Exhibit



Exhibit 10.23



Execution Version














CREDIT AGREEMENT


DATED AS OF


FEBRUARY 23, 2018


AMONG


DRIL-QUIP, INC., 
AS BORROWER


THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,


THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO


AND


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AN ISSUING BANK AND SWINGLINE LENDER


___________________________


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
AS SOLE BOOKRUNNER AND SOLE LEAD ARRANGER


AND


HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AS SYNDICATION AGENT














































Exhibit 10.23



    
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS




Page


		
	ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS
	1


SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms    1
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings    34
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally    34
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP    35
SECTION 1.05 Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions    35
SECTION 1.06 Status of Obligations    35
SECTION 1.07 Currency Matters    36
		
	ARTICLE II  THE CREDITS
	36


SECTION 2.01 Commitments    36
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings    37
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings    37
SECTION 2.04 Protective Advances    38
SECTION 2.05 Swingline Loans and Overadvances    39
SECTION 2.06 Letters of Credit    40
SECTION 2.07 Funding of Borrowings    45
SECTION 2.08 Interest Elections    46
SECTION 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase in Commitments    47
SECTION 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt    48
SECTION 2.11 Prepayment of Loans    49
SECTION 2.12 Fees    51
SECTION 2.13 Interest    52
SECTION 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest    53
SECTION 2.15 Increased Costs    54
SECTION 2.16 Break Funding Payments    55
SECTION 2.17 Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up    55
SECTION 2.18 Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs    59
SECTION 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders    61
SECTION 2.20 Defaulting Lenders    62
SECTION 2.21 Returned Payments    63
SECTION 2.22 Banking Services and Swap Agreements    63
		
	ARTICLE III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
	64


SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers    64
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability    64
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts    64
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change    64
SECTION 3.05 Properties    65
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters    65
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default    65
SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status    65
SECTION 3.09 Taxes    66
SECTION 3.10 ERISA    66
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure    66
SECTION 3.12 Solvency    66
SECTION 3.13 Insurance    67






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 3.14 Capitalization and Subsidiaries    67
SECTION 3.15 Security Interest in Collateral    67
SECTION 3.16 Employment Matters    67
SECTION 3.17 Federal Reserve Regulations    67
SECTION 3.18 Use of Proceeds    67
SECTION 3.19 No Burdensome Restrictions    67
SECTION 3.20 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions    67
SECTION 3.21 Affiliate Transactions    68
SECTION 3.22 Common Enterprise    68
SECTION 3.23 EEA Financial Institutions    68
		
	ARTICLE IV  CONDITIONS
	68


SECTION 4.01 Effective Date    68
SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event    71
		
	ARTICLE V  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
	72


SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information    72
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events    75
SECTION 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business    76
SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations    76
SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties    76
SECTION 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights    76
SECTION 5.07 Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations    77
SECTION 5.08 Use of Proceeds    77
SECTION 5.09 Accuracy of Information    77
SECTION 5.10 Insurance    78
SECTION 5.11 Casualty and Condemnation    78
SECTION 5.12 Appraisals    78
SECTION 5.13 Depository Banks    78
SECTION 5.14 Additional Collateral; Further Assurances    78
SECTION 5.15 Post-Closing Obligations    80
		
	ARTICLE VI  NEGATIVE COVENANTS
	81


SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness    81
SECTION 6.02 Liens    82
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes    84
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions    84
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales    86
SECTION 6.06 Sale and Leaseback Transactions    86
SECTION 6.07 Swap Agreements    87
SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness    87
SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates    87
SECTION 6.10 Restrictive Agreements    88
SECTION 6.11 Amendment of Material Documents    88
SECTION 6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio    88
		
	ARTICLE VII  EVENTS OF DEFAULT
	88


		
	ARTICLE VIII  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
	92


SECTION 8.01 Appointment    92
SECTION 8.02 Rights as a Lender    92
SECTION 8.03 Duties and Obligations    92
SECTION 8.04 Reliance    93
SECTION 8.05 Actions through Sub-Agents    93
SECTION 8.06 Resignation    93
SECTION 8.07 Non-Reliance    94






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 8.08 Other Agency Titles    95
SECTION 8.09 Not Partners or Co-Venturers; Administrative Agent as Representative of the Secured Parties    95
SECTION 8.10 Flood Laws    95
		
	ARTICLE IX  MISCELLANEOUS
	96


SECTION 9.01 Notices    96
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments    97
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver    100
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns    101
SECTION 9.05 Survival    106
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution    106
SECTION 9.07 Severability    107
SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff    107
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process    107
SECTION 9.10 Waiver of Jury Trial    108
SECTION 9.11 Headings    108
SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality    108
SECTION 9.13 Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law    109
SECTION 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act    109
SECTION 9.15 Disclosure    109
SECTION 9.16 Appointment for Perfection    109
SECTION 9.17 Interest Rate Limitation    110
SECTION 9.18 Marketing Consent    110
SECTION 9.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions    110
SECTION 9.20 No Fiduciary Duty, etc    110
SECTION 9.21 Concerning Certificates    111
		
	ARTICLE X  LOAN GUARANTY
	111


SECTION 10.01 Guaranty    111
SECTION 10.02 Guaranty of Payment    112
SECTION 10.03 No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty    112
SECTION 10.04 Defenses Waived    112
SECTION 10.05 Rights of Subrogation    113
SECTION 10.06 Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration    113
SECTION 10.07 Information    113
SECTION 10.08 Termination    113
SECTION 10.09 Taxes    114
SECTION 10.10 Maximum Liability    114
SECTION 10.11 Contribution    114
SECTION 10.12 Liability Cumulative    115
SECTION 10.13 Keepwell    115
























Exhibit 10.23





SCHEDULES:


Commitment Schedule
Schedule 3.05 - Properties
Schedule 3.06 - Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.13 - Insurance
Schedule 3.14 - Capitalization and Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.21 - Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 6.01 - Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 - Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04 - Existing Investments
Schedule 6.10 - Existing Restrictions






EXHIBITS:


Exhibit A - Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B - Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C - Form of Collateral Access Agreement
Exhibit D - Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E - Joinder Agreement
Exhibit F-1 - U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-2 - U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-3 - U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-4 - U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit G - Commitment Increase Agreement
Exhibit H - Additional Lender Agreement
















































 






Exhibit 10.23



CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 23, 2018 (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) among DRIL-QUIP, INC., a Delaware corporation, as borrower (the “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties party hereto from time to time, the Lenders party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), as an Issuing Bank and as Swingline Lender.
The parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I


DEFINITIONS


SECTION 1.01  Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.
“Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which any Loan Party (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.
“Activation Period” means (a) the period commencing on the first date on which a Default or Event of Default has occurred and continuing at all times until the date upon which no Default or Event of Default then exists or (b) the period commencing on the first date on which Availability is less than the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Commitment and continuing at all times until the date upon which, for the preceding thirty (30) consecutive day period, Availability has been equal to at least the greater of (A) $10,000,000 and (B) 15% of the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Commitment.
“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
“Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate” means, for any day, an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) 1.00% plus (b) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month interest period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day; provided further, that, if the LIBO Screen Rate at such time shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereof.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the specified Person.






Exhibit 10.23



“Aggregate Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Lenders, as increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitment is $100,000,000.
“Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereof.
“Alternative Currency” means any lawful currency (other than dollars) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank and which is freely transferable and convertible into dollars and is freely available to the applicable Issuing Bank.
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure, Overadvances or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is such Lender’s Commitment and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Commitment (provided that, if the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at that time), and (b) with respect to Protective Advances or with respect to the Aggregate Revolving Exposure, a percentage based upon its share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and the unused Commitments; provided that, in accordance with Section 2.20, so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculations under clauses (a) and (b) above.
“Applicable Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Applicable Rate” hereof.
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day: 
(i)    with respect to any commitment fees payable hereunder, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate”, based upon the average daily unused portion of the Aggregate Commitment of the Borrower during the calendar month in which such day falls, as set forth below under the caption “Unused Commitment”:


	
		
	Unused Commitment
	Commitment Fee Rate

	Category 1
≥ 50% 
	0.375%

	Category 2
< 50% 
	0.250%






and (ii) with respect to any Loan payable hereunder, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “CBFR Spread” or “Eurodollar Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date, provided that until the delivery to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to Section 5.01, of the Borrower’s consolidated financial information for the Borrower’s first fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 3:








Exhibit 10.23



	
			
	Leverage Ratio
	CBFR Spread
	Eurodollar Spread

	Category 1
 2.0 to 1.0
	1.50%
	2.50%

	Category 2
 2.0 to 1.0 but
 1.0 to 1.0
	1.25%
	2.25%

	Category 3
 1.0 to 1.0
	1.00%
	2.00%






For purposes of the foregoing clause (ii), (a) the Applicable Rate for each fiscal quarter of the Borrower shall be determined as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter of the Borrower based upon the Borrower’s quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and (b) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating the next such change in the Leverage Ratio which would result in a change in the Applicable Rate, provided that the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 if the Borrower fails to deliver the annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01 during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.
In the event that any consolidated financial statements or compliance certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 is shown to be inaccurate, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Rate for any period (an “Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Rate applied for such Applicable Period, and only in such case, then the Borrower shall immediately (A) deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected compliance certificate for such Applicable Period, (B) determine the Applicable Rate for such Applicable Period based upon the corrected compliance certificate, and (C) within ten (10) Business Days of determination and demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Rate for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.18. The preceding sentence is in addition to the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to Section 2.13 and Article VII and their other respective rights under this Agreement.
“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall be a third party beneficiary of such assumption by the assignee of the obligations of the assigning Lender with respect to obligations owing to the Borrower under this Agreement, as modified by such Assignment and Assumption.
“Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base minus (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings) at such time.
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.
“Available Commitment” means, at any time, the Aggregate Commitment then in effect minus the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings) at such time.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.






Exhibit 10.23



“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services, and interstate depository network services).
“Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
“Bankruptcy Code” means 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.


“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business, appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the U.S. or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
“Banking Services Reserves” means all reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Banking Services then provided or outstanding.
“Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to any U.S. Federal withholding Tax, the beneficial owner, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, to whom such Tax relates.
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the U.S.
“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereof.
“Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Swingline Loan, (c) a Protective Advance and (d) an Overadvance. 
“Borrowing Base” means, at any time, the sum of 
(a)    85% of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Accounts at such time, plus 
(b)    85% of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Bill-And-Hold Accounts at such time, plus
(c)    the product of 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage (by Inventory category) identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal obtained by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the Loan Parties’ Eligible Inventory, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, minus 
(d)    any Reserves. 






Exhibit 10.23



The amount of Inventory which may be included as part of the Borrowing Base shall not exceed 75% of the total Borrowing Base. The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Borrower, (i) establish or adjust the Reserves, or, (ii) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (x) reduce the advance rates set forth above, or (y) reduce one or more of the other elements used in computing the Borrowing Base. During such three (3) Business Day period, the Administrative Agent shall, if requested, discuss any such Reserve or change with the Borrower and, to the extent applicable, the Borrower may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Reserve or change no longer exists or exists in a manner that would result in the establishment of a lower Reserve or result in a lesser change, in each case, in a manner and to the extent satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.
“Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10 (but subject to the proviso following such clauses).
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in London.
“Capital Expenditures” means, without duplication, any expenditure for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Balance Testing Period” means the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the date on which the DRQ Pledge is delivered in accordance with Section 5.15(b)(ii), which period, for the avoidance of doubt, may continue until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, if the DRQ Pledge is not delivered in accordance with Section 5.15(b)(ii).
“CB Floating Rate” means the Prime Rate; provided that the CB Floating Rate shall never be less than the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day). Any change in the CB Floating Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate, respectively.
“CBFR”, when used in reference to: (a) a rate of interest, refers to the CB Floating Rate, and (b) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the CB Floating Rate.
“CFC” means a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.
“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power 






Exhibit 10.23



represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower; (b) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were not (i) directors of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement, (ii) nominated or appointed by the board of directors of the Borrower, or (iii) approved by the board of directors of the Borrower as director candidates prior to their election.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.
“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances or Overadvances.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral” means any and all property owned, leased or operated by a Person covered by the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be, become or be required to be, subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders and other Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations.
“Collateral Access Agreement” means any landlord waiver or other agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C or in such other form that is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, between the Administrative Agent and any third party (including any bailee, consignee, customs broker or other similar Person) in possession of any Collateral or any landlord of any real property where any Collateral is located, as such landlord waiver or other agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Deposit Account Control Agreements, the Commodity Account Control Agreements, the Securities Account Control Agreements and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, control agreements, pledge agreements, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether theretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
“Collection Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Commercial LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding commercial Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to commercial Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The Commercial LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Commercial LC Exposure at such time.






