent provided under applicable law, including jurisdiction to:
61
1. allow, disallow, determine, liquidate, classify, estimate, or establish the priority, Secured or unsecured status, or amount of any Claim or Interest, including the resolution of any request for payment of any Administrative Claim and the resolution of any and all objections to the Secured or unsecured status, priority, amount, or allowance of Claims or Interests;
2. decide and resolve all matters related to the granting and denying, in whole or in part, of any applications for allowance of compensation or reimbursement of expenses to Professionals authorized pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or the Plan;
3. resolve any matters related to: (a) the assumption, assumption and assignment, or rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to which a LINN Debtor is party or with respect to which a Debtor may be liable and to hear, determine, and, if necessary, liquidate, any Claims arising therefrom, including Cure Claims pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code; (b) any potential contractual obligation under any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that is assumed; (c) the Reorganized LINN Debtors amending, modifying, or supplementing, after the Effective Date, pursuant to Article V of the Plan, any Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases to the Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Lease List, or otherwise; and (d) any dispute regarding whether a contract or lease is or was executory or expired;
4. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any motions, adversary proceedings, contested or litigated matters, and any other matters, and grant or deny any applications involving a LINN Debtor that may be pending on the Effective Date;
5. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any and all matters related to Causes of Action;
6. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any and all matters related to section 1141 of the Bankruptcy Code;
7. enter and implement such orders as may be necessary to execute, implement, or consummate the Plan and all contracts, instruments, releases, indentures, and other agreements or documents created in connection with the Plan or the Disclosure Statement, including injunctions or other actions as may be necessary to restrain interference by an Entity with Consummation or enforcement of the Plan;
8. enter and enforce any order for the sale of property pursuant to sections 363, 1123, or 1146(a) of the Bankruptcy Code;
9. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any and all matters related to the LINN Restructuring Transactions;
10. grant any consensual request to extend the deadline for assuming or rejecting Unexpired Leases pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code;
11. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, Causes of Action, or any other matters that may arise in connection with the Consummation, interpretation, or enforcement of the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, or the LINN Restructuring Transactions, or any Entitys obligations incurred in connection with the foregoing, including disputes arising under agreements, documents, or instruments executed in connection with the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, or the LINN Restructuring Transactions;
12. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, or Causes of Action with respect to the releases, injunctions, and other provisions contained in Article VIII of the Plan and enter such orders as may be necessary to implement such releases, injunctions, and other provisions;
13. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, or Causes of Action relating to the distribution or the repayment or return of distributions and the recovery of additional amounts owed by the Holder of a Claim for amounts not timely repaid pursuant to Article VI.I.1 of the Plan;
62
14. issue injunctions, enter and implement other orders, or take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate to restrain interference by or assess damages against any Entity with Consummation or enforcement of the Plan or the LINN Restructuring Transactions;
15. enter and implement such orders as are necessary if the Confirmation Order is for any reason modified, stayed, reversed, revoked, or vacated;
16. enter an order or decree concluding or closing the Chapter 11 Cases;
17. adjudicate any and all disputes arising from or relating to distributions under the Plan or any of the transactions contemplated therein;
18. consider any modifications of the Plan, to cure any defect or omission, or to reconcile any inconsistency in any Bankruptcy Court order, including the Confirmation Order;
19. determine requests for the payment of Claims and Interests entitled to priority pursuant to section 507 of the Bankruptcy Code;
20. hear and determine matters concerning state, local, and federal taxes in accordance with sections 346, 505, and 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code, including any request made under section 505 of the Bankruptcy Code for the expedited determination of any unpaid liability of a LINN Debtor for any tax incurred during the administration of the Chapter 11 Cases, including any tax liability arising from or relating to the LINN Restructuring Transactions, for tax periods ending after the Petition Date and through the closing of the Chapter 11 Cases;
21. hear and determine all disputes involving the existence, nature, or scope of the release provisions set forth in the Plan, including any dispute relating to any liability arising out of the termination of employment or the termination of any employee or retiree benefit program, regardless of whether such termination occurred before or after the Effective Date;
22. hear and determine all disputes involving the obligations or terms of the LINN Exit Facility and the Reorganized LINN Non-Conforming Term Notes (as applicable);
23. hear and determine all disputes involving the obligations or terms of the LINN Rights Offerings, the LINN Backstop Agreement;
24. hear and determine all disputes involving the obligations or terms of the Transition Services Agreement and the Form Joint Operating Agreement;
25. hear and determine all disputes between the LINN Creditor Representative and the Reorganized LINN Debtors involving the claims reconciliation process;
26. hear and determine all disputes involving the existence, nature, or scope of the release provisions set forth in the Plan, including any dispute relating to any liability arising out of the termination of employment or the termination of any employee or retiree benefit program, regardless of whether such termination occurred before or after the Effective Date;
27. except as otherwise limited herein, recover all assets of the LINN Debtors and property of the Estates, wherever located;
28. enforce all orders previously entered by the Bankruptcy Court; and
29. hear any other matter not inconsistent with the Bankruptcy Code.
