FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CREDIT AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-4.1 2 a05-16607_1ex4d1.htm FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CREDIT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.1

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated effective as of October 19, 2005 (the “Amendment”), among FOREST OIL CORPORATION, a New York corporation (the “U.S. Borrower”), CANADIAN FOREST OIL LTD. and each other subsidiary of Canadian Forest which becomes a “Borrower” (as defined in the Canadian Credit Agreement) under the Canadian Credit Agreement (the “Canadian Borrowers”), each of the lenders that is a signatory to, or which becomes a signatory to, the U.S. Credit Agreement (together with its successors and assigns, the “U.S. Lenders”), each of the lenders that is a signatory to, or which becomes a signatory to, the Canadian Credit Agreement (together with its successors and assigns, the “Canadian Lenders”, and together with the U.S. Lenders, the “Combined Lenders”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and CITIBANK, N.A., as Co-Global Syndication Agents, BNP PARIBAS and HARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC., as Co-U.S. Documentation Agents, BANK OF MONTREAL and THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, as Co-Canadian Documentation Agents, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH, formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, Toronto Branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Global Administrative Agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Global Administrative Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

1.                                       The U.S. Borrower, Global Administrative Agent, the Co-Global Syndication Agents, the Co-U.S. Documentation Agents, and the U.S. Lenders are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2004 (as previously amended and restated, the “U.S. Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the U.S. Lenders agreed to make loans to and extensions of credit on behalf of the U.S. Borrower.

 

2.                                       The Canadian Borrowers, Global Administrative Agent, the Canadian Administrative Agent, the Co-Global Syndication Agents, the Co-Canadian Documentation Agents, and the Canadian Lenders are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2004 (as previously amended and restated, the “Canadian Credit Agreement”, and together with the U.S. Credit Agreement, the “Combined Credit Agreements”), pursuant to which the Canadian Lenders agreed to make loans to and extensions of credit on behalf of the Canadian Borrowers.

 

3.                                       The parties to the Combined Credit Agreements intend to amend the Combined Credit Agreements as follows:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

I.                                         Amendments to U.S. Credit Agreement.

 

A.                                   Section 7.4(h) of the U.S. Credit Agreement is hereby amended through the addition of a new sentence at the end of Section 7.4(h) to read as follows:

 



 

 “Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall be permitted to transfer all or substantially all of its Oil and Gas Properties located on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico and State waters of the States of Louisiana and Texas (collectively, the “Offshore Gulf Properties”) to its Unrestricted Subsidiary, Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (“FERI”), in connection with the spin-off and merger of FERI with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc.”

 

B.                                     Section 7.5(f) of the U.S. Credit Agreement is hereby amended through the insertion of the following text in the last line of such Section between the words “U.S.$50,000,000;” and the word “and”:

 

“; and provided further that, the foregoing restriction shall not apply to the transfer by Borrower of all or substantially all of its Offshore Gulf Properties to its Unrestricted Subsidiary, Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (“FERI”), in connection with the spin-off and merger of FERI with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc.”

 

C.                                     Section 7.5(g) of the U.S. Credit Agreement is hereby amended through the addition of the following sentence at the end of such Section:

 

“The foregoing restriction shall not apply to the transfer by Borrower of all or substantially all of its Offshore Gulf Properties to its Unrestricted Subsidiary, Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (“FERI”), in connection with the spin-off and merger of FERI with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc.”

 

D.                                    Section 7.8(b)(3) of the U.S. Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

“(3) 50% of the net cash proceeds received by Borrower from any sale of Equity Interests after October 1, 2000; provided, however, that this calculation shall not include any proceeds relating to the sale of Equity Interests in FERI (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing restriction, Borrower shall be permitted to make a one-time dividend to the holders of its Equity Interests in the form of Equity Interests in Borrower’s Unrestricted Subsidiary, Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (“FERI”), in connection with the spin-off and merger of FERI with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc.”

 

II.                                     Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall become effective as of October 19, 2005 when the Global Administrative Agent shall have received Counterparts hereof duly executed by the U.S. Borrower, the Global Administrative Agent, the Canadian Administrative Agent, and the Majority Lenders (or, in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, telegraphic, telex, or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by such party).

 

III.                                 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties.  To induce the Combined  Lenders, the Global Administrative Agent and the Canadian Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, the U.S. Borrower hereby reaffirms, as of the date hereof, the following:

 

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A.                                   The representations and warranties of each Loan Party (as such term is defined in the U.S. Credit Agreement and the Canadian Credit Agreement, collectively, the “Combined Loan Parties”) set forth in the Combined Loan Documents to which it is a party are true and correct on and as of the date hereof (or, if stated to have been made expressly as of an earlier date, were true and correct in all material respects as of such date).

 

B.                                     Each of the U.S. Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

C.                                     The execution, delivery and performance by U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers of this Amendment are within U.S. Borrower’s and the Canadian Borrowers’ corporate powers, and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.  This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers and, when duly executed and delivered by the other parties hereto, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

D.                                    The execution, delivery and performance by the U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers of this Amendment (i) do not require any Governmental Approval or third party approvals, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) will not violate any applicable Governmental Rule or the Organic Documents of U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers or any order of any Governmental Authority, (iii) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon U.S. Borrower or the Canadian Borrowers or either of their assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by U.S. Borrower or the Canadian Borrowers, and (iv) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of U.S. Borrower or the Canadian Borrowers.

