PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT AMONG SANCHEZ ENERGY CORPORATION (SN), SN MIDSTREAM, LLC (SELLER) AND SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP (BUYER) DATED AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2016 (Carnero Processing)

EX-2.1 2 a16-19595_1ex2d1.htm EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

AMONG

 

SANCHEZ ENERGY CORPORATION

 

(“SN”),

 

SN MIDSTREAM, LLC

 

(“SELLER”)

 

AND

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

(“BUYER”)

 

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2016

 

(Carnero Processing)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I . DEFINED TERMS

1

 

Section 1.1

Defined Terms

1

 

 

ARTICLE II . PURCHASE AND SALE

8

 

Section 2.1

Purchase and Sale of Interests

8

 

Section 2.2

Consideration

8

 

 

ARTICLE III . REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SN PARTIES

8

 

Section 3.1

Organization of the SN Parties

9

 

Section 3.2

Authorization; Enforceability

9

 

Section 3.3

Ownership of Interests

9

 

Section 3.4

No Conflict; Consents

10

 

 

ARTICLE IV . REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY AND THE

 

 

INTERESTS

10

 

Section 4.1

Organization

10

 

Section 4.2

No Conflict; Consents

10

 

Section 4.3

Capitalization

10

 

Section 4.4

Absence of Litigation; Compliance with Law

11

 

Section 4.5

Bankruptcy

11

 

Section 4.6

Brokers and Finders

11

 

Section 4.7

Tax Matters

12

 

Section 4.8

Environmental Matters

12

 

Section 4.9

Material Contracts

12

 

Section 4.10

Employees

13

 

Section 4.11

Preferential Rights

13

 

Section 4.12

Permits

13

 

Section 4.13

Affiliate Transactions

13

 

Section 4.14

Projections and Budgets

13

 

 

ARTICLE V . REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

13

 

Section 5.1

Organization of Buyer

13

 

Section 5.2

Authorization; Enforceability

13

 

Section 5.3

No Conflict; Consents

14

 

Section 5.4

Absence of Litigation

14

 

Section 5.5

Brokers and Finders

14

 

Section 5.6

Buyer’s Independent Investigation

14

 

Section 5.7

Independent Evaluation

14

 

Section 5.8

Acquisition as Investment

15

 

Section 5.9

Permitted Transferee

15

 

 

ARTICLE VI . PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

15

 

Section 6.1

General; Financing

15

 

Section 6.2

Notices, Consents and Books and Records

15

 

Section 6.3

Operations of the Company

16

 

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Section 6.4

Reasonable Access

16

 

Section 6.5

Insurance

17

 

Section 6.6

LLC Agreement; Securities; Subsidiaries

17

 

 

ARTICLE VII . POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

17

 

Section 7.1

Further Assurances

17

 

Section 7.2

Tax Matters

17

 

Section 7.3

Cooperation for Litigation and Other Actions

18

 

Section 7.4

Retention of and Access to Books and Records

18

 

Section 7.5

Post-Closing Collection and Payment Matters

18

 

 

ARTICLE VIII . CONDITIONS TO CLOSE

19

 

Section 8.1

Condition to Close of Both Parties

19

 

Section 8.2

Conditions to Obligations of Buyer

19

 

Section 8.3

Conditions to Obligations of the SN Parties

20

 

 

ARTICLE IX . CLOSING

20

 

Section 9.1

Closing

20

 

Section 9.2

Deliveries by the SN Parties

20

 

Section 9.3

Deliveries by Buyer

21

 

Section 9.4

Deliveries to the Company

21

 

 

ARTICLE X . TERMINATION

21

 

Section 10.1

Termination of Agreement

21

 

Section 10.2

Effect of Termination

22

 

 

ARTICLE XI . INDEMNIFICATION

22

 

Section 11.1

Indemnification

22

 

Section 11.2

Defense of Third-Party Claims

22

 

Section 11.3

Direct Claims

24

 

Section 11.4

Limitations

24

 

Section 11.5

Tax Treatment of Payment of Indemnity Costs

25

 

Section 11.6

Express Negligence Rule

25

 

 

ARTICLE XII . MISCELLANEOUS

25

 

Section 12.1

WAIVERS AND DISCLAIMERS

25

 

Section 12.2

Expenses

26

 

Section 12.3

Severability

26

 

Section 12.4

Notice

26

 

Section 12.5

Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Enforcement

27

 

Section 12.6

Confidentiality

28

 

Section 12.7

Parties in Interest

29

 

Section 12.8

Assignment of Agreement

29

 

Section 12.9

Captions

29

 

Section 12.10

Counterparts

29

 

Section 12.11

Integration

29

 

Section 12.12

Amendment; Waiver

29

 

Section 12.13

Mitigation

30

 

Section 12.14

Privileged Information

30

 

ii



 

ARTICLE XIII . INTERPRETATION

30

 

Section 13.1

Interpretation

30

 

Section 13.2

References, Gender, Number

31

 

Schedules:

 

Schedule 1.1

Knowledge

Schedule 2.1

Capital Contributions

Schedule 3.4

No Conflicts; Consents — SN Parties

Schedule 4.2

No Conflicts; Consents — the Company

Schedule 4.9

Material Contracts

Schedule 4.11

Preferential Rights

Schedule 6.3

Operations of the Company

 

iii



 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into on October 6, 2016, by and among Sanchez Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“SN”), SN Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller” and, together with SN, the “SN Parties”), and Sanchez Production Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Buyer”). The above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this Agreement each as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

WHEREAS, SN is the parent of Seller.

 

WHEREAS, Seller owns 50% of the issued and outstanding membership interests (the “Interests”) in Carnero Processing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company is developing and constructing an expected 200,000 Mcfd cryogenic gas processing facility to be located in La Salle County, Texas.

 

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, the Interests, on and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, Buyer intends to partly finance the acquisition of the Interests with the proceeds of the issuance and sale of common units representing limited partnership interests in Buyer in an underwritten public offering intended to raise an amount at least equal to the Purchase Price (the “Offering”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS

 

Section 1.1                                    Defined Terms.  Unless the context expressly requires otherwise, the respective terms defined in this Section 1.1 shall, when used in this Agreement, have the respective meanings herein specified, with each such definition to be equally applicable both to the singular and the plural forms of the term so defined.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise.  For the purposes of this definition, “control” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings; provided, however, that (i) the Company is not an Affiliate of either Buyer or the SN Parties or their subsidiaries and (ii) Buyer and its subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the SN Parties or any of their subsidiaries.

 

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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Applicable Law” means any applicable statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, rule of law, decree, Permit, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or any provision or condition issued under any of the foregoing by, or any determination by any Governmental Authority having or asserting jurisdiction over the matter or matters in question, whether now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended (including all of the terms and provisions of the common law of such Governmental Authority), as interpreted and enforced at the time in question, including Environmental Law.

 

Assignment Document” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a).

 

Assumed Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of any kind whatsoever arising from or relating to the Company, whether known or unknown, liquidated or contingent, but only to the extent such obligations and liabilities arise on or after the Effective Date or  relate to or are otherwise attributable to the period commencing on the Effective Date.  The Assumed Obligations shall not include the Retained Obligations.

 

Books and Records” means all of the records and files of the Company and other records and files in control of or maintained by the SN Parties prior to the Closing primarily related to the Company or the ownership of the Interests (that, in the case of the Company at or prior to the Closing, the SN Parties have the Legal Right to provide to Buyer), including the minute books and other limited liability company records of the Company and any plans, drawings, instruction manuals, operating and technical data and records, whether computerized or hard copy, Tax files, books, records, Tax Returns and Tax work papers, supplier lists, surveys, engineering records, maintenance records and studies, environmental records, environmental reporting information, emission data, testing and sampling data and procedures, construction, inspection and operating records, and any and all information necessary to meet compliance obligations with respect to Applicable Law.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the State of Texas and that is not otherwise a federal holiday in the United States.

 

Buyer Indemnified Costs” means all Losses incurred or suffered by the Buyer Indemnified Parties as a result of, relating to or arising out of (i) any breach of any representation or warranty contained in Article III or Article IV made by the SN Parties as though such representation or warranty were made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that such representation and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been made as of such earlier date); (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made or to be performed by the SN Parties under this Agreement and (iii) the Retained Obligations.