63
ARTICLE XII.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. Immediate Binding Effect.
Subject to Article IX.B of the Plan, as applicable, and notwithstanding Bankruptcy Rules 3020(e), 6004(h), or 7062 or otherwise, upon the occurrence of the Effective Date, the terms of the Plan shall be immediately effective and enforceable and deemed binding upon the LINN Debtors, the Reorganized LINN Debtors, and any and all Holders of Claims or Interests (irrespective of whether such Claims or Interests are deemed to have accepted the Plan), all Entities that are parties to or are subject to the settlements, compromises, releases, discharges, exculpations, and injunctions described in the Plan, each Entity acquiring property under the Plan, and any and all non-Debtor parties to Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases with the LINN Debtors. All Claims and debts shall be as fixed, adjusted, or compromised, as applicable, pursuant to the Plan regardless of whether any Holder of a Claim or debt has voted on the Plan.
B. Additional Documents.
On or before the Effective Date, the LINN Debtors may File with the Bankruptcy Court such agreements and other documents as may be necessary or advisable to effectuate and further evidence the terms and conditions of the Plan. The LINN Debtors or the Reorganized LINN Debtors, as applicable, and all Holders of Claims and Interests receiving distributions pursuant to the Plan and all other parties in interest shall, from time to time, prepare, execute, and deliver any agreements or documents and take any other actions as may be necessary or advisable to effectuate the provisions and intent of the Plan.
C. Dissolution of the Committee.
On the Effective Date, the Committee shall dissolve and all members, employees, or agents thereof shall be released and discharged from all rights and duties arising from or related to the Chapter 11 Cases; provided, that the Committee shall be deemed to remain in existence solely with respect to, and shall not be heard on any issue except (i) applications filed by the Professionals pursuant to section 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, and (ii) its statutory duties as the Committee for Holders of Unsecured Claims against the Berry Debtors.
D. Payment of Statutory Fees.
All fees payable pursuant to section 1930(a) of the Judicial Code, including fees and expenses payable to the U.S. Trustee, as determined by the Bankruptcy Court at a hearing pursuant to section 1128 of the Bankruptcy Code, will be paid by each of the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtors for each quarter (including any fraction thereof) until the applicable Chapter 11 Case of such Reorganized LINN Debtors is converted, dismissed, or closed, whichever occurs first. All such fees due and payable prior to the Effective Date shall be paid by the LINN Debtors on the Effective Date. After the Effective Date, the applicable Reorganized LINN Debtor shall pay any and all such fees when due and payable, and shall file with the Bankruptcy Court quarterly reports in a form reasonably acceptable to the U.S. Trustee, until the earliest of the date on which the applicable Chapter 11 Case of the Reorganized LINN Debtors is converted, dismissed, or closed.