Exhibit 10.23



“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit, Overadvances, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09 and assignment by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.
“Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.
“Commodity Account Control Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).
“Competitor” means any Person that is a bona fide direct competitor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the same industry or a substantially similar industry which offers a substantially similar product or service as the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise, provided that in no event shall any natural person that serves as a director or manager of, or holds any office or other position in, any Person be deemed to Control such Person solely as a result of serving in such capacity or holding such office or other position. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Controlled Disbursement Account” one or more accounts of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent as a zero balance, cash management account pursuant to and under any agreement between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as modified and amended from time to time, and through which all disbursements of the Borrower, any other Loan Party and any designated Subsidiary of the Borrower are made and settled on a daily basis with no uninvested balance remaining overnight.
“Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.
“DDA Access Product” means the bank service provided to any Loan Party by JPMCB in its sole discretion consisting of direct access to schedule payments from the Funding Account by electronic, internet or other access mechanisms that may be agreed upon from time to time by JPMCB and the Borrower and the funding of such payments under the Loan Borrowing Option in the DDA Access Product Agreement.
“DDA Access Product Agreement” means JPMCB’s Treasury Services End of Day Investment & Loan Sweep Service Terms, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally. 


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








Exhibit 10.23



“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement, to the effect that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has become, the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.
“Deposit Account Control Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits, proceedings and environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
“Disqualified Institution” means, as of any date, (a) any Competitor which has been designated by the Borrower as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 9.01(a)(ii) (which such notice shall specify such Person by exact legal name) and the Lenders (including by posting such notice to the Platform) and (b) any Affiliate (other than any Person described in subclause (iii) below) of any Competitor described in clause (a) that is (x) designated by the Borrower as specified in clause (a) or (y) clearly identifiable as an Affiliate of such Competitor solely on the basis of the similarity of its name; provided, that (i) no designation of a Competitor as a “Disqualified Institution” pursuant hereto shall be effective until five (5) Business Days following the receipt of such written notice by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (ii) “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Borrower has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time and (iii) any bona fide debt fund or investment vehicle that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business which is managed, sponsored or advised by any Person Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such Competitor or its Controlling owner shall be deemed not to be a Competitor.
“Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Dollar Equivalent” of any amount means, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Alternative Currency, the equivalent of such amount in dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of the dollars with such Alternative Currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. London time (or New York time, as applicable) on a particular day as displayed by ICE Data Services as the “ask price”, or as displayed on such other information service which publishes that rate of exchange from time to time in place of ICE Data Services (or if such service ceases to be available, the equivalent of such amount in dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the U.S.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized or created under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the U.S.
“DQ List” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Ineligible Institution”.
“Dril-Quip Brazil” means Dril-Quip do Brasil Ltda., a limited liability company (sociedade limitada) formed under the laws of Brazil.






Exhibit 10.23



“DRQ” means DRQ Holdings C.V., a limited liability partnership (commanditaire vennootschap) formed under the laws of the Netherlands.
“DRQ Pledge” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15(b)(ii).
“EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense for such period net of tax refunds received during such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any extraordinary non-cash charges for such period and (v) any other non-cash charges for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Net Income in a prior period and any non-cash charge that relates to the write-down or write-off of inventory), minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income for such period, (i) any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges described in clause (a)(v) above taken in a prior period and (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for the Borrower, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
“Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts of the Loan Parties, other than any Account:
(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;
(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;
(c)    (i) with respect to which the scheduled due date is more than ninety (90) days after the date of the original invoice therefor, (ii) which is unpaid more than ninety (90) days after the date of the original 






Exhibit 10.23



invoice therefor or more than sixty (60) days after the original due date therefor (“Overage”) (when calculating the amount under this clause (ii), for the same Account Debtor, the Administrative Agent shall include the net amount of such Overage and add back any credits, but only to the extent that such credits do not exceed the total gross receivables from such Account Debtor, or (iii) which has been written off the books of the Loan Parties or otherwise designated as uncollectible;
(d)    which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible pursuant to clause (c) above;
(e)    which is owing by (i) an Investment Grade Account Debtor to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Investment Grade Account Debtor and its Affiliates to the Loan Parties exceeds 50% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts or which are owing by any other Account Debtor to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to the Loan Parties exceeds 20% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts, but, in each case, only to the extent of such excess;
(f)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached in any material respect or is not true in any material respect (in each case, without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein);
(g)    which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods or performance of services in the ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon any Loan Party’s completion of any further performance, (v) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (vi) relates to payments of interest;
(h)    (i) for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor, (ii) for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by any Loan Party or (iii) if such Account was invoiced more than once;
(i)    with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;
(j)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (other than post-petition accounts payable of an Account Debtor that is a debtor-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;
(k)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S. or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S., any state of the U.S., or the District of Columbia, or Canada, or any province of Canada unless, in any such case, such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent; provided that, up to $15,000,000 in the aggregate of Accounts owing by Account Debtors which (x) do not maintain their chief executive offices in the U.S. (including any territory thereof) or Canada or (y) are not organized under applicable law of the U.S. or Canada, may be included as Eligible Accounts despite the foregoing provisions of this clause (k), so long as each such Account Debtor is, or is a Subsidiary of, an Investment Grade Account Debtor;
(l)    which is owed in any currency other than dollars; 






Exhibit 10.23



(m)    which is owed by (i) any Governmental Authority of any country other than the U.S. unless such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, or (ii) any Governmental Authority of the U.S., or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;
(n)    which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;
(o)    which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness, or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;
(p)    which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;
(q)    which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument;
(r)    which is owed by an Account Debtor (i) located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit the applicable Loan Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless the applicable Loan Party has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) which is a Sanctioned Person;
(s)    with respect to which any Loan Party has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business but only to the extent of any such reduction, or any Account which was partially paid and any Loan Party created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;
(t)    which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether Federal, state or local, including without limitation the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Board;
(u)    which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than the applicable Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than the applicable Loan Party as payee or remittance party;
(v)    which was created on cash on delivery terms; or
(w)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable.
In the event that an Account which was previously an Eligible Account ceases to be an Eligible Account hereunder, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate. In determining the amount of an Eligible Account, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that any applicable Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Account. 






Exhibit 10.23



“Eligible Bill-And-Hold Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts of the Loan Parties (a) which are specifically identifiable as bill-and-hold accounts on the aging of the Loan Parties’ Accounts, (b) for which the goods giving rise to such Account (i) are fully covered by insurance paid for by the applicable Account Debtor and which insurance policies name the applicable Loan Party as an additional insured and loss payee, (ii) are segregated from other goods and are clearly identifiable as goods of such Account Debtor, and (iii) whose physical location is tracked at all times, (c) with respect to which the applicable Loan Party and the Account Debtor have agreed, pursuant to a binding written agreement that, (A) title in the goods giving rise to such Accounts has transferred to the Account Debtor, (B) such goods will be billed and paid for by the Account Debtor prior to delivery of such goods to the Account Debtor, and (C) such goods are not subject to inspection and/or acceptance by such Account Debtor, or such right of inspection and/or acceptance by such Account Debtor has been waived or otherwise satisfied, and (d) which would otherwise constitute an “Eligible Account” under this Agreement, but for clauses (g)(v) and (h)(i) of the definition thereof. 
“Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory of the Loan Parties, other than any Inventory:
(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;
(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;
(c)    which is, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used, unfit for use or sale, not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;
(d)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached in any material respect or is not true in any material respect in each case, without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) and which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having authority over such Inventory or the use or sale thereof;
(e)    in which any Person other than the applicable Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;
(f)    which (i) is not finished goods or which constitutes raw materials, or (ii) constitutes subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;
(g)    which is not located in the U.S. or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;
(h)    which is located in any location leased by any Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Rent Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;
(i)    which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and is not evidenced by a Document unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) an appropriate Rent Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;






Exhibit 10.23



(j)    which is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from such third party location or outside processor;
(k)    which is the subject of a consignment by any Loan Party as consignor;
(l)    which is perishable;
(m)    which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to the applicable Loan Party unless the Administrative Agent is satisfied in its Permitted Discretion that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;
(n)    which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of the Loan Parties;
(o)    for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;
(p)    which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or
(q)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable.
In the event that Inventory which was previously Eligible Inventory ceases to be Eligible Inventory hereunder, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate. 
“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or occupational health and workplace safety.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“ERISA Event” means(a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30‐day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention 






Exhibit 10.23



to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, in critical status or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.
“Excluded Assets” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Excluded Deposit Accounts” means any deposit accounts used solely for trust, payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries. 
“Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary that is (a) a FSHCO or (b) is owned directly or indirectly by a CFC.  
“Excluded Subsidiary” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(c).
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f); and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.






Exhibit 10.23



“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate, provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
“First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary that is a direct Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary).
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, all calculated for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to such date).
“Fixed Charges” means, for any period, without duplication, cash Interest Expense, plus prepayments and scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness actually made, plus expenses for taxes paid in cash, plus Restricted Payments paid in cash, plus Capital Lease Obligation payments actually made, plus, to the extent not deducted in the calculation of EBITDA for such period, cash contributions to any Plan (if any), all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Flood Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10.
“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“FSHCO” means any Domestic Subsidiary with no material assets or business activities other than the ownership or management of Equity Interests in one or more CFCs. 
“Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(h).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the U.S., any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.






Exhibit 10.23



“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.
“Guarantors” means all of the Loan Guarantors and any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement as a Loan Guarantor pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and all non-Loan Parties who have delivered an Obligation Guaranty, and, in each case, their successors and assigns, and the term “Guarantor” means each or any one of them individually.
“Hazardous Materials” means: (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic materials,” “toxic waste,” or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.
“Honing” means Honing, Inc., a Texas corporation.
“IFRS” means the body of pronouncements issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), including International Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations approved by the IASB, International Accounting Standards and Standing Interpretations Committee interpretations approved by the predecessor International Accounting Standards Committee and adapted for use in the European Union.
“Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate.”
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication as to such Person or any group of Persons, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid on or prior to the due date of such obligations, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current trade accounts and other accounts payable, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (k) obligations under any earn-out (which shall be valued in accordance with GAAP), (l) any other Off-Balance Sheet Liability and (m) obligations, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Swap Agreements, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include, without duplication as to such Persons, the Indebtedness of any other Person (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such Person, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by, or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).
“Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).






Exhibit 10.23



“Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.
“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08.
“Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any CBFR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the first Business Day of each calendar month, upon any prepayment due to acceleration and the Maturity Date, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part (and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period), upon any prepayment and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time; provided, that, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Investment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.
“Investment Grade Account Debtor” means, any Account Debtor whose securities are rated BBB- (or then equivalent grade) or better by S&P or Baa3 (or then equivalent grade) or better by Moody’s.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Issuing Bank” means, individually and collectively, each of JPMCB, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and any other Lender from time to time designated by the Borrower as an Issuing Bank, with the consent of such Lender and the Administrative Agent, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Letters of Credit). At any time there is more than one (1) Issuing 






Exhibit 10.23



Bank, all singular references to the Issuing Bank shall mean any Issuing Bank, either Issuing Bank, each Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or both (or all) Issuing Banks, as the context may require.
“Issuing Bank Sublimit” means, as of the Effective Date, (i) $10,000,000, in the case of JPMCB, and (ii) in the case of another Issuing bank, such amount as shall be designated to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing by such Issuing Bank; provided that any Issuing Bank shall be permitted at any time to increase its Issuing Bank Sublimit upon providing five (5) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, provided. however, that no increase to any Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit shall result in the aggregate LC Exposure to exceed the maximum amount provided therefor in Section 2.06(b).
“Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E.
“JPMCB” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and its successors.
“Knowledge” means, with respect to any Person, the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer of such Person. “Know” and “Known” have meanings correlative thereto.
“LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).
“LC Disbursement” means any payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the Commercial LC Exposure and the Standby LC Exposure at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on the Commitment Schedule and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09 or an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank.
“Letters of Credit” means letters of credit (or bank guarantees in Alternative Currencies that the applicable Issuing Bank may permit to be issued in its discretion and in accordance with Sections 1.07 and 2.06, as applicable) issued pursuant to this Agreement, and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.
“Leverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness on such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such date.
“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate, subject to Section 2.14 in the event that the Administrative Agent shall conclude that it shall not be possible to determine such Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error). Notwithstanding the above, to the extent that “LIBO Rate” or “Adjusted LIBO Rate” is used in connection with a CBFR Borrowing, such rate shall be determined as modified by the definition of Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate.
“LIBO Screen Rate” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for Dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or 






Exhibit 10.23



substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“Loan Borrowing Option” has the meaning assigned to such term in the DDA Access Product Agreement.
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit applications, the Collateral Documents, the Loan Guaranty, any Obligation Guaranty, and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, fee letters, contracts, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit, and all other agreements, instruments and documents whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party in such capacity, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.
“Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.
“Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement.
“Loan Parties” means, collectively, (a) the Borrower, (b) each Significant Domestic Subsidiary that is a party to the Loan Guaranty and (c) any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and their respective successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” means any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.
“Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans, Overadvances and Protective Advances.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents, (c)  the Administrative Agent’s Liens (on behalf of itself and other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens, or (d) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents; provided, however, in no event shall “Material Adverse Effect” include any event, development or circumstance directly or indirectly arising out of or attributable to  any failure by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet any projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions (provided that the underlying causes of such failure (subject to the other provisions of this definition) shall not be excluded).
“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum 






Exhibit 10.23



aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.
“Maturity Date” means February 23, 2023 or any earlier date on which the Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.
“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.
“Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory or intangibles of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof as determined in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent by an appraiser acceptable to the Administrative Agent, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.
“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) and the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the fiscal year that such event occurred or the next succeeding fiscal year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer).
“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).
“Non-Loan Party Cash Balance” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents (including any Permitted Investments) of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Loan Parties. 
 “NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Banking Day, for the immediately preceding Banking Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.