 

Buyer Indemnified Parties” means Buyer, its Affiliates and, from and after the Closing, the Company, and each of their respective officers, members, managers, partners, directors, employees and representatives.

 

CG” means Carnero Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

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CG Gathering Agreement” means that certain Firm Gas Gathering Agreement, by and among SN, SN Catarina, LLC and the TPL Member, dated as of October 2, 2015, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

CG LLC Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CG, dated as of June 23, 2016, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time

 

Claim” means any existing or threatened future claim, demand, suit, action, investigation, proceeding, inquiry, condemnation, audit or cause of action of any kind or character (in each case, whether civil, criminal, investigative or administrative) before any court or other Governmental Authority or any arbitration proceeding, known or unknown, under any theory, including those based on theories of contract, tort, statutory liability, strict liability, employer liability, premises liability, products liability, breach of warranty or malpractice.

 

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Confidential Information” means any proprietary or confidential information that is competitively sensitive material or otherwise of value to a Party (including, with respect to the SN Parties prior to the Closing Date and Buyer after the Closing Date, the Company) or its Affiliates and not generally known to the public, including trade secrets, scientific or technical information, design, invention, process, procedure, formula, improvements, product planning information, marketing strategies, financial information, information regarding operations, consumer and/or customer relationships, consumer and/or customer identities and profiles, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of a Party (including, with respect to the SN Parties prior to the Closing Date and Buyer after the Closing Date, the Company) or its Affiliates and the consumers, customers, clients and suppliers of any of the foregoing. Confidential Information includes such information as may be contained in or embodied by documents, substances, engineering and laboratory notebooks, reports, data, specifications, computer source code and object code, flow charts, databases, drawings, pilot plants or demonstration or operating facilities, diagrams, specifications, bills of material, equipment, prototypes and models, and any other tangible manifestation (including data in computer or other digital format) of the foregoing; provided, however, that Confidential Information does not include information that a receiving Party can show (i) has been published or has otherwise become available to the general public as part of the public domain without breach of this Agreement; (ii) has been furnished or made known to the receiving Party without any obligation to keep it confidential by a third party under circumstances which are not known to the receiving Party to involve a breach of the third party’s obligations to a Party or its Affiliates; (iii) was developed independently of information furnished or made available to the receiving Party as contemplated under this Agreement; or (iv) has been published or otherwise disclosed as required by Applicable Law.  From and after the Closing Date, Confidential Information disclosed by the SN Parties to Buyer that relates to the Company shall become, and be treated as, Confidential Information of Buyer disclosed to the SN Parties

 

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(other than Books and Records to the extent utilized or intended to be utilized for purposes specified in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 7.4(a)).

 

Consents” means all notices to, authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, or registrations, declarations or filings with, or expiration of waiting periods imposed by, any Governmental Authority, and any notices to, consents or approvals of any other third party.

 

Contract” means any written contract, agreement, indenture, instrument, note, bond, loan, lease, easement, mortgage, franchise, license agreement, purchase order, binding bid or offer, binding term sheet or letter of intent or memorandum, commitment, letter of credit or any other legally binding arrangement, including any amendments or modifications thereof and waivers relating thereto.

 

Effective Date” means 12:01 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the Closing Date.

 

Encumbrance” means any mortgage, pledge, charge, hypothecation, easement, right of purchase, security interest, deed of trust, conditional sales agreement, encumbrance, interest, option, lien, right of first refusal, right of way, defect in title, encroachments or other restriction, whether or not imposed by operation of Applicable Law, any voting trust or voting agreement, stockholder agreement or proxy.

 

Environmental Laws” means all Applicable Laws relating to health, safety, the protection of the environment, natural resources, or threatened or endangered species, pollution, or its impacts on human health, including those Applicable Laws relating to the storage, handling and use of chemicals and other Hazardous Substances and those relating to the generation, processing, treatment, storage, transportation, disposal or other management thereof.

 

Environmental Permit” means all Permits of Governmental Authorities required by Environmental Laws for the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(c).

 

Fundamental Representations” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(a).

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently applied.

 

General Partner” means Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, tribal, or foreign government, or any court of competent jurisdiction, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, or other governmental authority that exercises jurisdiction over Buyer, the SN Parties or the Company, as applicable.

 

Hazardous Substance” means any chemicals, constituents, fractions, derivatives, compounds or other substances that are defined or regulated as pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, radioactive materials or radioactive

 

4



 

wastes or that may form the basis of liability or obligations under any Environmental Laws.  Hazardous Substances shall also expressly include petroleum substances (and any components, fractions or derivatives thereof) and exploration and production wastes.

 

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, natural gas liquids, casinghead gas, coal bed methane, condensate and other gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons or any combination thereof.

 

Indemnified Costs” means Buyer Indemnified Costs and Seller Indemnified Costs, as applicable.

 

Indemnified Party” means Buyer Indemnified Parties and Seller Indemnified Parties.

 

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

 

Indemnity Cap” means an amount equal to 20% of the Purchase Price.

 

Indemnity Deductible” means an amount equal to 1% of the Purchase Price.

 

Individual Indemnity Threshold” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(b).

 

Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Knowledge” means, (i) as to the SN Parties, the actual knowledge of those Persons listed in Schedule 1.1 as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) as to Buyer, the actual knowledge of Charles Ward, Patricio Sanchez and Gerald Willinger.

 

Legal Right” means, to the extent arising from, or in any way related to the Company (including the assets and operations associated with the Company), the legal authority and right (without risk of liability, criminal, civil or otherwise), including through the exercise of voting, managerial or other similar authority or right, if any; provided, however, that the Legal Right shall be deemed not to exist with respect to any contemplated conduct unless the SN Parties reasonably determine that such conduct would not constitute a violation, termination or breach of, or require any payment under, or permit any termination under, any: contract or agreement; arrangement; Applicable Law; fiduciary, quasi-fiduciary or similar duty; or any other obligation.

 

LLC Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of October 5, 2016, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

 

Losses” means any and all losses, damages, liabilities, claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees) of any and every kind or character.

 

Material Contracts” means the following Contracts to which the SN Parties, the Company or any of their Affiliates is a party and which relate to the Interests or the “Company Business” (as defined in the LLC Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any (i) Contracts relating to the SO II Plant (as defined in the LLC Agreement), (ii) Contracts relating to CG, including the CG LLC Agreement and the CG

 

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Gathering Agreement and (iii) any Contracts to which the TPL Group (as defined in the LLC Agreement) is a party that the SN Parties do not have Knowledge of:

 

(a)                                 the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.9;

 

(b)                                 a non-competition agreement or any agreement that purports to restrict, limit or prohibit the Company from engaging in any line of business or the manner in which, or the locations at which the Company conducts business;

 

(c)                                  a Contract for the gathering, treatment, processing, storage, or transportation of Hydrocarbons which is not cancellable without penalty upon 30 or less days’ notice;

 

(d)                                 a Contract for the construction and installation or rental of equipment, fixtures, or facilities with guaranteed production throughput requirements or demand charges or which cannot be terminated without penalty on no more than 30 days’ notice;

 

(e)                                  an option, swap, hedge, collar or other derivative contract, including any master agreement and confirmation thereunder;

 

(f)                                   a Contract that involves performance of services or delivery of goods or materials (other than Hydrocarbons) by or to Seller or the Company of an amount or value in excess of $1,000,000 determined on an annual basis;

 

(g)                                  a Contract that involves expenditures or receipts of Seller or the Company in excess of $1,000,000 determined on an annual basis; or

 

(h)                                 a material software license or other license agreement related to intellectual property involving expenditures of Seller or the Company in excess of $100,000 determined on an annual basis.

 

New Seller Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

 

Offering” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Organizational Documents” means any charter, certificate of incorporation, certificate or articles of formation, articles of association, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, bylaws, operating agreement or similar formation or governing documents and instruments.

 

Outside Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(d).

 

Party” and “Parties” have the meanings set forth in the Preamble.

 

Permits” means all permits, licenses, approvals and Consents from appropriate Governmental Authorities necessary for the Company to construct, own and operate its assets and business.