E. Reservation of Rights.
Except as expressly set forth in the Plan, the Plan shall have no force or effect unless the Bankruptcy Court enters the Confirmation Order. None of the Filing of the Plan, any statement or provision contained in the Plan, or the taking of any action by any Debtor with respect to the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, or the Plan Supplement shall be or shall be deemed to be an admission or waiver of any rights of any Debtor or any other Entity with respect to the Holders of Claims or Interests prior to the Effective Date.
64
F. Successors and Assigns.
The rights, benefits, and obligations of any Entity named or referred to in the Plan shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of any heir, executor, administrator, successor, assign, affiliate, officer, director, manager, agent, representative, attorney, beneficiaries, or guardian, if any, of each Entity.
G. Notices.
All notices, requests, and demands to or upon the LINN Debtors to be effective shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission) and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when actually delivered or, in the case of notice by facsimile transmission, when received and telephonically confirmed, addressed as follows:
1. if to the LINN Debtors, to:
Linn Energy, LLC
JPMorgan Chase Tower
600 Travis Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Candice Wells
Email address: ***@***
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile: (212)  ###-###-####
Attention: Paul M. Basta, P.C., Stephen E. Hessler, P.C. and Brian Lennon, Esq.
E-mail addresses: ***@***, ***@***, ***@***
and
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Facsimile: (312)  ###-###-####
Attention: James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C., Joseph M. Graham, Esq., and Alexandra Schwarzman, Esq.
E-mail addresses: ***@***, ***@***, ***@***
2. if to the LINN Administrative Agent, to:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
1000 Louisiana Street, 9th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Patrick Fults
E-mail address: ***@***
65
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Baker & McKenzie LLP
452 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Attention: James Donnell
E-mail address: ***@***
and
Baker & McKenzie LLP
300 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Attention: Garry Jaunal
E-mail address: ***@***
3. if to the Ad Hoc Group of Second Lien Noteholders, to:
OMelveny & Myers LLP
7 Times Square
New York, NY 10036
Attn: John Rapisardi, Esq.
Joseph Zujkowski, Esq.
Email address: ***@***
***@***
4. if to the LINN Second Lien Notes Trustee, to:
Delaware Trust Company
2711 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
Attention: Michelle A. Dreyer
E-mail addresses: ***@***
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Arent Fox LLP
1675 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Leah M. Eisenberg
E-mail addresses: ***@***
5. if to the Ad Hoc Group of Unsecured Noteholders, to:
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
28 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Gerard Uzzi and Michael Price
E-mail addresses: ***@*** and ***@***
6. if to the LINN Unsecured Notes Trustee, to:
Wilmington Trust Company
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: Peter Finkel
E-mail addresses: ***@***
66
and
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
1100 Peachtree Street, NE
STE 2800
Atlanta, GA 30309
Attention: Todd C. Meyers, Robbin S. Rahman
E-mail addresses: ***@*** and ***@***
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
28 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Gerard Uzzi and Michael Price
E-mail addresses: ***@*** and ***@***
7. if to the Committee, to:
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attention: Keith Wofford, Mark Bane, James Wright
E-mail addresses: ***@***, ***@***, and ***@***
After the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors shall have the authority to send a notice to Entities that to continue to receive documents pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002, such Entity must File a renewed request to receive documents pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002. After the Effective Date, the Reorganized LINN Debtors are authorized to limit the list of Entities receiving documents pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 2002 to those Entities who have Filed such renewed requests.
H. Term of Injunctions or Stays.
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan or the Confirmation Order, all injunctions or stays in effect in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to sections 105 or 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or any order of the Bankruptcy Court, and extant on the Confirmation Date (excluding any injunctions or stays contained in the Plan or the Confirmation Order) shall remain in full force and effect until the Effective Date. All injunctions or stays contained in the Plan or the Confirmation Order shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
I. Entire Agreement.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Plan supersedes all previous and contemporaneous negotiations, promises, covenants, agreements, understandings, and representations on such subjects, all of which have become merged and integrated into the Plan.