Exhibit 10.23



“Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.
“Obligation Guaranty” means any Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by a guarantor who is not a Loan Party.
“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any other Indemnitee, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Off-Balance Sheet Liability” of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any so-called “synthetic lease” transaction entered into by such Person, or (c) any indebtedness, liability or obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than operating leases).
“Original Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(g).
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or any Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).
“Overadvances” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).
“Paid in Full” or “Payment in Full” means, (a) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (b) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup standby letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 105% of the LC Exposure as of the date of such payment), (c) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, if any, (d) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to 






Exhibit 10.23



survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (e) the termination of all Commitments, and (f) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Secured Parties counterparties thereto.
“Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
“Payment Condition” shall be deemed to be satisfied in connection with a Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition if:
(a)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition;
(b)    immediately after giving effect to and at all times during the 30 consecutive day period immediately prior to such Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition, the Borrower shall have (i) (A) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition of not less than the greater of (1) 20% of the Commitment or (2) $15,000,000, and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the trailing four (4) fiscal quarters calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition, of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 or (ii) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, Permitted Acquisition or asset disposition of not less than $50,000,000; and
(c)    the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying as to the items described in (A) and (B) above and attaching calculations for item (B).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:
(a)    such Acquisition is not a hostile or contested acquisition;
(b)    the business acquired in connection with such Acquisition is not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any line of business other than the businesses in which the Loan Parties are engaged on the Effective Date and any business activities that are substantially similar, related, or incidental thereto;
(c)    both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and the Loans (if any) requested to be made in connection therewith, each of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents is true and correct (except (i) any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date and (ii) to the extent the Lenders have been notified in writing by the Loan Parties that any representation or warranty is not correct and the Lenders have explicitly waived in writing compliance with such representation or warranty) and no Default exists, will exist, or would result therefrom;
(d)    as soon as available, but not less than ten (10) days prior to such Acquisition (or such shorter period prior to such Acquisition as the Administrative Agent may permit in its sole discretion), the Borrower has provided the Administrative Agent (i) notice of such Acquisition and (ii) a copy of all business and financial 






Exhibit 10.23



information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent including pro forma financial statements, statements of cash flow, and Availability projections;
(e)    if the Accounts and Inventory acquired in connection with such Acquisition are proposed to be included in the determination of the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent shall have conducted an audit and field examination of such Accounts and Inventory, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;
(f)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, such Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a Subsidiary of the Borrower and, if the acquired Person is a domestic entity and the Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, then the acquired Person shall become a Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
(g)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets located in the U.S., then such Acquisition is structured so that the Borrower or another Loan Party shall acquire such assets;
(h)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulation U;
(i)    if such Acquisition involves a merger or a consolidation involving the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Borrower or such Loan Party, as applicable, shall be the surviving entity;
(j)    no Loan Party shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(k)    in connection with an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, all Liens on property of such Person (other than any Lien permitted under Section 6.02) shall be terminated unless the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders in their sole discretion consent otherwise, and in connection with an Acquisition of the assets of any Person, all Liens on such assets shall be terminated;
(l)    the Payment Condition shall be satisfied on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition;
(m)    all actions required to be taken with respect to any newly acquired or formed Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable, required under Section 5.14 shall have been taken; and
(n)    the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent the final executed material documentation relating to such Acquisition within five (5) Business Days following the consummation thereof.
“Permitted Acquisition Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f). 
“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a)    Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(b)    carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;






Exhibit 10.23



(c)    pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, pension and other social security laws or regulations;
(d)    deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e)    judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and
(f)    outstanding mineral interests, easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause (e) above.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(a)    direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the U.S. (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.), in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b)    investments in commercial paper maturing within two hundred seventy (270) days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;
(c)    investments in certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any Lender or any other commercial bank which (i) has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 and (ii) in the case of any such commercial bank that is not organized under the laws of the U.S. or any State thereof, whose long term debt is rated no lower than A or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P;
(d)    fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and
(e)    money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $1,000,000,000.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.
“Prepayment Event” means:






Exhibit 10.23



(a)    any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of any Loan Party, other than dispositions described in Section 6.05(a), which results in Net Proceeds in excess of $2,000,000, individually or in the aggregate; or
(b)    any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party, which results in Net Proceeds in excess of $2,000,000, individually or in the aggregate; or
(c)    the incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition thereof, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMCB as its prime rate in effect at its principal offices in New York City. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
“Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(d).
“Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.
“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).
“Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(g).
“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents, administrators, managers, representatives and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping of any Hazardous Materials into the environment.
“Rent Reserve” means, with respect to any store, warehouse distribution center, regional distribution center or depot where any Inventory subject to Liens arising by operation of law is located, a reserve equal to three (3) months’ rent at such store, warehouse distribution center, regional distribution center or depot.
“Report” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of the Loan Parties, after the Administrative Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent.
“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least 66 2/3% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and unused Commitments at such time; provided that, as long as there are only two (2) Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean both Lenders. 






Exhibit 10.23



“Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
“Reserves” means any and all reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, reserves for past due interest on the Secured Obligations, Banking Services Reserves, Rent Reserves, volatility reserves, reserves for fluctuation of currency exchange rates, reserves for rent at locations leased by any Loan Party and for consignee’s, warehousemen’s and bailee’s charges, reserves for dilution of Accounts, reserves for Inventory shrinkage, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for Swap Agreement Obligations, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured, undersinsured, unindemnified or under indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral.
“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any chief executive officer, president, Financial Officer or general counsel of such Person.
“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower.
“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure at such time, plus an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances outstanding at such time, plus an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Overadvances outstanding at such time.
“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.
“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).
“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, or the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.






Exhibit 10.23



“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all (a) Banking Services Obligations and (b) Swap Agreement Obligations owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
“Secured Parties” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) the Issuing Bank, (d) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (e) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
“Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and any other pledge or security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or any other Person for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Securities Account Control Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.
“Settlement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(d).
“Settlement Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(d).
“Significant Domestic Subsidiary” means (a) Honing, (b) TIW, (c) each Domestic Subsidiary that Guarantees any Permitted Acquisition Debt or any Material Indebtedness and (d) each Domestic Subsidiary whose (i) Total Assets (when combined with the assets of its subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower were equal to or greater than 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such date or (ii) EBITDA (determined as if references to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the definitions of “EBITDA”, “Interest Expense” and “Net Income” were references to such Domestic Subsidiary and its subsidiaries) as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower was equal to or greater than 5% of EBITDA; provided that EBITDA for all purposes under this definition shall be calculated for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower.
“Significant Foreign Subsidiary” means (a) Dril-Quip Brazil, (b) DRQ, (c) each Foreign Subsidiary, all or a portion of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of which secure any Permitted Acquisition Debt or any Material Indebtedness and (d) each First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary whose (i) Total Assets (when combined with the assets of its subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower were equal to or greater than 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such date or (ii) EBITDA (determined as if references to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the definitions of “EBITDA”, “Interest Expense” and “Net Income” were references to such First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary and its subsidiaries) as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower was equal to or greater than 5% of EBITDA; provided that EBITDA for all purposes under this definition shall be calculated for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower.
“Standby LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all standby Letters of Credit outstanding at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to standby Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The Standby LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Standby LC Exposure at such time.
“Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(g).






Exhibit 10.23



“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D of the Board. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D of the Board or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.
“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
“Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any such Swap Agreement transaction.
“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.
“Swingline Lender” means JPMCB in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Swingline Lender and any consent given by JPMCB in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by JPMCB in its capacity as Swingline Lender.
“Swingline Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).






Exhibit 10.23



“Target Balance” has the meaning assigned to such term in the DDA Access Product Agreement.
“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“TIW” means TIW Corporation, a Texas corporation.
“Total Assets” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any Person, the amount that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a balance sheet of such Person at such date.
“Total Indebtedness” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis.
“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CBFR.
“UCC” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement. 
“Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, Capital Expenditures made during such period which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loans; it being understood and agreed that, to the extent any Capital Expenditures are financed with Revolving Loans, such Capital Expenditures shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures), all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America. 
“Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (a) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (b) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (c) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.
“U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).
“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
“Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if after the date hereof the Borrower migrates to IFRS or there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such migration to IFRS or change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such migration to IFRS or change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such migration or change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (a) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Loan Party, the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (b) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.
SECTION 1.05 Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions. To the extent the Borrower or any Subsidiary makes any Acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 or to the extent the Leverage Ratio or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are otherwise required under this Agreement to be calculated on a pro forma basis, then in each case for purposes of making any calculation with respect to financial ratios required by this Agreement, such calculation shall be made for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently 






Exhibit 10.23



ended for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that any calculation of Indebtedness with respect to such financial ratios shall be made as of the date of such transaction and shall include any incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness as of such date, each of the Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as applicable, shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which (a) are directly attributable to the applicable event, including, without limitation, the Acquisition or the disposition of assets, (b) are factually supportable and (c) are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent), as if such event, including such Acquisition or such disposition (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first day of such four (4)-fiscal quarter period, and approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.
SECTION 1.06 Status of Obligations. In the event that the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, the Borrower shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness. Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.
SECTION 1.07 Currency Matters.
(a)Principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be payable in dollars. Unless stated otherwise, all calculations, comparisons, measurements or determinations under this Agreement shall be made in dollars. For purposes of such calculations, comparisons, measurements and determinations, amounts denominated in any Alternative Currency shall be converted to the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date of such calculation, comparison, measurement or determination.
(b)If at any time following one or more fluctuations in the exchange rate of an Alternative Currency against the dollar, the Dollar Equivalent of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall within three (3) Business Days of written notice of same from the Administrative Agent or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, within one (1) Business Day after written notice of the same from the Administrative Agent make the necessary payments or repayments to reduce the Aggregate Revolving Exposure to an amount necessary to eliminate such excess. 
(c)The Borrower may from time to time request that Letters of Credit be issued in an Alternative Currency. In the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank. Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank not later than 9:00 am, Houston time, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the desired Letter of Credit issuance (or such other time or date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank in their sole discretion). In the case of any such request, the Administrative Agent shall promptly advise each applicable Issuing Bank thereof. Each Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than noon, Houston time, two (2) Business Days (or such other period of time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested Alternative Currency. Any failure by any Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Issuing Bank to permit Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested Alternative Currency. If the Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank consent to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested Alternative Currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower. 
(d)Without in any way limiting the foregoing provisions, the Administrative Agent shall make any calculations of Dollar Equivalents to determine compliance with this Section 1.07, which calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.