 

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Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Preferential Rights” means any right or agreement that enables any Person to purchase or acquire any Interests or any interest therein or portion thereof as a result of or in connection with (i) the sale, assignment or other transfer of any Interest or any interest therein or portion thereof or (ii) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

Receiving Party Personnel” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.6(d).

 

Retained Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of any kind whatsoever arising from or relating to the Company, whether known or unknown, liquidated or contingent, but only to the extent such obligations and liabilities arose prior to the Effective Date or relate to or are otherwise attributable to the period prior to the Effective Date.  The Retained Obligations shall not include the Assumed Obligations.

 

Securities Act” mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Seller Indemnified Costs” means all Losses incurred or suffered by the Seller Indemnified Parties as a result of, relating to or arising out of, (i) any breach of any representation or warranty contained in Article V made by Buyer as though such representation or warranty was made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that such representation and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been made as of such earlier date); (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made or to be performed by Buyer under this Agreement; and (iii) the Assumed Obligations.

 

Seller Indemnified Parties” means the SN Parties, each of their respective Affiliates and, prior to the Closing, the Company, and each of their respective officers, members, managers, partners, directors, employees and representatives.

 

SN” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

SN Credit Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2014 among SN, as borrower, SN Palmetto, LLC (f/k/a SEP Holdings III, LLC), SN Marquis LLC, SN Cotulla Assets, LLC, SN Operating, LLC, SN TMS, LLC and SN Catarina, LLC, as loan parties, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, Capital One, National Association, as syndication agent, Compass Bank and SunTrust Bank as co-documentation agents, RBC Capital Markets as sole lead arranger and sole book runner, and the lenders party thereto, as may be amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

SN Indentures” means (i) that certain Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2013 (as amended or supplemented from time to time), among SN, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and (ii) that certain Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2014 (as

 

7



 

amended or supplemented from time to time), among SN, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

SN Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign income tax, ad valorem tax, excise tax, sales tax, use tax, franchise tax, real or personal property tax, transfer tax, gross receipts tax or other tax, assessment, duty, fee, levy or other governmental charge, together with and including, any and all interest, fines, penalties, assessments, and additions to Tax resulting from, relating to, or incurred in connection with any of those or any contest or dispute thereof.

 

Tax Authority” means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the payment or reporting of any Tax.

 

Tax Return” means any report, statement, form, return or other document or information required to be supplied to a Tax Authority in connection with Taxes.

 

third-party action” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

 

TPL Member” has the meaning therefor set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Transaction Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).

 

ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE

 

Section 2.1                                    Purchase and Sale of Interests.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer and convey to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Seller, at the Closing, the Interests. Seller shall transfer the Interests to Buyer by delivery of the Assignment Document at Closing.

 

Section 2.2                                    Consideration.  In consideration for the purchase of the Interests, Buyer agrees to pay to Seller at Closing an amount equal to (i) $80,000,000, minus (ii) the amount of all “Capital Contributions” (as defined in the LLC Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) required to be made by Buyer to the Company on or after the Closing Date in respect of the Plant (as defined in the LLC Agreement) through the In-Service Date (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and which are Assumed Obligations and set forth on Schedule 2.1 (collectively, the “Purchase Price”).  Schedule 2.1 sets forth a schedule of such Capital Contributions (y) through the date of this Agreement and (z) an estimate of such additional Capital Contributions until the In-Service Date.

 

ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE SN PARTIES

 

The SN Parties hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing:

 

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Section 3.1                                    Organization of the SN Parties.  Seller is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own the Interests.  Seller is duly qualified to do business, and in good standing, in the State of Texas. SN is a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to do business, and in good standing, in each state where failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 3.2                                    Authorization; Enforceability.  Each of the SN Parties has full capacity, power, and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized on the part of each of the SN Parties, and no other proceeding on the part of either of the SN Parties is necessary to authorize this Agreement or performance of the transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the SN Parties (and all documents required hereunder to be executed and delivered by the SN Parties at the Closing will be duly executed and delivered by the SN Parties), and this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing each such document will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of each of the SN Parties, enforceable against each of the SN Parties in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

 

Section 3.3                                    Ownership of Interests.

 

(a)                                 Seller holds of record and owns beneficially the Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than (i) restrictions under federal and state securities laws and in the Organizational Documents of the Company and (ii) prior to the Closing, the pledge of the Interests pursuant to the Pledge Agreement (as defined on Schedule 4.9) and Section 3.13 of the LLC Agreement).

 

(b)                                 Except as set forth in Section 3.3(a), neither of the SN Parties is a party to any option, warrant, purchase right or other contract or commitment (other than this Agreement or the Organizational Documents of the Company and, until the Closing, the Pledge Agreement) that could require Seller to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Interests, and other than this Agreement, the Interests are not subject to any voting agreement or other contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (other than the Organizational Documents of the Company) restricting or otherwise relating to the voting, dividend rights, or disposition of the Interests.

 

(c)                                  Upon the occurrence of the Closing, the delivery of the Interests to Buyer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will transfer good and marketable title to the Interests free and clear of any Encumbrance (but subject to applicable restrictions on transferability under federal and state securities laws and in the Organizational Documents of the Company).

 

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(d)                                 Upon the occurrence of the Closing, none of the Interests will be subject in any respect to any indebtedness (other than customary bonds posted with Governmental Authorities), including the terms and conditions of the documents and instruments governing the indebtedness of the SN Parties or their Affiliates, including the SN Credit Agreement, the SN Indentures or any related security agreements, guarantees, documents and instruments.

 

Section 3.4                                    No Conflict; Consents.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the SN Parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and shall not:

 

(a)                                 violate any Applicable Law applicable to either of the SN Parties or, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties with respect to either of the SN Parties or their Affiliates, require any material filing with, consent, approval, or authorization of or notice to, any Person except as required by the Organizational Documents of the Company; or

 

(b)                                 violate any Organizational Document of either of the SN Parties.

 

ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY AND THE INTERESTS

 

The SN Parties hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Buyer that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing:

 

Section 4.1                                    Organization.  The Company is a limited liability company, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite organizational power and authority to own or lease its assets and conduct its business as currently conducted.  The Company is duly qualified to do business, and in good standing, in the State of Texas.

 

Section 4.2                                    No Conflict; Consents.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the SN Parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and shall not:

 

(a)                                 violate any Applicable Law applicable to the Company or, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties with respect to the Company, require any material filing with, Permit, consent, approval, or authorization of or notice to, any Person except as required by the Organizational Documents of the Company;

 

(b)                                 violate any Organizational Document of the Company; or

 

(c)                                  to the Knowledge of the SN Parties (i) breach any Material Contract (other than any Organizational Documents of the Company); (ii) result in the termination of or the right of any party to terminate any Material Contract; (iii) result in the creation of any Encumbrance under any Material Contract; or (iv) constitute an event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach, termination or creation of an Encumbrance.

 

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Section 4.3                                    Capitalization.

 

(a)                                 Interests.  The Interests (i) are duly authorized, validly issued and, except as contemplated by the Organizational Documents of the Company, fully paid and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act); (ii) are free of preemptive rights; (iii) were issued in accordance with the registration or qualification provisions of the Securities Act and any relevant state securities laws or pursuant to valid exemptions therefrom; and (iv) are uncertificated.  Seller has timely paid each Capital Call (as defined in the LLC Agreement) that it has received from the Company.

 

(b)                                 No Other Rights.  Except as set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Company (including with respect to the TPL Member), to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, as of the date hereof there are no (i) outstanding securities of the Company other than the Interests and the membership interests of the Company owned by the TPL Member, and no outstanding securities which are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, membership interests, equity interests or other securities of the Company; (ii) authorized or outstanding options, warrants, stock or other rights to purchase or acquire from the Company, or obligations of the Company to issue, any equity interests, stock or other securities, including securities convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests, stock or other securities of the Company; (iii) preemptive rights related to any membership interests, equity interests, stock or other securities of the Company; (iv) contractual arrangements giving any Person a right to receive any benefits or rights similar to the rights enjoyed by or accruing to the holders of any equity or other interest in the Company; or (v) authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness that entitles the holders to vote (or convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into securities that entitle the holders to vote) with holders of units or interests of the Company on any matter.

 

(c)                                  Subsidiaries.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, as of the date hereof the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or equity interests of any other Person.