J. Exhibits.
All exhibits and documents included in the Plan Supplement are incorporated into and are a part of the Plan as if set forth in full in the Plan. After the exhibits and documents are Filed, copies of such exhibits and documents shall be available upon written request to the Debtors counsel at the address above or by downloading such exhibits and documents from the Debtors restructuring website at https://cases.primeclerk.com/linn/Home-Index or the Bankruptcy Courts website at http://www.txs.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy.
67
K. Nonseverability of Plan Provisions.
If, before Confirmation, any term or provision of the Plan is held by the Bankruptcy Court to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the Bankruptcy Court shall have the power to alter and interpret such term or provision to make it valid or enforceable to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the original purpose of the term or provision held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, and such term or provision shall then be applicable as altered or interpreted. Notwithstanding any such holding, alteration, or interpretation, the remainder of the terms and provisions of the Plan will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated by such holding, alteration, or interpretation. The Confirmation Order shall constitute a judicial determination and shall provide that each term and provision of the Plan, as it may have been altered or interpreted in accordance with the foregoing, is: (1) valid and enforceable pursuant to its terms; (2) integral to the Plan and may not be deleted or modified without the LINN Debtors or Reorganized LINN Debtors consent, as applicable; provided, that any such deletion or modification must be consistent with the LINN RSA, LINN Backstop Agreement, or LINN Exit Facility Documents, as applicable; and (3) nonseverable and mutually dependent.
L. Votes Solicited in Good Faith.
Upon entry of the Confirmation Order, the LINN Debtors will be deemed to have solicited votes on the Plan in good faith and in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code, and pursuant to section 1125(e) of the Bankruptcy Code, the LINN Debtors and each of their respective Affiliates, agents, representatives, members, principals, shareholders, officers, directors, managers, employees, advisors, and attorneys will be deemed to have participated in good faith and in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code in the offer, issuance, sale, and purchase of Securities offered and sold under the Plan and any previous plan, and, therefore, neither any of such parties or individuals or the Reorganized LINN Debtors will have any liability for the violation of any applicable law (including the Securities Act), rule, or regulation governing the solicitation of votes on the Plan or the offer, issuance, sale, or purchase of the Securities offered and sold under the Plan and any previous plan.
M. Waiver or Estoppel.
Each Holder of a Claim or Interest shall be deemed to have waived any right to assert any argument, including the right to argue that its Claim or Interest should be Allowed in a certain amount, in a certain priority, Secured or not subordinated by virtue of an agreement made with the LINN Debtors or their counsel, or any other Entity, if such agreement was not disclosed in the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, or papers Filed before the Confirmation Date.
N. Closing of Chapter 11 Cases
The Reorganized LINN Debtors shall, promptly after the full administration of the Chapter 11 Cases, File with the Bankruptcy Court all documents required by Bankruptcy Rule 3022 and any applicable order of the Bankruptcy Court to close the Chapter 11 Cases; provided, that the Reorganized LINN Debtors may, in their discretion, close certain of the Chapter 11 Cases while allowing other Chapter 11 Cases to continue for the purposes of making distributions on account of Claims or administering to Claims as set forth in this Plan, or for any other provision set forth in this Plan.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
68
Dated: January 25, 2017
Respectfully submitted, | ||
By: | /s/ Arden L. Walker, Jr. | |
Name: Arden L. Walker, Jr. | ||
Title: Chief Operating Officer of Linn Energy, LLC |
Prepared by:
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
Paul M. Basta, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice)
Stephen E. Hessler, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice)
Brian S. Lennon (admitted pro hac vice)
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212)  ###-###-#### (telephone)
and
James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. (admitted pro hac vice)
Joseph M. Graham (admitted pro hac vice)
Alexandra Schwarzman (admitted pro hac vice)
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(312) 862-2000 (telephone)
and
JACKSON WALKER L.L.P.
Patricia B. Tomasco (TX Bar No. 01797600)
Matthew D. Cavenaugh (TX Bar No. 24062656)
Jennifer F. Wertz (TX Bar No. 24072822)
1401 McKinney Street, Suite 1900
Houston, Texas 77010
(713) 752-4200 (telephone)
Counsel to the Debtors and Debtors in Possession