Exhibit 10.23





ARTICLE II


THE CREDITS
SECTION 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances and Overadvances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04 and 2.05. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.
(e)Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required. Any Protective Advance, any Overadvance and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.04 and 2.05.
(f)Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of CBFR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith, provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as CBFR Borrowings but may be converted into Eurodollar Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08. Each Swingline Loan shall be a CBFR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accord-ance with the terms of this Agreement.
(g)At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000. CBFR Borrowings may be in any amount. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of six (6), Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.
(h)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or facsimile) in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower or by telephone or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, not later than (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, 10:00 a.m., Houston time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of a CBFR Borrowing, noon, Houston time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of a CBFR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., Houston time, on the date of such proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, facsimile or a communication through Electronic System to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i)the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;
(ii)the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)whether such Borrowing is to be a CBFR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv)in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a CBFR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed 






Exhibit 10.23



to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04 Protective Advances.
(i)Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrower and the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Borrower, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other past due amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”); provided that, the aggregate amount of Protective Advances and Overadvances, collectively, outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000; provided further that, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Protective Advances being made shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitment. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. All Protective Advances shall be CBFR Borrowings. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time that there is sufficient Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Lenders to make a Revolving Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).
(j)Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.
SECTION 2.05 Swingline Loans and Overadvances.
(k)If there is more than one (1) Lender at such time, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower requests a CBFR Borrowing, the Swingline Lender may elect to have the terms of this Section 2.05(a) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the Borrower on the date of the applicable Borrowing to the Funding Account (each such Loan made solely by the Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is referred to in this Agreement as a “Swingline Loan”), with settlement among them as to the Swingline Loans to take place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(d). Each Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other CBFR Loans funded by the Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swingline Lender solely for its own account. In addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Swingline Lender to, and the Swingline Lender may, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (but without any further written notice required), not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston time, on each Business Day, make available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the Funding Account, the proceeds of a Swingline Loan to the extent necessary to pay items to be drawn on any Controlled Disbursement Account that Business Day; provided that, if on any Business Day there is insufficient borrowing capacity to permit the Swingline Lender to make available to the Borrower a Swingline Loan in the amount necessary to pay all items to be so drawn on any such Controlled Disbursement Account on such Business Day, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a CBFR Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.03 in the amount of such deficiency to be made on such Business Day. In addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Swingline Lender to, and the Swingline Lender may, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (but without any further written notice required), to the extent that 






Exhibit 10.23



from time to time on any Business Day funds are required under the DDA Access Product to reach the Target Balance (a “Deficiency Funding Date”), make available to the Borrower the proceeds of a Swingline Loan in the amount of such deficiency up to the Target Balance, by means of a credit to the Funding Account on or before the start of business on the next succeeding Business Day, and such Swingline Loan shall be deemed made on such Deficiency Funding Date. If there is only one (1) Lender at such time, no Swingline Loans will be permitted; provided that, if there is more than one (1) Lender at any time, the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed $2,000,000. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan if the requested Swingline Loan exceeds Availability (before or after giving effect to such Swingline Loan). All Swingline Loans shall be CBFR Borrowings.
(l)Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, at the request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion (but with absolutely no obligation), on behalf of the Lenders, (x) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in amounts that exceed Availability (any such excess Revolving Loans are herein referred to collectively as “Overadvances”) or (y) deem the amount of Revolving Loans outstanding to the Borrower that are in excess of Availability to be Overadvances; provided that, no Overadvance shall result in a Default due to Borrower’s failure to comply with Section 2.01 for so long as such Overadvance remains outstanding in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, but solely with respect to the amount of such Overadvance. In addition, Overadvances may be made even if the condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02(c) has not been satisfied. All Overadvances shall constitute CBFR Borrowings. The making of an Overadvance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Overadvance on any other occasion. The authority of the Administrative Agent to make Overadvances is limited to an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time; provided that, the aggregate amount of Overadvances and Protective Advances shall not collectively exceed $5,000,000. No Overadvance may remain outstanding for more than thirty (30) days and no Overadvance shall cause any Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Commitment; provided that, the Required Lenders may at any time revoke the Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Overadvances. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof.
(m)Upon the making of a Swingline Loan or an Overadvance (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such Swingline Loan or Overadvance), each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Swingline Loan or Overadvance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the Commitment. The Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent may, at any time, require the Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Swingline Loan or Overadvance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Swingline Loan or Overadvance.
(n)The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Swingline Lender, shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the Lenders on at least a weekly basis or on any date that the Administrative Agent elects, by notifying the Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile, telephone, or e-mail no later than 12:00 noon Houston time on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). Each Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of the Swingline Loans) shall transfer the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to such account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 2:00 p.m., Houston time, on such Settlement Date. Settlements may occur during the existence of a Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have then been satisfied. Such amounts transferred to the Administrative Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loans and, together with Swingline Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Lenders, respectively. If any such amount is not transferred to the Administrative Agent by any Lender on such Settlement Date, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, as specified in Section 2.07.
SECTION 2.06 Letters of Credit.
(o)General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in dollars, or in Alternative Currencies that the applicable Issuing Bank may permit at such time in its discretion and in accordance with Section 1.07, as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any 






Exhibit 10.23



time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. The Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any Subsidiary’s obligations as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph, the Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is a Sanctioned Country or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed not to be in effect on the Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
(p)Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall deliver by hand or facsimile (or transmit through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of, but in any event prior to 9:00 am, Houston time, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) (a) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed 10,000,000, (b) the aggregate Standby LC Exposure shall not exceed $10,000,000, and (c) the aggregate Commercial LC Exposure shall not exceed $10,000,000 (ii) no Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall exceed its Commitment and (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue or modify any Letter of Credit if, immediately after giving effect thereto, the outstanding LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person and its Affiliates would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit. Without limiting the foregoing and without affecting the limitations contained herein, it is understood and agreed that the Borrower may from time to time request that an Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit in effect at the time of such request, and each Issuing Bank agrees to consider any such request in good faith but shall have no obligation to issue such requested Letter of Credit. 






Exhibit 10.23



Any Letter of Credit so issued by an Issuing Bank in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit then in effect shall nonetheless constitute a Letter of Credit for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall not affect the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any other Issuing Bank, subject to the limitations on the aggregate LC Exposure set forth in clause (i) of this Section 2.06(b).
(q)Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-renewal by notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one (1) year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, including, without limitation, any automatic renewal provision, one (1) year after such renewal or extension) or such longer period of time as may be agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank in its sole discretion (which shall in no event extend beyond the date set forth in clause (ii) hereof) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
(r)Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(s)Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent (A) an amount equal to such LC Disbursement in dollars (based on the Dollar Equivalent of such amount, if applicable) and (B) the Dollar Equivalent of any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with such payment, (i) not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 9:00 a.m., Houston time, on such date, or, (ii) if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston time, on (x) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 9:00 a.m., Houston time, on the day of receipt, or (y) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time, on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with a CBFR Borrowing or Swingline Loan (to the extent available) in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting CBFR Borrowing or Swingline Loan, as applicable. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank, as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of CBFR Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(t)Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any 






Exhibit 10.23



lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, or the Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing (including, without limitation, the Borrower’s absolute, unconditional and irrevocable obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as set forth in this Section 2.06(f)) shall not be construed to (x) preclude the Borrower’s pursuing any rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit at law or under any other agreement or (y)  excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
(u)Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
(v)Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to CBFR Loans and such interest shall be due and payable on the date when such reimbursement is payable; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(w)Replacement of the Issuing Bank.
(i)The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall 






Exhibit 10.23



remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(ii)Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i) above.
(x)Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, within three (3) Business Days after the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 105% of the amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all money or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the LC Collateral Account. Moneys in the LC Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Default have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent.
(y)Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank (other than JPMCB) shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such LC Disbursement, and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.
(z)LC Exposure Determination. For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at the time of determination, provided, that, if applicable, in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the deemed amount of such Letter of Credit shall give effect to converting the stated amount of such Letter of Credit into the Dollar Equivalent thereof as of the date of issuance.
SECTION 2.07 Funding of Borrowings.






Exhibit 10.23



(aa)Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Houston time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that, Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the Funding Account; provided that CBFR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank and (ii) a Protective Advance or an Overadvance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent.
(ab)Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to CBFR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
SECTION 2.08 Interest Elections.
(ac)Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, Overadvances or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.
(ad)To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, Electronic System or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.
(ae)Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request (including requests submitted through Electronic System) shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i)the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii)the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a CBFR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv)if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration.
(af)Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.






Exhibit 10.23



(ag)If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to a CBFR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to a CBFR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase in Commitments.
(ah)Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
(ai)The Borrower may at any time terminate the Commitments upon Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations. 
(aj)The Borrower may from time to time reduce the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000, (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base, and (iii) the Borrower shall not reduce the Commitments if such reduction will make the Commitments less than $20,000,000.
(ak)The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
(al)The Borrower shall have the right to increase the Commitments by obtaining additional Commitments, either from one or more of the Lenders or one or more other lending institutions provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 (or such lower amount as the Administrative Agent agrees), (ii) the Borrower may make a maximum of five (5) such requests, (iii) after giving effect thereto, the sum of the total of the additional Commitments does not exceed $125,000,000, (iv) the Aggregate Commitment does not exceed $225,000,000, (v) the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank have approved the identity of any such new Lender, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld, (vi) any such new Lender assumes all of the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder, and (vii) the procedure described in Section 2.09(f) have been satisfied. Nothing contained in this Section 2.09 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time.
(am)Any amendment hereto for such an increase or addition shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall only require the written signatures of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Lender being added or increasing its Commitment, subject only to the approval of all Lenders if any such increase or addition would cause the Aggregate Commitment to exceed $225,000,000. As a condition precedent to such an increase or addition, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of each Loan Party signed by an authorized officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (B) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase or addition, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, (2) no Default exists, (3) the Borrower is in compliance (on a pro forma basis) with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (ii)  legal opinions and documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent. If the Borrower elects to increase the Aggregate Commitment by increasing the Commitment of a Lender, the Borrower and such Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G (a “Commitment Increase Agreement”) or in such other form, including an amendment to this Agreement, otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent. If the Borrower elects to increase the Commitments by 






Exhibit 10.23



causing an additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and there is no increased Commitment by an existing Lender, then the Borrower and such additional Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H (an “Additional Lender Agreement”) or in such form, including an amendment to this Agreement, otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Each such additional Lender shall submit to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless such fee is waived by the Administrative Agent). The Borrower shall, if requested by the additional Lender deliver a promissory note payable to such additional Lender in a principal amount equal to its Commitment, and otherwise duly completed.
(an)On the effective date of any such increase or addition, (i) any Lender increasing (or, in the case of any newly added Lender, extending) its Commitment shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase or addition and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its revised Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall make such other adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans then outstanding and amounts of principal, interest, commitment fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, in order to effect such reallocation and (ii)  the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase (or addition) in the Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. Within a reasonable time after the effective date of any increase or addition, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to, revise the Commitment Schedule to reflect such increase or addition and shall distribute such revised Commitment Schedule to each of the Lenders and the Borrower, whereupon such revised Commitment Schedule shall replace the old Commitment Schedule and become part of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(ao)The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent, (iii)  to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the fifth (5th) Business Day after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that, on each date that a Revolving Loan is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding and the proceeds of any such Revolving Loan shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to repay any Swingline Loans outstanding, and (iv) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid principal amount of each Overadvance on the earlier of the Maturity Date, the thirtieth (30th) day after such Overadvance is made and demand by the Administrative Agent.
(ap)At all times during an Activation Period, on each Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to the Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available) first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding , pro rata, second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) and third to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure to the extent required herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any funds credited to the Collection Account constitute Net Proceeds, the application of such Net Proceeds shall be subject to Section 2.11(c).
(aq)Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(ar)The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.






Exhibit 10.23



(as)The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section 2.10 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(at)Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form.
SECTION 2.11 Prepayment of Loans.
(au)The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, without penalty or premium, subject to prior written notice in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16.
(av)Except for Overadvances permitted under Section 2.05, in the event and on such occasion that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall prepay the Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans or cash collateralize the LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j) as applicable in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
(aw)In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Borrower shall, promptly and in any event within three (3) Business Days (or, for any event described in clause (c) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, not later than the first Business Day) after such Net Proceeds are received by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, prepay the Obligations and cash collateralize the LC Exposure as set forth in Section 2.11(d) below in an aggregate amount equal to (100%) of such Net Proceeds, provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, (x) if the property or asset that is the subject of such event constitutes an Excluded Asset that secures any Permitted Acquisition Debt, then the Borrower may apply the Net Proceeds thereof to any prepayment then required under the terms of such Permitted Acquisition Debt prior to applying the remainder thereof (if any) in accordance with this Section 2.11(c) and (y) if the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Loan Parties intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to acquire (or replace or rebuild) real property, equipment or other tangible assets (excluding Inventory) to be used in the business of the Loan Parties, and certifying that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then either (i) so long as an Activation Period is not in effect, no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate or (ii) if an Activation Period is in effect, then, if the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate are to be applied to acquire, replace or rebuild such assets by (A) the Borrower, such Net Proceeds shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans (without a permanent reduction of the Commitment) and upon such application, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Reserve against the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the amount of such proceeds so applied and (B) any Loan Party that is not the Borrower, such Net Proceeds shall be deposited in a cash collateral account, and in the case of either clause (A) or (B), thereafter, such funds shall be made available to the applicable Loan Party as follows:
(i)Borrower shall request a Borrowing (specifying that the request is to use Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 2.11) or the applicable Loan Party shall request a release from the cash collateral account be made in the amount needed;
(ii)so long as the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been met, the Lenders shall make such Borrowing or the Administrative Agent shall release funds from the cash collateral account; and
(iii)in the case of Net Proceeds applied against the Borrowing, the Reserve established with respect to such insurance proceeds shall be reduced by the amount of such Borrowing;


provided that to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, a prepayment shall be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied.