 

Section 4.4                                    Absence of Litigation; Compliance with Law.  Except with respect to any Claims under any Environmental Laws which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.8, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, there is no material Claim pending or threatened against the Company or the Interests that, if adversely determined, would be material to the Interests.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the operations and business of the Company have been conducted by the Company in substantial compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws except with respect to Environmental Laws, which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.8.

 

Section 4.5                                    Bankruptcy.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, there are no bankruptcy, reorganization or rearrangement proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Applicable Laws with respect to creditors pending against, being contemplated by, or threatened, against the Company.

 

Section 4.6                                    Brokers and Finders.  No investment banker, broker, finder, financial advisor or other intermediary has been (directly or indirectly) retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the SN Parties or their Affiliates who is entitled to receive from Buyer any fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 4.7                                    Tax Matters

 

(a)                                 All Tax Returns required to be filed with respect to the Interests and, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, by the Company have been duly filed on a timely basis (taking into account all extensions of due dates), and such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete.

 

(b)                                 All Taxes with respect to the Interests and, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, all Taxes owed by the Company which are or have become due have been timely paid in full.

 

(c)                                  There are no Encumbrances for Taxes on the Interests or, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the Company’s assets, other than Taxes not yet due and payable.

 

(d)                                 To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, there is not in force any extension of time with respect to the due date for the filing of any Tax Return of or with respect to the Company or the Company’s assets nor is there any outstanding agreement or waiver by or with respect to the Company or the Company’s assets extending the period for assessment or collection of any Tax.

 

(e)                                  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, there is no pending or threatened action, audit, required for ruling, proceeding or investigation for assessment or collection of Tax and no Tax assessment, deficiency or adjustment has been asserted or proposed in writing with respect to the Company or the Company’s assets that has not been resolved.

 

(f)                                   To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the Company is not a party to any Tax allocation or Tax sharing agreement that will be binding on such entity after Closing.

 

(g)                                  Since the date of its formation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company has been validly classified as a partnership and has in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Section 4.8                                    Environmental Matters.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the Company (i) is in substantial compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) is not the subject of any outstanding administrative or judicial order, judgment, agreement or arbitration award from any Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law relating to the Company or its assets and requiring remediation or the payment of a fine or penalty; and (iii) is not subject to any material pending Claims under any Environmental Laws with respect to which the SN Parties or the Company have been notified in writing by or on behalf of a plaintiff or claimant.

 

Section 4.9                                    Material Contracts.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, all Material Contracts in effect as of the date hereof are specified in the definition thereof or otherwise listed on Schedule 4.9.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, each Material Contract is in full force and effect and represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.  Neither the SN Parties nor, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the Company and, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, no other party, is in

 

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breach of any Material Contract.  Neither the SN Parties nor, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties,  the Company has received or delivered notice of a default or breach with respect to any Material Contract.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the SN Parties have made available to Buyer or its representatives correct and complete copies of each Material Contract and all amendments and other modifications thereto.

 

Section 4.10                             Employees.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, except as contemplated by the Services and Secondment Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2016, between the TPL Member and the Company, the Company does not have any employees.

 

Section 4.11                             Preferential Rights.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 or the Organizational Documents of the Company, to the Knowledge of the SN Parties, there are no Preferential Rights attributable to or with respect to any part of the Interests.

 

Section 4.12                             Permits.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, the Company has maintained all material Permits necessary for it to construct the facilities constructed or being constructed by it, as the case may be.  To the Knowledge of the SN Parties, no event has occurred (including the execution and delivery of this Agreement) which permits, or after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any Permit or the imposition of any (i) restrictions of such a nature as may limit any of the operations of the Company as historically conducted by it or (ii) material fines, costs or penalties under any Permit.

 

Section 4.13                             Affiliate Transactions.  Other than any such Contracts identified as Material Contracts, there are no Contracts between Seller or an Affiliate of Seller, on the one hand, and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, that will continue to be binding upon or directly affect the Company from and after the Closing.

 

Section 4.14                             Projections and Budgets.The projections and budgets provided to Buyer by the SN Parties and their Affiliates as part of Buyer’s review of the Company in connection with this Agreement have a reasonable basis, were prepared in good faith and are consistent with the expectations of the management of the SN Parties and their Affiliates.

 

ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the SN Parties that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing:

 

Section 5.1                                    Organization of Buyer.  Buyer is a limited partnership, duly formed and validly existing and in good standing under the Applicable Laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 5.2                                    Authorization; Enforceability.  Buyer has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by Buyer, and no other limited partnership proceeding on the part of Buyer is necessary to authorize this Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer

 

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(and all documents required hereunder to be executed and delivered by Buyer at the Closing will be duly executed and delivered by Buyer), and this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing each such document will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

 

Section 5.3                                    No Conflict; Consents.  Except as would not reasonably be expected to prevent, impede, or materially delay the ability of Buyer to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Buyer do not and shall not:

 

(a)                                 violate any Applicable Law applicable to Buyer or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or, notice to, any Governmental Authority;

 

(b)                                 violate any Organizational Document of Buyer; or

 

(c)                                  to the Knowledge of Buyer, require any filing with, or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, any Person except as required by the Organizational Documents of the Company.

 

Section 5.4                                    Absence of Litigation.  There is no Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of Buyer to perform its obligations and agreements under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 5.5                                    Brokers and Finders.  No investment banker, broker, finder, financial advisor or other intermediary has been (directly or indirectly) retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates who is entitled to receive from Seller any fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 5.6                                    Buyer’s Independent Investigation.  Buyer has undertaken an independent investigation and verification of the business, operations and financial condition of the Company.  Except for the representations and warranties made by the SN Parties in Article III and Article IV, Buyer acknowledges that there are no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, operations, business or prospects of the Company.

 

Section 5.7                                    Independent Evaluation.  Buyer is sophisticated in the evaluation, purchase, ownership and operation of midstream properties and related facilities.  Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the SN Parties have not made any representations or warranties as to the Company except as expressly and specifically provided in Article III and Article IV and that Buyer may not rely on any other representations or warranties made by the SN Parties or their representatives or, except as expressly provided in Article III and Article IV, on any of the SN Parties’ estimates with respect to the value of the Company or any projections as to future events or other analyses or forward looking statements.  In making its decision to enter into this

 

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Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein, subject to the express representations of the SN Parties set forth in this Agreement, Buyer (i) has relied or shall rely solely on its own independent investigation and evaluation of the Company and the express provisions of this Agreement and (ii) has satisfied or shall satisfy itself as to the environmental and physical condition of and contractual arrangements affecting the Company.

 

Section 5.8                                    Acquisition as Investment.  Buyer (i) is acquiring the Interests for its own account and not with a view to distribution in violation of applicable securities laws; (ii) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be able to evaluate the merits and risk of an investment in the Interests and is able financially to bear the risks thereof; (iii) understands that the Interests will, upon purchase, be characterized as “restricted securities” under state and federal securities Laws and that under such Laws the Interests may be resold without registration under such Laws only in certain limited circumstances; and (iv) is an “accredited investor” as defined under Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Section 5.9                                    Permitted Transferee. Buyer has not constructed, initially participated in a facility or agreed to construct or initially participate in a facility that would have constituted an Additional Plant (as defined in the LLC Agreement) if the TPL Member or the Seller had constructed or initially participated in such facility.

 

ARTICLE VI.
PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

 

Section 6.1                                    General; Financing.  Until the Closing, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all action and to do all things necessary, proper or advisable in order to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including satisfying the SN Parties’ conditions to Closing in Section 8.3 and obtaining the Financing as promptly as practicable.  Until the Closing, the SN Parties shall (and, until the Closing, to the extent they have the Legal Right, shall cause the Company to) use commercially reasonable efforts to take all action and to do all things necessary, proper or advisable in order to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including satisfying Buyer’s conditions to Closing in Section 8.2.  To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, Buyer shall keep Seller reasonably informed with respect to all material activity concerning the status of the Financing and shall give Seller prompt notice of any material adverse change with respect to the Financing.  Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer agrees to notify Seller promptly, and in any event within two Business Days, if at any time for any reason Buyer no longer believes in good faith that it will be able to obtain all or any portion of the Financing.