 

E.                                      No Default under the Combined Loan Documents has occurred and is continuing and the U.S. Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Article VI of the U.S. Credit Agreement.

 

F.                                      No event or events have occurred which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

IV.                                Defined Terms.  Except as amended hereby, terms used herein when defined in the U.S. Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein unless the context otherwise requires.

 

V.                                    Reaffirmation of Combined Credit Agreements.  This Amendment shall be deemed to be an amendment to the Combined Credit

 

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Agreements, and the Combined Credit Agreements, as amended hereby, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in each and every respect.  All references to the Combined Credit Agreements herein and in any other document, instrument, agreement or writing shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Combined Credit Agreements as amended hereby.

 

VI.                                Governing Law.  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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

 

VIII.                        Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

IX.                                Headings.  Article and section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.

 

X.                                    Successors and Assigns.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

XI.                                No Oral Agreements.  THIS AMENDMENT, THE COMBINED CREDIT AGREEMENTS, AS AMENDED HEREBY, AND THE OTHER COMBINED LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Borrower, the Combined undersigned Lenders, the Global Administrative Agent, and the other “agents” under the Combined Credit Agreements have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

U.S. BORROWER

 

 

 

 

FOREST OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DAVID H. KEYTE

 

Name:

David H. Keyte

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CANADIAN BORROWER

 

 

 

 

CANADIAN FOREST OIL LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ CAROLINE M. MCCLURG

 

Name:

Caroline M. McClurg

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

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AGENTS AND COMBINED LENDERS

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank,
as Global Administrative Agent and as a
U.S. Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ROBERT C. MERTENSOTTO

 

 

Name:

Robert C. Mertensotto

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

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BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Co-Global
Syndication Agent and as a U.S. Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOSEPH F. SCOTT

 

Name:

Joseph F. Scott

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

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CITIBANK, N.A., as a Co-Global
Syndication Agent and as a U.S. Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ TODD J. MOGIL

 

Name:

Todd J. Mogil

 

Title:

Attorney-In-Fact

 

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BNP PARIBAS, as a Co-U.S.
Documentation Agent and as a U.S. Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DAVID DODD

 

Name:

David Dodd

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ BETSY JOCHER

 

Name:

Betsy Jocher

 

Title:

Vice President

 

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HARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC.,
as a Co-U.S. Documentation Agent and as a
U.S. Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JAMES V. DUCOTE

 

Name:

James V. Ducote

 

Title:

Vice President

 

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CREDIT SUISSE, Cayman Islands Branch (formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, acting through its Cayman Islands branch, as a Lender)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ VANESSA GOMEZ

 

Name:

Vanessa Gomez

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ NUPUR KUMAR

 

Name:

Nupur Kumar

 

Title:

Associate

 

S-7



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MATTHEW J. PURCHASE

 

Name:

Matthew J. Purchase

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

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THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a
Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ N. BELL

 

Name:

N. Bell

 

 

Title:

Sr. Manager

 

 

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FORTIS CAPITAL CORP., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DAVID MONTGOMERY

 

Name:

David Montgomery

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DARRELL HOLLEY

 

Name:

Darrell Holley

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

S-10



 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS,
as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MARCUS TARKINGTON

 

Name:

Marcus Tarkington

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ OMAYRA LAUCELLA

 

Name:

Omayra Laucella

 

Title:

Vice President

 

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BANK OF SCOTLAND, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ KAREN WEICH

 

Name:

Karen Weich

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

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ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ SCOTT DONALDSON

 

Name:

R. Scott Donaldson

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ TODD D. VAUBEL

 

Name:

Todd D. Vaubel

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

S-13



 

 

UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOSELIN FERNANDES

 

Name:

Joselin Fernandes

 

Title:

Associate Director
Banking Products
Services, US

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MARIA PINA

 

Name:

Maria Pina

 

Title:

Associate Director
Banking Products
Services, US

 

S-14



 

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC (as
successor in interest to Toronto Dominion (Texas),
Inc.), as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JIM BRIDWELL

 

Name:

Jim Bridwell

 

Title:

Authorized Agent

 

S-15



 

 

COMPASS BANK, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ PATRICK MCWILLIAMS

 

Name:

Patrick McWilliams

 

Title:

Asst. Vice President

 

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HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK, as a  Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ CORWIN DUPREE

 

Name:

Corwin Dupree

 

Title:

Vice President

 

S-17



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
TORONTO BRANCH
, formerly known as
JPMorgan Chase Bank, Toronto Branch, as
Canadian Administrative Agent and as a
Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ D. MCDONALD

 

Name:

Drew McDonald

 

Title:

Vice President

 

S-18



 

 

BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Co-Canadian
Documentation Agent and as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JAMES V. DUCOTE

 

Name:

James V. Ducote

 

Title:

Vice President

 

S-19



 

 

THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, as a
Co-Canadian Documentation Agent and as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ D. BRITO

 

Name:

Debbi Brito

 

Title:

Manager, Credit Compliance
and Administration—Canada

 

S-20



 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., CANADA
BRANCH
, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MEDINA SALES DE ANDRADE

 

Name:

Medina Sales de Andrade

 

Title:

Assistant Vice President

 

 

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CITIBANK, N.A., CANADIAN BRANCH, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ J. HASTINGS

 

Name:

John R. Hastings

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

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