Exhibit 10.23



(ax)All such amounts prepaid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (as to any insurance or condemnation proceeds, to the extent they arise from casualties or losses to Collateral) shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding, pro rata, second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in the Commitments and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. If the precise amount of insurance or condemnation proceeds allocable to Collateral as compared to other equipment, fixtures and real property is not otherwise determined, the allocation and application of those proceeds shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion.
(ay)The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, of any prepayment hereunder not later than (i) 10:00 a.m., Houston time, (A) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (B) in the case of prepayment of a CBFR Borrowing, one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.
(az)During the Cash Balance Testing Period, if (i) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds $0, (ii) the Non-Loan Party Cash Balance exceeds $50,000,000 (including the Dollar Equivalent of any Non-Loan Party Cash Balance denominated in any other currency) and (iii) Availability is less than $25,000,000, then the Borrower shall, promptly and in any event within three (3) Business Days after such events occur, prepay the Obligations and cash collateralize LC Exposure in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (x) the then outstanding Aggregate Revolving Exposure and (y) an amount such that Availability (plus the aggregate amount of such cash collateralized LC Exposure, if applicable) is equal to or greater than $25,000,000 upon giving effect to a prepayment and/or cash collateralization in such amount; provided, that all amounts prepaid by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.11(f) shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding, pro rata, second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in the Commitments and third to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure.
SECTION 2.12 Fees.
(ba)The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar month and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). 
(bb)The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued 






Exhibit 10.23



through and including the last day of each calendar month shall be payable on the first Business Day of each calendar month following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(bc)The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(bd)All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.13 Interest.
(be)The Loans comprising CBFR Borrowings (including Swingline Loans) shall bear interest at the CBFR plus the Applicable Rate.
(bf)The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
(bg)Each Protective Advance and each Overadvance shall bear interest at the CBFR plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans plus 2%.
(bh)Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, at their option, by notice to the Borrower (which notice may be revoked at the option of the Required Lenders notwithstanding any provision of Section 9.02 requiring the consent of “each Lender affected thereby” for reductions in interest rates), declare that (i) all Loans shall bear interest at 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount outstanding hereunder, such amount shall accrue at 2% plus the rate applicable to such fee or other obligation as provided hereunder. 
(bi)Accrued interest on each Loan (for CBFR Loans, accrued through the last day of the prior calendar month) shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a CBFR Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(bj)All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days, except that interest computed by reference to the CB Floating Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days (or three hundred sixty-six (366) days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable CB Floating Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
SECTION 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest.
(bk)If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(i)the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable (including, without limitation, by means of an Interpolated Rate or because the LIBO Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis) for such Interest Period; or
(ii)the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders through Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) any Interest Election 






Exhibit 10.23



Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and any such Eurodollar Borrowing shall be repaid or converted into a CBFR Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, and (B) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a CBFR Borrowing.
(bl)If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or if any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, fund or continue any Eurodollar Borrowing, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make, maintain, fund or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert CBFR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings will be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower will upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), either convert or prepay all Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to CBFR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such conversion or prepayment, the Borrower will also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted or prepaid.
(bm)If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Screen Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBO Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest and other related changes (including, to the extent necessary, corresponding changes to the definition of “Applicable Rate” and other definitions referenced therein) is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (c) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 2.14(c), only to the extent the LIBO Screen Rate for such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a CBFR Borrowing; provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.15 Increased Costs.
(bn)If any Change in Law shall:
(i)impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank;
(ii)impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or
(iii)subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;






Exhibit 10.23



and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or main-taining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(bo)If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of, or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit, Overadvances, Protective Advances or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(bp)A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof.
(bq)Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the one hundred eighty (180)-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.16 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(d) or 2.11(e) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 2.17 Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up.
(br)Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of any Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.  If such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(bs)Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
(bt)Evidence of Payment. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(bu)Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(bv)Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).






Exhibit 10.23



(bw)Status of Lenders.
(i)Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the applicable Withholding Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by such Withholding Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by a Withholding Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by such Withholding Agent as will enable such Withholding Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A)any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the applicable Withholding Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of a Withholding Agent), an executed IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;
(B)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the applicable Withholding Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of a Withholding Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or
(4)to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the Beneficial Owner, an executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each Beneficial Owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the applicable Withholding Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from 






Exhibit 10.23



time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Withholding Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit such Withholding Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the applicable Withholding Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Withholding Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Withholding Agent as may be necessary for such Withholding Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the applicable Withholding Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.  
(bx)Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(by)Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document (including the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).
(bz)Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.
SECTION 2.18 Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs.
(ca)The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Houston time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due 






Exhibit 10.23



on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(cb)Any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrower), (B) a mandatory prepayment, including any Net Proceeds received pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (C) amounts to be applied from the Collection Account when an Activation Period is in effect (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from the Borrower (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Borrower (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third, to pay interest due in respect of the Overadvances and Protective Advances, fourth, to pay the principal of the Overadvances and Protective Advances, fifth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans (other than the Overadvances and Protective Advances) ratably, sixth, to prepay principal on the Loans (other than the Overadvances and Protective Advances) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, seventh, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to 105% of the aggregate LC Exposure, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, and ninth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party by the Borrower or any other Loan Party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower, or unless a Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Eurodollar Loan of a Class, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding CBFR Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrower shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.
(cc)All payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from any deposit account of the Borrower (other than any Excluded Deposit Account) maintained with the Administrative Agent, or if any such deposit account does not  have sufficient funds to make such payment, from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder either pursuant to a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents to the extent any deposit account of the Borrower (other than any Excluded Deposit Account) maintained with the Administrative Agent has insufficient funds therefor, and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans and Overadvances, but such a Borrowing may only constitute a Protective Advance if it is to reimburse costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of the Borrower (other than any Excluded Deposit Account) maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.
(cd)If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in 






Exhibit 10.23



accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(ce)Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(cf)If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it hereunder, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations hereunder until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender hereunder. Application of amounts pursuant to (i) and (ii) above shall be made in any order determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.
(cg)The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrower with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “Statements”). The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrower’s convenience. Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations. If the Borrower pays the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement, the Borrower shall not be in default of payment with respect to the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided, that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.
SECTION 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(ch)If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(ci)If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights 






Exhibit 10.23



(other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
SECTION 2.20 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(cj)fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);
(ck)such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02) or under any other Loan Document; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;
(cl)if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(i)all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only (x) to the extent that the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time) and (y) to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Commitment;
(ii)if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;
(iii)if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;
(iv)if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and
(v)if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and






Exhibit 10.23



(cm)so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(c), and LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Issuing Bank shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Issuing Bank to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.
In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
SECTION 2.21 Returned Payments. If after receipt of any payment which is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party in its discretion), then the Secured Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.22 Banking Services and Swap Agreements. Each Lender or Affiliate thereof (other than JPMCB and its Affiliates) providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, upon (a) the Administrative Agent’s request therefor or (b) any material change in the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations. The information set forth in the most recent summary delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to Section 2.18(b).


ARTICLE III


REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in 






Exhibit 10.23



the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in every juris-diction where such qualification is required.
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a “default” or “event of default” under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.
(cn)The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 certified by its Financial Officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP or IFRS, as applicable, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.
(co)No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since December 31, 2016.
SECTION 3.05 Properties.
(cp)As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party necessary or used in the conduct of its business. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect, and, to the Knowledge of such Loan Party, no default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property, (i) free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor irregularities or deficiencies in title that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with any Loan Party’s ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such property for its intended purpose.
(cq)Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property necessary to its business as currently conducted, and the use thereof by each Loan Party and each Subsidiary does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person, and each Loan Party’s and each Subsidiary’s rights thereto are not subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement.
SECTION 3.06  Litigation and Environmental Matters.
(cr)There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the Knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against or affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.
(cs)Except for the Disclosed Matters (i) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability, (ii) Knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material 






Exhibit 10.23



Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary (A) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (B) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, or (C) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability.
SECTION 3.07  Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default. Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) all Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property and (b) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 3.08  Investment Company Status. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.
SECTION 3.09  Taxes. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such Taxes.
SECTION 3.10  ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the extent applicable, the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 or subsequent recodification thereof, as applicable) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan , and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 or subsequent recodification thereof, as applicable) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure. The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date. 
SECTION 3.12  Solvency.
(ct)Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, (i) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) no Loan Party will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.
(cu)No Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.
SECTION 3.13 Insurance. Schedule 3.13 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid. The Borrower maintains, and has caused each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially 






Exhibit 10.23



sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their real and personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
SECTION 3.14 Capitalization and Subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.14 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Borrower of each Subsidiary, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each of the Borrower’s authorized Equity Interests, all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.14, and (c) the type of entity of the Borrower and each Subsidiary. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non‐assessable. As of the Effective Date, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of any Loan Party to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any Loan Party.
SECTION 3.15 Security Interest in Collateral. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents create legal and valid Liens on all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except (a) in the case of Permitted Encumbrances, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law or agreement, and (b) in the case of Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title), to the extent the Administrative Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral.
SECTION 3.16 Employment Matters. As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary pending or, to the Knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters. All payments due from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary.
SECTION 3.17 Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit has been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.
SECTION 3.18 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.
SECTION 3.19 No Burdensome Restrictions. No Loan Party is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.10.
SECTION 3.20 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and, to the Knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expect to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person, and are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the Knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.
SECTION 3.21 Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no existing or proposed agreements, arrangements, understandings or transactions between any Loan Party and any of the officers, members, managers, directors, stockholders, parents, holders of other Equity Interests or Affiliates (other than Subsidiaries) of any Loan Party or, to the Knowledge of such Loan Party, any members of their respective immediate families, and, to the Knowledge of such Loan Party, none of the foregoing Persons are directly or indirectly indebted to or have any direct or indirect ownership, partnership or voting interest in any Affiliate of any Loan Party.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 3.22 Common Enterprise. The successful operation and condition of each of the Loan Parties is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group of the Loan Parties as a whole. Each Loan Party expects to derive benefit (and its board of directors or other governing body has determined that it may reasonably be expected to derive benefit), directly and indirectly, from (a) successful operations of each of the other Loan Parties as a whole and (b) the credit extended by the Lenders to the Borrower hereunder, both in their separate capacities and as members of the group of companies. Each Loan Party has determined that execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and any other Loan Documents to be executed by such Loan Party is within its purpose, in furtherance of its direct and/or indirect business interests, will be of direct and/or indirect benefit to such Loan Party, and is in its best interest.
SECTION 3.23 EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.




ARTICLE IV


CONDITIONS
SECTION 4.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(cv)Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) either (A) a counterpart of each other Loan Document signed on behalf of each party thereto or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page thereof) that each such party has signed a counterpart of such Loan Document and (iii) such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10 payable to the order of each such requesting Lender and a written opinion of the Loan Parties’ counsel (which may include the general counsel of the Borrower), addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(cw)Financial Statements and Projections. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower, as reflected in the audited, consolidated financial statements described in clause (i) of this paragraph and (iii) satisfactory quarterly projections for the Borrower’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, and annual projections for each of the Borrower’s fiscal years thereafter, through and including the Borrower’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
(cx)Officer’s Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its board of directors, board of managers, members or other governing body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, its Financial Officers, and (C) contain, as attachments, the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of such Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate, as of a recent date, for such Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for such Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.






Exhibit 10.23



(cy)Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and each other Loan Party, dated as of the Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of such date, (iii) stating that Availability for the Borrower is equal to or greater than $35,000,000 after giving effect to all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date, the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Effective Date, the consummation of the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses due hereunder, and (iv) certifying as to any other factual matters as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.
(cz)Fees. The Lenders, the Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Effective Date. All such amounts may be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Effective Date, in which case they will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date.
(da)Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction where the Loan Parties are organized and where the assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(db)Pay-Off Letter. The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory pay-off letters for all existing Indebtedness required to be repaid from the proceeds of the initial Borrowing, confirming that all Liens upon any of the property of the Loan Parties constituting Collateral will be terminated concurrently with such payment.
(dc)Funding Account. The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the deposit account of the Borrower (the “Funding Account”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrower to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.
(dd)Customer List. The Administrative Agent shall have received a true and complete customer list for each Loan Party, which list shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall be certified as true and correct by a Financial Officer.
(de)Collateral Access Agreements. The Administrative Agent shall have received each Collateral Access Agreement required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Security Agreement.
(df)Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of the Borrower signed by a Financial Officer dated the Effective Date.
(dg)Borrowing Base Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Borrowing Base as of a date specified by the Administrative Agent prior to or on the Effective Date with customary supporting schedules and documentation.
(dh)Closing Availability. After giving effect to all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date, the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Effective Date, the consummation of the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses due hereunder, and with all of the Loan Parties’ indebtedness, liabilities, and obligations current, Availability shall not be less than $35,000,000.
(di)Pledged Equity Interests; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates (if any) representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power or membership power, as applicable, for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) required to be pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.
(dj)Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.
(dk)Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 hereof and Section 4.12 of the Security Agreement.