 

Section 6.2                                    Notices, Consents and Books and Records.

 

(a)                                 Until the Closing, the SN Parties shall (and, until the Closing, to the extent they have the Legal Right, shall cause the Company to) give any notices to, make any filings with, and use their commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain any authorizations, Consents and approvals of Governmental Authorities and third parties that are required in connection with the matters referred to in Section 3.4 and Section 4.2 including the corresponding Schedules.  Until the Closing, each of Buyer and the SN Parties shall give the other Party prompt notice of the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of which would

 

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be reasonably likely to (i) cause a breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of such Party under this Agreement or (ii) cause any of the conditions of the other Party to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement not to be satisfied.  If Buyer has a right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b), without taking into consideration any new information provided by the SN Parties pursuant to this Section 6.2(a) (the “New Seller Information”) for purposes of qualifying any of the representations and warranties of the SN Parties set forth in this Agreement, but Buyer elects to proceed with the Closing, then each of the applicable Schedules shall be deemed to have been amended to include the New Seller Information, the New Seller Information shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer and Buyer shall not be entitled to make a Claim thereon under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Until the Closing, the SN Parties agree to (and, until the Closing, to the extent they have the Legal Right, shall cause the Company to) provide access to its Books and Records to allow Buyer and Buyer’s outside auditing firm to prepare (at Buyer’s expense) any information required to be filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Buyer pursuant to Applicable Laws regarding securities.

 

Section 6.3                                    Operations of the Company.  Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as contemplated by Schedule 6.3, until the Closing, to the extent they have the Legal Right, the SN Parties will cause the Company and (to the extent related to the Company) Affiliates of the SN Parties not to engage in any practice, take any action or enter into any transaction outside the ordinary course of business without the prior written consent of Buyer except in case of emergency or as may otherwise be required to prevent injury or damage to Persons, property or the environment.

 

Section 6.4                                    Reasonable Access.  Unless prohibited by Applicable Law, to the extent the SN Parties have the Legal Right, the SN Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause, until the Closing, the Company to permit Buyer and representatives of Buyer to have reasonable access at reasonable times, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the SN Parties or the Company and their Affiliates, to all premises, properties, personnel, books, records (including Tax records), contracts and documents of or pertaining to the Company, subject to Section 7.4(b) and Section 12.14.  Buyer shall abide by the SN Parties’ and any lessors’ safety rules, regulations and operating policies while conducting its due diligence evaluation of the Company including any environmental or other inspection or assessment of the Company.  Buyer does hereby RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY and HOLD HARMLESS the Seller Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Claims arising out of, resulting from or relating to the acts or omissions of Buyer or any of the Buyer Indemnified Parties in connection with any field visit, environmental assessment or other due diligence activity conducted by Buyer or any of its representatives with respect to the Company conducted prior to Closing.  SUCH OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER SHALL APPLY EVEN IF SUCH CLAIMS ARISE OUT OF OR RESULT FROM THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OF THE SELLER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE AFOREMENTIONED OBLIGATIONS SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY CLAIM TO THE EXTENT ACTUALLY RESULTING ON ACCOUNT OF THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THE SELLER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES.

 

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Section 6.5                                    Insurance.  To the extent the SN Parties have the Legal Right, the SN Parties shall cause the Company’s insurance policies of the Company to remain in force and effect or to be renewed and maintained in full force and effect through (but not after) the Closing Date.

 

Section 6.6                                    LLC Agreement; Securities; Subsidiaries. Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, until the Closing, the SN Parties, to the extent they have the Legal Right, will not cause, or allow to be caused, except with the prior written consent of  Buyer, (i) the amendment, amendment and restatement, modification or supplement of the LLC Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, (ii) the issuance or creation of any securities or other rights contemplated by Section 4.3(b) not set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Company as of the date hereof, and (iii) the acquisition of any capital stock or equity interest of any other Person by the Company after the date hereof.

 

ARTICLE VII.
POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

 

Section 7.1                                    Further Assurances.  After the Closing, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take such further actions, including obtaining or transferring to the other Party all necessary Permits, Consents, orders and Contracts and executing and causing its Affiliates to execute such further documents, as may be necessary or reasonably requested by another Party in order to effectuate the intent of this Agreement and to provide such other Party with the intended benefits of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.2                                    Tax Matters.

 

(a)                                 Taxes.  The Parties agree that the income related to the Interests for the period up to and including the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal income Tax Return of Seller and that Seller shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income.  The Parties further agree that the income related to the Interests for the period after the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal income Tax Return of Buyer and that the partners of Buyer shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income.

 

(b)                                 Transaction Taxes.  All sales, use, transfer, filing, recordation, registration and similar Taxes arising from or associated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than Taxes based on income (“Transaction Taxes”), shall be borne 50% by Seller and 50% by Buyer.  To the extent under Applicable Law the transferee is responsible for filing Tax Returns in respect of Transaction Taxes, Buyer shall prepare and file all such Tax Returns.  The Parties shall provide such certificates and other information and otherwise cooperate to the extent reasonably required to minimize Transaction Taxes.  The Party that is not responsible under Applicable Law for paying the Transaction Taxes shall pay its share of the Transaction Taxes to the responsible Party prior to the due date of such Taxes.

 

(c)                                  Cooperation on Tax Matters.  Following the Closing Date, the Parties shall cooperate fully with each other and shall make available to the other, as reasonably requested and at the expense of the requesting Party, and to any Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax, all information, records or documents relating to Tax liabilities or

 

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potential Tax liabilities of the Company for all periods at or prior to the Effective Date and any information which may be relevant to determining the amount payable hereunder, and shall preserve all such information, records and documents at least until the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations or extensions thereof.

 

Section 7.3                                    Cooperation for Litigation and Other Actions.  Each Party shall cooperate reasonably with each other Party, at the requesting Party’s expense (but including only out-of-pocket expenses to unaffiliated third parties, photocopying and delivery costs and not the costs incurred by any Party for the wages or other benefits paid to its officers, directors or employees), in furnishing reasonably available information, testimony and other assistance in connection with any Claims or other disputes involving any of the Parties (other than in connection with Claims or disputes between the Parties).

 

Section 7.4                                    Retention of and Access to Books and Records.

 

(a)                                 Buyer agrees to afford the SN Parties and their Affiliates and their respective accountants, counsel and other designated individuals, during normal business hours, upon reasonable request, at a mutually agreeable time, full access to and the right to make copies of the Books and Records at no cost to the SN Parties or their Affiliates (other than for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses); provided that such access will not be construed to require the disclosure of Books and Records that would cause the waiver of any attorney-client, work product or like privilege; provided, further, that in the event of any litigation, nothing herein shall limit any Party’s rights of discovery under Applicable Law. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentences, Buyer agrees to provide SN Parties and their Affiliates reasonable access to and the right to make copies of the Books and Records after the Closing for the purposes of assisting SN Parties and their Affiliates (i) in complying with the SN Parties’ obligations under this Agreement, Applicable Laws (including securities laws) or applicable stock exchange requirements; (ii) in preparing Tax Returns; (iii) in responding to or disputing any tax audit; (iv) in asserting, defending or otherwise dealing with any Claim or dispute, known or unknown, under this Agreement; and (v) in asserting, defending or otherwise dealing with any third-party Claim or dispute by or against SN Parties and their Affiliates relating to the Company.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, with respect to any Books and Records the transfer or other disclosure of which to Buyer would waive (or would reasonably risk the waiver of) any attorney/client, work product, tax practitioner, audit or other privilege relating to the Retained Obligations, the SN Parties shall not be required to transfer such Books and Records (or any copies thereof) to Buyer until the appropriate Parties enter into a mutually-agreed joint defense agreement to allow for the sharing of common defense privileged materials.

 

Section 7.5                                    Post-Closing Collection and Payment Matters.

 

(a)                                 If the transfer of any of the Interests pursuant hereto is not effective against the Company as of the Effective Date, then (i) the Parties shall nevertheless proceed to Closing and such effectiveness shall not be a condition to Closing, (ii) Seller, to the extent it has the Legal Right, shall provide Buyer with the economic benefits and risks thereof, and Buyer

 

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hereby assumes such risks at and after the Effective Date (including the Assumed Obligations and the Seller Indemnified Costs), and (iii) Seller shall, at the request and expense of Buyer, until the transfer of Interests is effective against the Company, enforce in a reasonable manner as directed by Buyer, any and all rights of Seller under the Interests.