Exhibit 10.23



(dl)Letter of Credit Application. If a Letter of Credit is requested to be issued on the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed letter of credit application (whether standalone or pursuant to a master agreement, as applicable). The Borrower shall have executed the Issuing Bank’s master agreement for the issuance of commercial Letters of Credit, if applicable.
(dm)Tax Withholding. The Administrative Agent shall have received the appropriate IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party, in each case, properly completed and signed.
(dn)Corporate Structure. The corporate structure, capital structure and other debt instruments, material accounts and governing documents of the Borrower and its Affiliates shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(do)Field Examination. The Administrative Agent or its designee shall have conducted a field examination of the Loan Parties’ Accounts, Inventory and such other information or materials as the Administrative Agent shall include within the scope of such field examination and audit, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(dp)Legal Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(dq)Appraisal(s).The Administrative Agent shall have received an appraisal of the applicable Loan Parties’ Inventory from one or more firms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which appraisal shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(dr)USA PATRIOT Act, Etc. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, for each Loan Party.
(ds)Government and Third Party Consents and Approvals. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all consents and approvals, if any, required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the Transactions (including member and shareholder approvals) have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(dt)Material Adverse Change. No event shall have occurred and no condition shall exist which has had or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(du)Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., Houston time, on February 28, 2018 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).
SECTION 4.02  Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(dv)The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty which is subject to any materiality qualifier shall be required to be true and correct in all respects).
(dw)At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) no Protective Advance shall be outstanding.
(dx)After giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, Availability shall not be less than zero.
(dy)If the Non-Loan Party Cash Balance (including the Dollar Equivalent of any Non-Loan Party Cash Balance denominated in any other currency) is greater than $50,000,000 during the Cash Balance Testing Period, then after giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, Availability shall not be less than $25,000,000.






Exhibit 10.23



Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section.
Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue to make Loans and an Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue, amend, renew or extend, or cause to be issued, amended, renewed or extended, any Letter of Credit for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if the Administrative Agent believes that making such Loans or issuing, amending, renewing or extending, or causing the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of, any such Letter of Credit is in the best interests of the Lenders.
ARTICLE V


AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent:
(dz)within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or another independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, accompanied by any management letter prepared by said accountants;
(ea)within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(eb)concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a compliance certificate of a Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit D (i) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (a) or (b) above, as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.12, if applicable and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to clause (a) above and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;
(ec)within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, but in any event no more than thirty (30) days prior to the end of the previous fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) of the Borrower for each fiscal quarter of the upcoming fiscal year (the “Projections”) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(ed)as soon as available but in any event within twenty-five (25) days of the end of each calendar month, and at such other times as may be necessary to re-determine Availability or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, as of the period then ended, a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information 






Exhibit 10.23



in connection therewith together with any additional reports with respect to the Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request provided that, at any time an Activation Period exists, a Borrowing Base Certificate shall be delivered weekly within three (3) Business Days after the end of each calendar week;
(ee)as soon as available but in any event within twenty-five (25) days of the end of each calendar month, and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, as of the period then ended, all delivered electronically in a text formatted file reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent:
(i)a detailed aging of the Loan Parties’ Accounts, including all invoices aged by invoice date and due date (with an explanation of the terms offered), prepared in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with a summary specifying the name, address, and balance due for each Account Debtor;
(ii)a schedule detailing the Loan Parties’ Inventory, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (A) by location (showing Inventory in transit and any Inventory located with a third party under any consignment, bailee arrangement or warehouse agreement), by class (raw material, work-in-process and finished goods), by product type, and by volume on hand, which Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market and adjusted for Reserves as the Administrative Agent has previously indicated to the Borrower are deemed by the Administrative Agent to be appropriate, and (B) including a report of any variances or other results of Inventory counts performed by the Loan Parties since the last Inventory schedule (including information regarding sales or other reductions, additions, returns, credits issued by the Loan Parties and claims made against the Loan Parties with respect thereto);
(iii)a worksheet of calculations prepared by the Borrower to determine Eligible Accounts, Eligible Bill-And-Hold Accounts and Eligible Inventory, such worksheets detailing the Accounts and Inventory excluded from Eligible Accounts, Eligible Bill-And-Hold Accounts and Eligible Inventory and the reason for such exclusion; and
(iv)a report setting forth in reasonable detail the physical location of the goods giving rise to any Eligible Bill-And-Hold Accounts;
provided, that at any time an Activation Period exists, the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may require delivery of the information required by this clause (f) weekly within three (3) Business Days after the end of each calendar week;
(ef)as soon as available but in any event within twenty-five (25) days of the end of each calendar month and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, as of the month then ended, a schedule and aging of the Borrower’s accounts payable, delivered electronically in a text formatted file reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided, that at any time an Activation Period exists, the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may require delivery of the information required by this clause (g) weekly within three (3) Business Days after the end of each calendar week;
(eg)promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request:
(i)copies of invoices issued by the Loan Parties in connection with any Accounts, credit memos, shipping and delivery documents, and other information related thereto;
(ii)copies of purchase orders, invoices, and shipping and delivery documents in connection with any Inventory purchased by any Loan Party; 
(iii)a schedule detailing the balance of all intercompany accounts of the Loan Parties;
(iv)an updated customer list for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which list shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and delivered electronically in a text formatted file reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified as true and correct by a Financial Officer; and
(v)for the calendar month most recently ended, the Borrower’s sales journal, cash receipts journal (identifying trade and non-trade cash receipts) and debit memo/credit memo journal; 
(eh)promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, if applicable, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;
(ei)promptly after any request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any 






Exhibit 10.23



ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or the applicable ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents and notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; and
(ej)promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, material changes in ownership of Equity Interests, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (i) of this Section 5.01 and Section 5.02(f) may (but shall not be required to) be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which (i) the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on its website on the Internet to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender has access (located at http://www.dril-quip.com) or (ii) such documents are posted on the Internet website of the SEC (http://www.sec.gov) on the Borrower’s behalf; provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent or any Lender requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above. 
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt (but in any event within any time period that may be specified below) written notice of the following:
(ek)the occurrence of any Default;
(el)receipt of any written notice of any investigation by a Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that (i) seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (v) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose Environmental Liability, (vi)  asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 in respect of any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge, or (vii) involves any recall of a product manufactured or sold by a Loan Party;
(em)any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) or claim made or asserted against any of the Collateral;
(en)any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $5,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;
(eo)within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, any and all default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or public warehouse where Collateral is located;
(ep)all material amendments to or terminations of any Material Indebtedness, if any, together with a copy of each such amendment or termination;
(eq)within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence thereof, any Loan Party entering into a Swap Agreement or an amendment thereto, together with copies of all agreements evidencing such Swap Agreement or amendment;
(er)the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000; and
(es)any other development that results, or would reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section 5.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto as of the time of such notice.
SECTION 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, intellectual 






Exhibit 10.23



property rights, licenses and permits material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03, and (b) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted.
SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all (x) Taxes, (y) Material Indebtedness and (z) all other liabilities and obligations that would result in liabilities, in an aggregate amount under this clause (z), exceeding $5,000,000, in each case for the preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z), before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropri-ate proceedings, (b) such Loan Party or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.
SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
SECTION 5.06  Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent (including employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any consultants, accountants, lawyers, agents, field examiners and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior written notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct at such Loan Party’s premises field examinations of such Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making extracts from its books and records, environmental assessment reports and Phase I or Phase II studies, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested. The applicable Loan Party shall have the right to accompany any such representative designated by the Administrative Agent during any such inspection. Each Loan Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to such Loan Party’s assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may conduct, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of, one (1) field examination during any 12-month period, provided, that one (1) additional field examination (for the total of two (2) such field examinations during any 12-month period) may be conducted at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 30% of the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Commitment; provided, further, that there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of field examinations conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any field examinations conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 5.07 Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) comply in all material respects with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
SECTION 5.08 Use of Proceeds.
(et)The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit will be used only to finance expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and for the working capital needs, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, to finance Permitted Acquisitions and expenses incurred in connection therewith. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.






Exhibit 10.23



(eu)The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent that such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or the European Union, or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
SECTION 5.09 Accuracy of Information. The Loan Parties will ensure that any information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section 5.09; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties will only ensure that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
SECTION 5.10 Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers having a financial strength rating of at least A- by A.M. Best Company (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including, without limitation: loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents. The Borrower will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.
SECTION 5.11 Casualty and Condemnation. The Borrower will (a) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) ensure that the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.
SECTION 5.12 Appraisals. At any time that the Administrative Agent requests, the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, provide the Administrative Agent with appraisals or updates thereof of its Inventory from an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent, and prepared on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of no more than one (1) Inventory appraisal during any 12-month period, provided, that one (1) additional Inventory appraisal (for the total of two (2) such Inventory appraisals during any 12-month period) may be conducted at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 30% of the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Commitment. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of Inventory appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 5.13 Depository Banks. Commencing on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) and at all times thereafter, the Borrower and each Subsidiary will maintain the Administrative Agent as its principal depository bank in the United States, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall prohibit the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from maintaining any Excluded Deposit Account with a depository bank other than the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 5.14 Additional Collateral; Further Assurances.
(ev)Subject to any applicable Requirement of Law, each Loan Party will cause each Significant Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement within thirty (30) days of such formation or acquisition. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and 






Exhibit 10.23



thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties, and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral. 
(ew)Subject to Section 5.15(b)(ii), each Loan Party will cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its Significant Domestic Subsidiaries (other than any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that (1) would not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of any CFC as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such CFC’s U.S. parent and (2) would not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Significant Domestic Subsidiary that is a FSHCO and each Significant Foreign Subsidiary to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents or other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. 
(ex)Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.14, if as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, (i) the aggregate Total Assets (without duplication) of (A) all Domestic Subsidiaries (other than any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) which are not Loan Parties and (B) all FSHCOs and First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries, in each case, whose Equity Interests are not subject to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent in accordance with and subject to the limits in Section 5.14(b) (collectively, the “Excluded Subsidiaries”) (when combined with the assets of their respective subsidiaries, after eliminating intercompany obligations) are equal to or greater than 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on such date or (ii) the aggregate EBITDA of all Excluded Subsidiaries (determined as if references to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the definitions of “EBITDA”, “Interest Expense” and “Net Income” were references to each such Excluded Subsidiary and its subsidiaries) is equal to or greater than 5% of EBITDA, then the Borrower shall, no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which financial statements for such fiscal quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b), cause (x) additional Subsidiaries to become Loan Guarantors in accordance with Section 5.14(a) and/or (y) the Equity Interests in additional Subsidiaries to become subject to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent in accordance with and subject to the limits in Section 5.14(b), to the extent necessary for the aggregate Total Assets of the Excluded Subsidiaries to account for less than 5% of the Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the aggregate EBITDA of the Excluded Subsidiaries to account for less than 5% of EBITDA; provided that EBITDA for all purposes under this Section 5.14(c) shall be calculated for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower. 
(ey)Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Loan Parties.
(ez)If any material assets (excluding any Excluded Assets) are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien under the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower will (i) notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and (ii) take, and cause each applicable Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.
(fa)Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.14, if the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurs Permitted Acquisition Debt which Permitted Acquisition Debt is secured by Excluded Assets, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree to release any Liens in their favor on such Excluded Assets (if any), upon the written request of the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 9.02(c)(A).
SECTION 5.15 Post-Closing Obligations. 






Exhibit 10.23



(fb)With respect to any deposit account, securities account or commodity account of the Borrower or any Loan Party other than any Excluded Deposit Accounts or De Minimis Accounts (each term as defined in the Security Agreement), within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party will either (a) close such account, provide evidence of such closure satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and transfer the remaining balance of such account, if any, to an account held with JPMCB, or (b) provide to the Administrative Agent a Deposit Account Control Agreement, Securities Account Control Agreement or Commodity Account Control Agreement, as applicable, for such account in accordance with Section 4.13 of the Security Agreement.  
(fc)Within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Borrower and each applicable Subsidiary will, and will cause each applicable Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments (each to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01 and/or the equivalents of any of the foregoing in the applicable foreign jurisdictions, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may reasonably request:
(i) to cause the Equity Interests of Dril-Quip Brazil to be subject to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in accordance with and subject to the limits in Section 5.14 and pursuant to the other terms and conditions of the Loan Documents; and
(ii)to cause the Equity Interests of DRQ to be subject to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in accordance with and subject to the limits in Section 5.14 and pursuant to the other terms and conditions of the Loan Documents (the “DRQ Pledge”); provided that, if, after the Effective Date, the Borrower reasonably determines in good faith, upon consultation with its outside advisors, that providing the DRQ Pledge would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Borrower shall inform the Administrative Agent in writing of such determination and, in lieu of delivering the DRQ Pledge, shall comply with the requirements of Section 5.15(c) below. 
(fd)If the Borrower reasonably determines not to provide the DRQ Pledge in accordance with the proviso to Section 5.15(b)(ii), then the Borrower and each applicable Subsidiary will (i) within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), cause (A) each Person that directly holds any Equity Interests in DRQ (each, a “DRQ Parent”) that is not then a Loan Party to become a Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement, whereupon each such DRQ Parent shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor and shall grant Liens to the Administrative Agent in any of its property constituting Collateral (other than any Equity Interests of DRQ held by such DRQ Parent) and (B) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each DRQ Parent to become subject to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) cause 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of DRQ and each DRQ Parent to be held by one or more Loan Parties at all times. 
(fe)The Borrower’s failure to comply with any requirement of this Section 5.15 on or before the dates specified in this Section 5.15 shall constitute an immediate Event of Default. 


ARTICLE VI


NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(ff)the Secured Obligations;
(fg)Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (g) hereof;
(fh)Indebtedness consisting of letters of credit or bank guarantees in an aggregate amount not to exceed $16,000,000;






Exhibit 10.23



(fi)Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(fj)Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (e) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations;
(fk)term loan Indebtedness, on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in connection with, or to finance, an Acquisition with a purchase price greater than or equal to $25,000,000, and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with such Acquisition, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (g) below; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within one hundred twenty (120) days after such Acquisition, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (f) together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (g) below, does not exceed $200,000,000 at any time outstanding, (iii) if any such Indebtedness is secured, (A) such Indebtedness is only secured by Liens permitted under Section 6.02(d), (B) such Indebtedness is not secured by any Collateral and (C) the Administrative Agent has received all documentation required to be delivered in connection therewith under Section 6.02(d)(ii), as applicable (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Permitted Acquisition Debt”);
(fl)Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b) and (f) and (i) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount of the Original Indebtedness, (ii) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the interest rate of the Original Indebtedness, except as necessary to reflect market terms and conditions at the time of the incurrence or issuance of such Refinance Indebtedness (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith) (iii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iv) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (v) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (vi) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness other than fees and interests are not less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (vii) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness;
(fm)Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; 
(fn)Capital Lease Obligations not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;
(fo)Swap Agreement Obligations permitted by Section 6.07;
(fp)Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business; and
(fq)Subordinated Indebtedness and other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any time.
SECTION 6.02 Liens. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset (including, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) real property and (ii) patents, copyrights, trademarks or licenses) now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
(fr)Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;
(fs)Permitted Encumbrances;






Exhibit 10.23



(ft)any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
(fu)Liens on fixed or capital assets, including real property, improvements, fixtures and equipment, acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Collateral); provided that, (i) only Permitted Acquisition Debt is secured by such Liens, (ii) with respect to any Liens on real property where any Collateral is located or to be located, the holders of Permitted Acquisition Debt (or an agent or representative thereof) have, concurrently with the incurrence thereof, delivered to the Administrative Agent such documentation as the Administrative Agent may require to establish the Administrative Agent’s access to, and rights and interests in respect of, such Collateral, before, during and after any exercise of remedies by any such holder of Permitted Acquisition Debt (or an agent or representative thereof), (iii) such Liens and the Permitted Acquisition Debt secured thereby are incurred prior to or within one hundred twenty (120) days after such Acquisition, construction or improvement, (iv) the Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed 100% of the cost of such Acquisition, construction or improvement, and (v) such Liens do not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(fv)any Lien existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Loan Party; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Loan Party and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Loan Party, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
(fw)(i) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon and (ii) banker’s Liens and customary contractual rights of setoff arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to funds and securities in accounts maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with banks or other financial institutions and not given in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness;
(fx)Liens arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;
(fy)Liens that secure, or are deemed to secure, (i) Capital Lease Obligations permitted by Section 6.01(i) and (ii) any other lease obligations incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; 
(fz)Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of the Borrower or another Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary; and
(ga)Liens on cash or Permitted Investments securing Indebtedness owing under Section 6.01(c); provided, that such Liens do not secure obligations in excess of 105% of the stated amount of such Indebtedness.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Liens permitted pursuant to this Section 6.02 may at any time attach to (x) any Loan Party’s (A) Accounts, other than those permitted under clause (a) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above and (B) Inventory, other than those permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above and (y) any Equity Interest of any Subsidiary, other than those permitted under clauses (a) and (b) above.
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes.
(gb)No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party may merge into (A) the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity, (B) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party or (C) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (ii) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) may merge into any other Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party and (iii) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders (it being understood that in the case of any liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, such Subsidiary shall at or before the time of such liquidation or dissolution transfer all its assets to another Subsidiary that is a Loan Party); 






Exhibit 10.23



provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.
(gc)No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto.
(gd)No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.
(ge)No Loan Party will change the accounting basis upon which its financial statements are prepared.
(gf)No Loan Party will change the tax filing elections it has made under the Code.
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, form any subsidiary after the Effective Date, or purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any evidence of Indebtedness or Equity Interests or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise) (in each case, an “Investment”), except:
(gg)Permitted Investments;
(gh)Investments in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule 6.04;
(gi)Investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, provided that (i) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to in Section 5.13) and (ii) the aggregate amount of Investments by Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall (A) not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case, determined at the time of making each such Investment and without regard to any write-downs or write-offs) or (B) be subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto;
(gj)loans or advances made by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement and (ii) the amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (together with outstanding Investments permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall (A) not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs) or (B) be subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto;
(gk)Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party (together with outstanding Investments permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (ii) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d)) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs);
(gl)loans or advances made by a Loan Party to its employees on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $250,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;
(gm)notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the ordinary course of business;
(gn)Investments in, or deemed to be made in, Account Debtors by virtue of extended payment terms granted in the ordinary course of business for some or all of such Account Debtor’s Accounts;
(go)Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;
(gp)Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (including in connection with a permitted acquisition) so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;
(gq)Investments received in connection with the disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05; 






Exhibit 10.23



(gr)Investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances”;
(gs)Investments in Permitted Acquisitions, subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment;
(gt)Investments in property, the payments for which constitute Capital Lease Obligations permitted by Section 6.01(i); and
(gu)other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time.
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to the Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:
(gv)sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business;
(gw)sales, transfers and dispositions of assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09; provided, further that compliance with Section 6.09(a)(i) shall not be required, subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such sale, transfer or disposition;
(gx)sales, transfers and dispositions of Accounts in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;
(gy)sales, transfers and dispositions of Permitted Investments and other investments permitted by clauses (i) and (k) of Section 6.04;
(gz)Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;
(ha)dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; 
(hb)the sale to Ardyne of TIW Corporation’s casing pulling tool business comprised of approximately twenty-four (24) casing pulling tools and the associated intellectual property, provided that the aggregate fair market value of such sale made in reliance upon this paragraph (g) shall not exceed $10,000,000;
(hc)licenses, sublicenses, leases and subleases, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; and
(hd)sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold) that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section, provided that the aggregate net book value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (i) shall not exceed $5,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Borrower;
provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other than those permitted by paragraphs (b), (c) and (f) above) shall be made for fair value and for at least 75% cash consideration.
SECTION 6.06 Sale and Leaseback Transactions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”), except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within ninety (90) days after the Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset.
SECTION 6.07 Swap Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.
(he)No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) the 






Exhibit 10.23



Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests, and, with respect to its preferred Equity Interests, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred Equity Interests or in shares of its Equity Interests, (ii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (iii) the Borrower may purchase its Equity Interests from employees upon vesting of stock awards in order to satisfy any tax withholding obligations with respect to such vesting, provided that the aggregate amount of all such purchases made during any fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000 and (iv) the Borrower may make other Restricted Payments, including any Restricted Payment with respect to its preferred Equity Interests, so long as the Payment Condition is satisfied on a pro forma basis at the time such Restricted Payment is made and after giving effect to such payment.
(hf)No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Indebtedness, except:
(i)payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(ii)payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of the Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;
(iii)refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01; 
(iv)payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05; and
(v)voluntary prepayments of Indebtedness, so long as the Payment Condition is satisfied on a pro forma basis at the time such voluntary prepayment is made and after giving effect to such prepayment.
SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any investment permitted by Sections 6.04(c) or 6.04(d), (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c), (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04, (g) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, Equity Interest options and Equity Interest ownership plans approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, board of managers or other governing body, as applicable.
SECTION 6.10 Restrictive Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any Requirement of Law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (vi) clause (b) of 






Exhibit 10.23



the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in any agreement relating to Permitted Acquisition Debt that is no more restrictive or burdensome than the comparable provision in this Agreement.
SECTION 6.11 Amendment of Material Documents. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness, or (b) its charter, articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents, in each case, to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be materially adverse to the Lenders.
SECTION 6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. When an Activation Period is in effect, the Borrower will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, to be less than 1.00 to 1.00, commencing with the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to the commencement of such Activation Period for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01(b) and for each fiscal quarter thereafter during which the Activation Period remains in effect.


ARTICLE VII


EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
(hg)the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(hh)the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;
(hi)any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially incorrect (without duplication of any materiality qualifier therein) when made or deemed made; provided that, if (i) such Loan Party or Subsidiary was not aware that such representation or warranty was incorrect at the time such representation or warranty was made or deemed made, (ii) the fact, event or circumstance resulting in such incorrect representation or warranty is capable of being cured, corrected or otherwise remedied and (iii) such fact, event or circumstance resulting in such incorrect representation or warranty shall have been cured, corrected or otherwise remedied within thirty (30) days from the date a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party or Subsidiary obtains knowledge thereof (including, without limitation, upon notice by the Administrative Agent or any Lender), such incorrect representation or warranty shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default for purposes of the Loan Documents;
(hj)any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to a Loan Party’s existence), 5.08, 5.14, 5.15 or in Article VI;
(hk)any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agree-ment contained in this Agreement (other than those which constitute a default under another clause of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of (i) five (5) Business Days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s Knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of Section 5.01, 5.02 (other than Section 5.02(a)), 5.04, 5.07, 5.10, or 5.13 of this Agreement or (ii) thirty (30) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s Knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of any other Section of this Agreement, provided that, with respect to the foregoing clause (ii), (A) if such failure does not involve the payment of money to any Person and is not susceptible to cure within such thirty (30)-day period, (B) such Person is proceeding with diligence and good faith to cure such failure and such failure is susceptible to cure and (C) the existence of such failure has not had, and would not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, such thirty (30)-day period may be extended in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted 






Exhibit 10.23



Discretion as may be necessary to cure such failure, such extended period not to exceed sixty (60) days in the aggregate (inclusive of the original thirty (30)-day period);
(hl)any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable;
(hm)(i) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness under any Swap Agreement) becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by Section 6.05 or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Agreement an Early Termination Date (or similar term, as defined in such Swap Agreement) resulting from (A) an event of default under such Swap Agreement as to which a Loan Party or a Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (or similar term, as defined in such Swap Agreement) or (B) any Termination Event (or similar term, as defined in such Swap Contract) under such Swap Agreement (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both), and, in either event, the maximum aggregate payment owed by the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary thereunder (giving effect to any netting agreements) exceeds $10,000,000; 
(hn)an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(ho)any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar offi-cial for such Loan Party or such Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admit-ting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the fore-going;
(hp)any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(hq)(i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least A- by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage) and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment; or (ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail within thirty (30) days to discharge one or more non-monetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgments or orders, in any such case, are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;
(hr)an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(hs)a Change in Control shall occur;
(ht)the occurrence of any “default”, as defined in any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace therein provided (other than any such default or breach by the Administrative Agent or any Lender);
(hu)the Loan Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty or any Loan Guarantor shall fail to comply with 