 

(b)                                 From time to time after the Closing, as promptly as practical (but not less than once each calendar month), the Parties shall settle any then outstanding obligations under this Section 7.5, including the first Party reimbursing the other Party for benefits received by the first Party that should accrue to the other Party (such as the first Party’s receipt of a distribution that the other Party was entitled to or the other Party’s payment of a capital contribution that was an obligation of the first Party).

 

ARTICLE VIII.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSE

 

Section 8.1                                    Condition to Close of Both Parties.  The respective obligations of Buyer and the SN Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 there must not be any pending or threatened injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge in effect preventing consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any suit or action pending or threatened by a Governmental Authority to enjoin the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

 

(b)                                 all consents set forth on Schedule 3.4 shall have been obtained in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties.

 

Section 8.2                                    Conditions to Obligations of Buyer.  The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 the representations and warranties of the SN Parties contained in Article III and Article IV must be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing (except for those which refer to another specific date, which must be true and correct as of such date);

 

(b)                                 the SN Parties must have performed and complied in all material respects with each of their covenants hereunder through the Closing;

 

(c)                                  Buyer shall have closed the Offering or shall have obtained other financing (collectively, “Financing”) on such other terms, in the case of a Financing other than the Offering, as it deems reasonably acceptable in order to pay the Purchase Price; and

 

(d)                                 the SN Parties must have timely delivered all items required to be delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 9.2.

 

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Buyer may waive any condition specified in this Section 8.2 if it executes and delivers to the SN Parties a writing so stating at or before the Closing.

 

Section 8.3                                    Conditions to Obligations of the SN Parties.  The obligation of the SN Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in Article V must be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing;

 

(b)                                 Buyer must have performed and complied in all material respects with each of its covenants hereunder through the Closing;

 

(c)                                  Buyer must have timely delivered all items required to be delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 9.3; and

 

(d)                                 that certain Guaranty dated October 2, 2015 by SN in favor of the Company shall have been released.

 

The SN Parties may waive any condition specified in this Section 8.3 if either SN or Seller executes and delivers to Buyer a writing so stating at or before the Closing.

 

ARTICLE IX.
CLOSING

 

Section 9.1                                    Closing.  The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Seller, 1000 Main Street, Suite 3000, Houston, Texas 77002 within five days after the conditions set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by the Parties (the “Closing Date”), and the Closing is deemed to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

Section 9.2                                    Deliveries by the SN Parties.  At the Closing, the SN Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following:

 

(a)                                 a counterpart of the Assignment of Membership Interests and Adoption Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to the LLC Agreement (the “Assignment Document”), duly executed by Seller;

 

(b)                                 an executed statement described in Treasury Regulation § 1.1445-2(b)(2) certifying that Seller (or such affiliate of Seller as required under Treasury Regulations § 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iii) to the extent that Seller is disregarded for federal income tax purposes) is not a foreign person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(c)                                  the Books and Records that are in the possession or control of the SN Parties or their Affiliates, subject to Section 7.4(b) and Section 12.14; and

 

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(d)                                 a certificate of an executive officer of SN, dated as of the Closing Date, stating that the SN Parties are in compliance with Section 8.2(a) and Section 8.2(b).

 

Section 9.3                                    Deliveries by Buyer.  At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Seller the following:

 

(a)                                 the Purchase Price by wire transfer to one or more accounts designated in writing by Seller no later than two Business Days prior to Closing;

 

(b)                                 a counterpart of the Assignment Document, duly executed by Buyer; and

 

(c)                                  a certificate of an executive officer of Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, stating that Buyer is in compliance with Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b).

 

Section 9.4                                    Deliveries to the Company.  On the day of Closing, Seller shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Company the Assignment Document pursuant to Section 3.5 and Section 3.8 of the LLC Agreement.

 

ARTICLE X.
TERMINATION

 

Section 10.1                             Termination of Agreement.  The Parties may terminate this Agreement, as provided below:

 

(a)                                 Buyer and the SN Parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual written consent at any time before the Closing;

 

(b)                                 by Buyer, (i) if the SN Parties shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of their representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 8.2 or (ii) if all of the conditions set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived, as applicable, and the SN Parties nevertheless refuse or fail to Close the transactions contemplated in this Agreement; provided, the SN Parties shall first be entitled to 10 days’ notice and the opportunity to cure and provided furthermore that Buyer shall not be in breach at such time;

 

(c)                                  by the SN Parties, (i) if Buyer shall have breached or failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 8.3 or (ii) if all of the conditions set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived, as applicable, and Buyer nevertheless refuses or fails to Close the transactions contemplated in this Agreement; provided, Buyer shall first be entitled to 10 days’ notice and the opportunity to cure and provided furthermore that the SN Parties shall not be in breach at such time;

 

(d)                                 by either Buyer or the SN Parties, upon notice to the other Party, if the transactions contemplated at the Closing have not been consummated by March 31, 2017 (the “Outside Date”), provided that neither Buyer nor the SN Parties shall be entitled to terminate

 

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this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(d) if such Person’s breach of this Agreement has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or

 

(e)                                  by either Buyer or the SN Parties, if any Governmental Authority shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or shall have taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated hereby and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.

 

Section 10.2                             Effect of Termination.

 

(a)                                 Except for the provisions of this Article X, Article XII and Article XIII, if the Parties terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(a), all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate without any liability of any Party to the other Party and except that termination of this Agreement will not affect any liability of either Party for any breach of this Agreement prior to termination, or any breach at any time of the provisions hereof surviving termination.

 

(b)                                 If the SN Parties terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(c) due to a material breach of this Agreement by Buyer, then the SN Parties shall be entitled to seek all rights and remedies at law or in equity against Buyer or its Affiliates. Each of Buyer and the SN Parties agree to waive any requirement for the posting of a bond in connection with any such equitable relief in favor of the other Party.

 

(c)                                  If Buyer terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b) due to a material breach of this Agreement by the SN Parties, then Buyer shall be entitled to seek all rights and remedies at law or in equity against the SN Parties or their Affiliates. Each of Buyer and the SN Parties agree to waive any requirement for the posting of a bond in connection with any such equitable relief in favor of the other Party.

 

ARTICLE XI.
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 11.1                             Indemnification.  From and after the Closing and subject to the provisions of this Article XI, (i) the SN Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Buyer Indemnified Costs and (ii) Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Seller Indemnified Costs.

 

Section 11.2                             Defense of Third-Party Claims.  An Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the SN Parties or Buyer, as applicable (the “Indemnifying Party”), of the commencement or assertion of any Claim by a third party (collectively, a “third-party action”) in respect of which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification hereunder. Any failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it, he, or she may have to such Indemnified Party under this Article XI unless and to the extent the failure to give such notice materially and adversely prejudices the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume control of the defense of, settle, or otherwise dispose of such third-party action on such terms as it deems appropriate; provided, however, that:

 

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(a)                                 The Indemnified Party shall be entitled, at its own expense, to participate in the defense of such third-party action (provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall pay the attorneys’ fees of the Indemnified Party if (i) the employment of separate counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party in connection with the defense of such third-party action; (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to have charge of such third-party action; (iii) the Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to such Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party; or (iv) the Indemnified Party’s counsel shall have advised the Indemnified Party in writing, with a copy delivered to the Indemnifying Party, that there is a material conflict of interest that could violate applicable standards of professional conduct to have common counsel);

 

(b)                                 The Indemnifying Party shall obtain the prior written approval of the Indemnified Party before entering into or making any settlement, compromise, admission or acknowledgment of the validity of such third-party action or any liability in respect thereof if, pursuant to or as a result of such settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment, injunctive or other equitable relief would be imposed against the Indemnified Party or if, in the opinion of the Indemnified Party, such settlement, compromise, admission or acknowledgment could have a material adverse effect with respect to the Indemnified Party;

 

(c)                                  The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement without the consent of the Indemnified Party that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by each claimant or plaintiff to the Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such third-party action; and

 

(d)                                 The Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to control (but shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of), and the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to have sole control over, the defense or settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment of any third-party action (i) as to which the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense within a reasonable length of time (except to the extent (A) the Indemnifying Party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to such Indemnifying Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnified Party or (B) the Indemnifying Party’s counsel shall have advised the Indemnifying Party in writing, with a copy delivered to the Indemnified Party, that there is a material conflict of interest that could violate applicable standards of professional conduct to have common counsel) or (ii) to the extent the third-party action seeks an order, injunction, or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party which, if successful, would materially adversely affect the business, operations, assets, or financial condition of the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall make no settlement, compromise, admission, or acknowledgment that would give rise to liability on the part of any Indemnifying Party without the prior written consent of such Indemnifying Party.

 

The Parties shall extend reasonable cooperation in connection with the defense of any third-party action pursuant to this Article XI and, in connection therewith, shall furnish such records, information, and testimony and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials, and appeals as may be reasonably requested.

 

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Section 11.3                             Direct Claims.  In any case in which an Indemnified Party seeks indemnification hereunder which is not subject to Section 11.2 because no third-party action is involved, the Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of any Indemnified Costs which such Indemnified Party claims are subject to indemnification under the terms hereof.  Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11.4(a), the failure of the Indemnified Party to exercise promptness in such notification shall not amount to a waiver of such claim unless and to the extent the resulting delay materially prejudices the position of the Indemnifying Party with respect to such claim.

 

Section 11.4                             Limitations.  The following provisions of this Section 11.4 shall limit the indemnification obligations hereunder:

 

(a)                                 The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any Indemnified Costs pursuant to this Article XI unless a written claim for indemnification in accordance with Section 11.2 or Section 11.3 is given by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party with respect thereto on or before 5:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on or prior to the date that is eighteen (18) months after of the Closing Date; provided, however, that written claims for indemnification (i) for Indemnified Costs arising out of a breach of any representation or warranty contained in Article III, Section 4.1, Section 4.2, Section 4.3, Section 4.6, Section 4.7, Section 5.1, Section 5.2 and Section 5.5 (the “Fundamental Representations”) may be made at any time and (ii) for Indemnified Costs arising out of a breach of any covenant may be made at any time.

 

(b)                                 Except as set forth in this Agreement, an Indemnified Party will not be entitled to any Indemnified Costs with respect to any individual Claim that does not equal or exceed 0.05% of the Purchase Price (the “Individual Indemnity Threshold”), and all such Claims that equal or exceed the Individual Indemnity Threshold must collectively also exceed the Indemnity Deductible, and thereafter, the Indemnified Party shall only be entitled to indemnity for the amount in excess of the Indemnity Deductible, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement.  Except as set forth below, the maximum aggregate liability of the SN Parties under Section 11.1 shall not exceed the Indemnity Cap.  Except as set forth below, the maximum aggregate liability of Buyer under Section 11.1 shall not exceed the Indemnity Cap.

 

(c)                                  The limitations set forth above in this Section 11.4 shall not apply to any claim for indemnification under Section 11.1 with respect to any breach of (i) the Fundamental Representations or (ii) the indemnification obligations set forth in this Article XI.

 

(d)                                 With respect to Buyer Indemnified Costs incurred by the Company for which indemnification by the SN Parties is required hereunder, the SN Parties shall be obligated to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties only for such Buyer Indemnified Costs only to the extent of Buyer’s 50% responsibility for such Buyer Indemnified Costs (with the other 50% of such Buyer Indemnified Costs being the obligation of the LLC Agreement’s counterparty).  With respect to Seller Indemnified Costs incurred by the Company for which indemnification by Buyer is required hereunder, Buyer shall be obligated to indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties only for such Seller Indemnified Costs only to the extent of Seller’s 50% responsibility for such Seller Indemnified Costs (with the other 50% of such Seller Indemnified Costs being the obligation of LLC Agreement’s counterparty).

 

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(e)                                  Each Party acknowledges and agrees that, after the Closing Date, except as otherwise set forth in Section 6.4 and Article XII, Buyer’s and the other Buyer Indemnified Parties’ and the SN Parties’ and the other Seller Indemnified Parties’ sole and exclusive remedy with respect to the Indemnified Costs shall be in accordance with, and limited by, the provisions set forth in this Article XI.

 

(f)                                   For purposes of determining any Losses resulting from a breach of any of the SN Parties’ representations and warranties contained in Article III or Article IV for which Buyer Indemnified Parties would be entitled to indemnification, any dollar or materiality qualifications in the SN Parties’ representations and warranties shall be disregarded.

 

Section 11.5                             Tax Treatment of Payment of Indemnity Costs.  The SN Parties and Buyer agree that any payment of Indemnified Costs made hereunder will be treated by the Parties on their Tax Returns as an adjustment to the Purchase Price.

 

Section 11.6                             Express Negligence Rule.  THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF NOTWITHSTANDING ANY EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE RULE OR ANY SIMILAR DIRECTIVE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OR OTHERWISE LIMIT INDEMNITIES BECAUSE OF THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES.

 

ARTICLE XII.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.1                             WAIVERS AND DISCLAIMERS.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND OTHER COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS MADE BY THE PARTIES IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT NONE OF THE PARTIES HAVE MADE, DOES NOT MAKE, AND EACH SUCH PARTY SPECIFICALLY NEGATES AND DISCLAIMS, ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, PROMISES, COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR GUARANTIES OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, ORAL OR WRITTEN, PAST OR PRESENT, REGARDING (A) THE VALUE, NATURE, QUALITY OR CONDITION OF THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS, INCLUDING THE WATER, SOIL, GEOLOGY OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY GENERALLY, THE PRESENCE OR LACK OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR OTHER MATTERS ON THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY; (B) THE INCOME TO BE DERIVED FROM THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS; (C) THE SUITABILITY OF THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY FOR ANY AND ALL ACTIVITIES AND USES THAT MAY BE CONDUCTED THEREON; (D) THE COMPLIANCE OF OR BY THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY OR ITS OPERATION WITH ANY APPLICABLE LAWS (INCLUDING ANY ZONING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, POLLUTION OR LAND USE LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, ORDERS OR REQUIREMENTS); OR (E) THE HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, MARKETABILITY, PROFITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF

 

25



 

THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NONE OF THE PARTIES IS LIABLE OR BOUND IN ANY MANNER BY ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS OR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS FURNISHED BY ANY AGENT, EMPLOYEE, SERVANT OR THIRD PARTY. THIS Section 12.1 SHALL SURVIVE THE PURCHASE OF THE INTERESTS OR THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS Section 12.1 HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE PARTIES AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION AND ARE INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE EXCLUSION AND NEGATION OF ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT, OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.

 

Section 12.2                             Expenses.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred by the Parties in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be borne solely and entirely by the Party which has incurred such expense. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Buyer shall be responsible for all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of the General Partner in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein and (ii) the SN Parties and their Affiliates shall be responsible for all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the audit committee of the board of directors of SN in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.

 

Section 12.3                             Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be valid and effective under Applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance will be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision hereof, and the Parties will negotiate in good faith with a view to substitute for such provision a suitable and equitable solution in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.

 

Section 12.4                             Notice.  Any notice, communication, request, instruction or other document by any party to another required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and addressed as set forth below.  Any such notice, communication, request, instruction or other document shall be deemed to have been duly made or given and the receiving Party charged with notice as follows: (i) if personally delivered, when received; (ii) if sent by facsimile, with electronic confirmation of delivery, if sent during normal business hours on a Business Day, and if not sent during normal business hours on a Business Day, on the next subsequent Business Day; (iii) if mailed certified mail, return receipt requested, on the day such notice is received, and if such day is not a Business Day, on the next subsequent Business Day; or (iv) if sent by overnight courier, the next Business Day after placement into the custody of the overnight courier.  All notices shall be addressed as follows:

 

SN Parties:

Sanchez Energy Corporation

 

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1000 Main Street, Suite 3000

Houston, Texas  77002

Attn.:           President

Fax:                 (713) 756 - 2784

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

1111 Louisiana Street, 44th Floor

Houston, Texas  77002

Attention:  David Elder

Fax:  (713) 236 - 0822

 

Buyer:

Sanchez Production Partners LP

1000 Main Street, Suite 3000

Houston, Texas  77002

Attn.:           Chief Financial Officer

Fax:                 (832) 308 - 3720

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas  77002

Attention:  Scott Olson

Fax:  (713) 238 - 7410

 

A Party may, by written notice so delivered to the other Parties, change its address for notice purposes hereunder.

 

Section 12.5                             Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Enforcement.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Texas, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state.

 

(b)                                 The Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Texas over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each Party irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or proceeding shall be brought, heard and determined only in such courts. The Parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. Each Party agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be

 

27



 

enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Applicable Law.

 

(c)                                  The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the Parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any state or federal court located in the State of Texas, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties further hereby waives (i) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (ii) any requirement under any law to post security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

Section 12.6                             Confidentiality.

 

(a)                                 Obligations.  Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to retain the other Party’s Confidential Information in confidence and not disclose the same to any third party nor use the same, except as authorized by the disclosing Party in writing or as expressly permitted in this Section 12.6.  Each Party further agrees to take the same care with the other Party’s Confidential Information as it does with its own, but in no event less than a reasonable degree of care.

 

(b)                                 Required Disclosure.  Notwithstanding Section 12.6(a) above, if the receiving Party becomes legally compelled to disclose the Confidential Information by a court, Governmental Authority or Applicable Law, including the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or is required to disclose pursuant to the rules and regulations of any national securities exchange upon which the receiving Party or its parent entity is listed, any of the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, the receiving Party shall promptly advise the disclosing Party of such requirement to disclose Confidential Information as soon as the receiving Party becomes aware that such a requirement to disclose might become effective, in order that, where possible, the disclosing Party may seek a protective order or such other remedy as the disclosing Party may consider appropriate in the circumstances.  The receiving Party shall disclose only that portion of the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information that it is required to disclose and shall cooperate with the disclosing Party in allowing the disclosing Party to obtain such protective order or other relief.

 

(c)                                  Return of Information.  Upon written request by the disclosing Party, all of the disclosing Party’s Confidential Information in whatever form shall be returned to the disclosing Party upon termination of this Agreement or destroyed with destruction certified by the receiving Party, without the receiving Party retaining copies thereof except that one copy of all such Confidential Information may be retained by a Party’s legal department for purposes of resolving any dispute that may arise hereunder or for complying with Applicable Law or the rules of any securities exchange applicable to the Party, and the receiving Party shall be entitled to retain any Confidential Information in electronic form stored on automatic computer back-up archiving systems during the period such backup or archived materials are retained under such Party’s customary procedures and policies; provided, however, that any Confidential Information retained by the receiving Party shall be maintained subject to confidentiality pursuant to the

 

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terms of this Section 12.6, and such archived or back-up Confidential Information shall not be accessed except as required by Applicable Law.

 

(d)                                 Receiving Party Personnel.  The receiving Party will limit access to the Confidential Information of the disclosing Party to those of its employees, attorneys, representatives and contractors that have a need to know such information in order for the receiving Party to exercise or perform its rights and obligations under this Agreement (the “Receiving Party Personnel”).  The Receiving Party Personnel who have access to any Confidential Information of the disclosing Party will be made aware of the confidentiality provision of this Agreement, and will be required to abide by the terms thereof.

 

(e)                                  Survival.  The obligation of confidentiality under this Section 12.6 shall survive until the second anniversary the Closing Date.

 

Section 12.7                             Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and their successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any other Person (other than the Indemnified Parties with respect to Article XI) any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.8                             Assignment of Agreement.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto.

 

Section 12.9                             Captions.  The captions in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the interpretation hereof.

 

Section 12.10                      Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or portable document format (pdf)) for the convenience of the Parties, each of which counterparts will be deemed an original, but all of which counterparts together will constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Section 12.11                      Integration.  This Agreement supersedes any previous understandings or agreements among the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to their subject matter. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or form part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto or thereto and executed by the Parties or parties thereto after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.12                      Amendment; Waiver.  This Agreement may be amended only in a writing signed by all Parties. Any waiver of rights hereunder must be set forth in writing. A waiver of any breach or failure to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not in any way affect, limit or waive any Party’s rights at any time to enforce strict compliance thereafter with every term or condition of this Agreement. Any amendment or waiver executed by any of the Parties or their respective subsidiaries shall not be effective unless and until the execution of such amendment or waiver has been approved by, with respect to Buyer, the conflicts committee

 

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of the board of directors of the General Partner, and with respect to the SN Parties, the audit committee of the board of directors of SN.

 

Section 12.13                      Mitigation.  Each Party shall take all reasonable steps, and shall reasonably cooperate with the other Parties in good faith, to mitigate damages in respect of any Claim under Article XI for which it or another Buyer Indemnified Party or Seller Indemnified Party, as applicable, is seeking indemnification and shall use reasonable efforts to avoid any costs or expenses associated with such Claim and, if such costs and expenses cannot be avoided, to minimize the amount thereof.  Further, no Party shall take nor fail to take any action, which action or inaction induces, incentivizes or otherwise is reasonably likely to lead a third party to make a Claim against a Buyer Indemnified Party or Seller Indemnified Party, for which it seeks indemnification under Article XI.

 

Section 12.14                      Privileged Information.  The SN Parties and Buyer and its and their respective successors and assigns, hereby acknowledge and agree that all attorney-client privileged communications between or among the Company’s members (involving the SN Parties), the Company and their respective counsel, including, without limitation, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and closing under, or any dispute or proceeding arising solely in connection with, this Agreement which, immediately prior to the Closing, would be deemed to be privileged communications of the Company, its members and/or their counsel and would not be subject to disclosure to Buyer in connection with any process relating to a dispute arising under or in connection with this Agreement, shall continue after the Closing to be privileged communications with such counsel, and neither Buyer, the Company, nor any Person purporting to act on behalf of or through Buyer or the Company, shall seek to obtain the same by any process on the grounds that the privilege attaching to such communications belongs to the Company, and not the Company members (it being understood that the foregoing shall not apply to any communications between the Company and its counsel not made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and closing under, or any dispute or proceeding arising solely in connection with, this Agreement).

 

ARTICLE XIII.
INTERPRETATION

 

Section 13.1                             Interpretation.  It is expressly agreed that this Agreement shall not be construed against any Party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption made, on the basis of who drafted this Agreement or any particular provision hereof or who supplied the form of Agreement.  Each Party agrees that this Agreement has been purposefully drawn and correctly reflects its understanding of the transaction that this Agreement contemplates. In construing this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate;

 

(b)                                 the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions;

 

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(c)                                  a defined term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement and each Exhibit to this Agreement, regardless of whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined;

 

(d)                                 each Exhibit to this Agreement is a part of this Agreement, but if there is any conflict or inconsistency between the main body of this Agreement and any Exhibit, the provisions of the main body of this Agreement shall prevail;

 

(e)                                  the term “cost” includes expense and the term “expense” includes cost;

 

(f)                                   the headings and titles herein are for convenience only and shall have no significance in the interpretation hereof;

 

(g)                                  currency amounts referenced herein, unless otherwise specified, are in U.S. Dollars;

 

(h)                                 unless the context otherwise requires, all references to time shall mean time in Houston, Texas;

 

(i)                                     whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified; and

 

(j)                                    if a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb).

 

Section 13.2                             References, Gender, Number.  All references in this Agreement to an “Article,” “Section,” “subsection” or “Exhibit” shall be to an Article, Section, subsection or Exhibit of this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein,” “hereby,” or words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to a particular Article, Section, subsection, clause or other subdivision hereof. Cross references in this Agreement to a subsection or a clause within a Section may be made by reference to the number or other subdivision reference of such subsection or clause preceded by the word “Section.” Whenever the context requires, the words used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter gender, and the singular and the plural.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

SANCHEZ ENERGY CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

Name:

Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

SN MIDSTREAM, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

Name:

Antonio R. Sanchez, III

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANCHEZ PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Sanchez Production Partners GP LLC, as

 

 

General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gerald F. Willinger

 

Name:

Gerald F. Willinger

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Purchase and Sale Agreement (Carnero Processing)]