Exhibit 10.23



any of the terms or provisions of the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party beyond any period of grace therein provided, or any Loan Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty or any Obligation Guaranty to which it is a party, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08;
(hv)except as permitted by the terms of any Collateral Document, (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby or (ii) any Lien securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien, provided, that an Event of Default under this clause (p) shall not be deemed to have occurred so long as the aggregate value of all Collateral affected by any event described in the foregoing subclauses (i) and (ii) does not exceed $500,000 at any time;
(hw)any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken by any Loan Party to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document; or
(hx)any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (other than solely as a result of acts or omissions on the part of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or their respective counsel) or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any material provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms; 
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments (including the Swingline Commitment), whereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, but ratably as among the Classes of Loans and the Loans of each Class at the time outstanding, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower, and (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments (including the Swingline Commitment) shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and the cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.
ARTICLE VIII


THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 8.01 Appointment. Each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the U.S., each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf. (a) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank), and (b) the Loan Parties shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” as used herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any 






Exhibit 10.23



applicable law. Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.
SECTION 8.02 Rights as a Lender. The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
SECTION 8.03 Duties and Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and, (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or the existence of the Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions of this Agreement relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not ý(x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified ýInstitution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any ýDisqualified Institution.ý Each Lender represents and warrants to the parties hereto that at the time it becomes a Lender, it is not a Disqualified Institution.
SECTION 8.04 Reliance. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 8.05 Actions through Sub-Agents. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 8.06 Resignation. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York having assets at such time in excess of $10,000,000,000, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by its successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor, unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and such successor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this paragraph (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duly or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (b) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, provided that (i) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (ii) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall also directly be given or made to each Lender and the Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.
SECTION 8.07 Non-Reliance.
(hy)Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities. Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger of this credit facility or any amendment thereto or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger of this credit facility or any amendment thereto or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and informa-tion (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a Lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.
(hz)Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the Administrative Agent (A) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or 






Exhibit 10.23



omission contained in or relating to a Report and (B) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report; (iii) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel and that the Administrative Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (iv) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, (A) it will hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any extension of credit that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (B) it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.
SECTION 8.08 Other Agency Titles. The Lenders (or Affiliates thereof) identified in this Agreement, or hereafter appointed by the Administrative Agent as “Documentation Agent”, “Lead Arranger”, “Bookrunner”, “Syndication Agent” or other similar titles shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders in their respective capacities as “Documentation Agent”, “Lead Arranger”, “Bookrunner”, “Syndication Agent” or similar capacities, as applicable, as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.
SECTION 8.09 Not Partners or Co-Venturers; Administrative Agent as Representative of the Secured Parties.
(ia)The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Administrative Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Lenders to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Loan after the date such principal or interest has become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(ib)In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC. Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into each of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to take all action contemplated by such documents. Each Lender agrees that no Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) shall have the right individually to seek to realize upon the security granted by any Collateral Document, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of the Collateral Documents. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.
SECTION 8.10 Flood Laws. JPMCB has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “Flood Laws”). JPMCB, as administrative agent or collateral agent on a syndicated facility, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender in the syndicate) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws. However, JPMCB reminds each Lender and Participant in the facility that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or Participant in the facility) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the flood insurance requirements.


ARTICLE IX


MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01 Notices.
(ic)Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or Electronic Systems (and subject in each case to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided 






Exhibit 10.23



for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile, as follows:
(i)if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower at:
Dril-Quip, Inc.
6401 N. Eldridge Parkway
Houston, Texas 77041
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No: (713) 939-5329


with a copy to:
Dril-Quip, Inc.
6401 N. Eldridge Parkway
Houston, Texas 77041
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No: (713) 690-6303


(ii)if to the Administrative Agent, JPMCB in its capacity as an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
2200 Ross Avenue, 9th Floor
Mail Code: TX1-2905
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Ross Gilbert
Facsimile No: (214) 965-2594


provided, that any DQ List or any updates thereto on or after the Effective Date must be sent via electronic mail to JPMDQ_Contact@jpmorgan.com to be deemed received by the Administrative Agent.


(iii)if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
All such notices and other communications (i) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, (ii) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient, or (iii) delivered through Electronic Systems to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.
(id)Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender (provided further that, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will deliver original copies of any compliance and no Default certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) promptly after the delivery thereof by Electronic Systems). Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, 






Exhibit 10.23



e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.
(ie)Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
(if)Electronic Systems.
(i)Each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.
(ii)Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through an Electronic System. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments.
(ig)No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(ih)Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.09(f) (with respect to any commitment increase) and subject to Section 2.14(c) and subject to Section 9.02(e) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or (y) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby (provided that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or any defined term used therein) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18






Exhibit 10.23



(b) or (d) in a manner that would alter the manner in which payments are shared, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (v) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base or add new categories of eligible assets, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (vii) change Section 2.20, without the consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (viii) release any Guarantor from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty or Obligation Guaranty, as applicable (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or (ix) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.06 or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively. The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class), may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.
(ii)The Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if the Loan Party disposing of such property certifies to the Administrative Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the property being sold or disposed of constitutes 100% of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release any Loan Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary, (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders; provided that, the Administrative Agent may in its discretion, (A) release its Liens on any Excluded Assets and (B) release its Liens on Collateral valued in the aggregate not in excess of $2,000,000 during any fiscal year without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders (it being agreed that the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on one or more certificates of the Borrower as to the value of any Collateral to be so released, without further inquiry). Any such subordination or release, as applicable, shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such subordination or release, as applicable, shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
(ij)If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrower may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree, as of such date, 






Exhibit 10.23



to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause  (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (A) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (B) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.
(ik)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(il)The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, pay all (i) reasonable out‐of‐pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through an Electronic System) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. Expenses being reimbursed by the Loan Parties under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with:
(i)Collateral monitoring, Collateral reviews, appraisals and insurance reviews;
(ii)field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination;
(iii)background checks regarding senior management and/or key investors, as deemed necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent;
(iv)Taxes, fees and other charges for (A) lien searches and (B) filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Administrative Agent’s Liens;
(v)sums paid or incurred to take any action required of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents that such Loan Party fails to pay or take; and
(vi)forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.
All of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses may be charged to the Borrower as Revolving Loans or to another deposit account, all as described in Section 2.18(c).
(im)The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, incremental taxes, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly 






Exhibit 10.23



comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, (iv) the failure of a Loan Party to deliver to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence with respect to a payment made by a Loan Party for Taxes pursuant to Section 2.17, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
(in)To the extent that any Loan Party fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing) under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing), as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that any such payment by the Lenders shall not relieve any Loan Party of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, penalty, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.
(io)To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this paragraph (d) shall relieve any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.
(ip)All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) days after written demand therefor.
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns.
(iq)The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly provided herein, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(ir)(i)    Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution, it being understood that any Disqualified Institution is subject to Section 9.04(e)) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A)the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any 






Exhibit 10.23



applicable Lender, and provided further that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;
(B)the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender (unless such Lender is a Defaulting Lender);
(C)the Issuing Bank, provided that no consent of the Issuing Bank shall be required for an assignment to a Lender (unless such Lender is a Defaulting Lender); and
(D)the Swingline Lender, provided that no consent of the Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment to a Lender (unless such Lender is a Defaulting Lender).
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(E)except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(F)each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;
(G)the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(H)the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Ineligible Institution” means a (a) natural person, (b) Defaulting Lender or its Parent, (c) Disqualified Institution, provided that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (i) post the list of Disqualified Institutions provided by the Borrower and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on the Platform, including that portion of the Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders, as applicable and/or (ii) provide such list and such updates thereto to each Lender requesting the same, (d) holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof; provided that, such holding company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $500,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; provided that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, any Person (other than a Lender) shall be an Ineligible Institution if after giving effect to any proposed assignment to such Person, such Person would hold more than 25% of the then outstanding Aggregate Revolving Exposure or Commitments, as the case may be or (d) a Loan Party or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Loan Party.






Exhibit 10.23



(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obliga-tions under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) other than an Ineligible Institution in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) and (g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information and documentation required under Section 2.17(g) will be delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b)) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, 






Exhibit 10.23



than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.
Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(d) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(e) (i) No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or participate all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Borrower has consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation).  For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (x) such assignee shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender and (y) the execution by the Borrower of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.  
(ii) If any assignment or participation is made to any Disqualified Institution without the Borrower’s prior written consent in violation of clause (e)(i) above, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, require such Disqualified Institution to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.04), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Persons that meet the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.04(b) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required thereunder) at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and] (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.  


(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (A) Disqualified Institutions will not (x) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender (other than any disclosure of the DQ List made in accordance with Section 9.02(f)), (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders; it being understood and agreed that the foregoing provisions shall only apply to a Disqualified Institution and not to any assignee of such Disqualified Institution that becomes a Lender so long as such assignee is not a Disqualified Institution and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or 






Exhibit 10.23



modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (a “Bankruptcy Plan”), each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such Bankruptcy Plan, (2) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such Bankruptcy Plan notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such Bankruptcy Plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by any applicable court of competent jurisdiction effectuating the foregoing clause (2).


SECTION 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instru-ments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstand-ing and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) increases or reductions of the Issuing Bank Sublimit of the Issuing Bank constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
SECTION 9.07 Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any of and all the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured. The applicable Lender shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such set-off or application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such set-off or application under this Section. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.
(b) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. Federal or Texas State court sitting in Houston, Texas in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its proper-ties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 9.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY ATTORNEY) OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors that need to know such Information (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or by any subpoena 






Exhibit 10.23



or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any bona fide prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or bona fide prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations (it being understood and agreed that the DQ List may be disclosed to any such actual or bona fide prospective assignee, Participant or counterparty in reliance on this clause (f)), (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information (including any Projections) received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information (other than Projections, which shall be deemed confidential whether or not so identified) is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
SECTION 9.13 Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrower in violation of any Requirement of Law.
SECTION 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 9.15 Disclosure. Each Loan Party, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates. 
SECTION 9.16 Appointment for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.
SECTION 9.17 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
SECTION 9.18 Marketing Consent. The Borrower hereby authorizes JPMCB and its affiliates (collectively, the “JPMCB Parties”), at their respective sole expense, but without any prior approval by the Borrower, to publish such tombstones and give such other publicity to this Agreement as each may from time to time determine in its sole discretion, subject, in all instances, to the provisions of Section 9.12. The foregoing authorization shall remain in effect unless and until the Borrower notifies JPMCB in writing that such authorization is revoked.
SECTION 9.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(is)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(it)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
SECTION 9.20 No Fiduciary Duty, etc. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrower or any other person. The Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. The Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrower with respect thereto. The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit 






Exhibit 10.23



Party, together with its affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Borrower and other companies with which the Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion. In addition, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. The Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to the Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.
SECTION 9.21 Concerning Certificates. All certificates, statements and other declarations required hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be executed or made by a Responsible Officer shall be executed or made by such Responsible Officer solely on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, in his or her capacity as a Responsible Officer and not in any individual capacity.


ARTICLE X


LOAN GUARANTY
SECTION 10.01 Guaranty. Each Loan Guarantor (other than those that have delivered a separate Guaranty) hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations and all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Secured Parties in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, the Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (such costs and expenses, together with the Secured Obligations, collectively the “Guaranteed Obligations”; provided, however, that the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION 10.02 Guaranty of Payment. This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue the Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION 10.03 No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty.
(a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower or any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any 






Exhibit 10.23



Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.
(b) The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.
(c) Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of the Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).
SECTION 10.04 Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower or any other Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower, any other Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party or any other Person. Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.
SECTION 10.05 Rights of Subrogation. Until the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations, no Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against any Obligated Party or any collateral.
SECTION 10.06 Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10.07 Information. Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or 






Exhibit 10.23



any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.
SECTION 10.08 Termination. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank may continue to make loans or extend credit to the Borrower based on this Loan Guaranty until five (5) days after it receives written notice of termination from any Loan Guarantor. Notwithstanding receipt of any such notice, each Loan Guarantor will continue to be liable to the Lenders for any Guaranteed Obligations created, assumed or committed to prior to the fifth day after receipt of the notice, and all subsequent renewals, extensions, modifications and amendments with respect to, or substitutions for, all or any part of such Guaranteed Obligations. Nothing in this Section 10.08 shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of, or eliminate, limit, reduce or otherwise impair any rights or remedies the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have in respect of, any Default or Event of Default that shall exist under clause (o) of Article VII hereof as a result of any such notice of termination.
SECTION 10.09 Taxes. Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be made by each Loan Guarantor without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law. If any Loan Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Loan Guarantor may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.
SECTION 10.10 Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.
SECTION 10.11 Contribution.
(a) To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment and the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.
(b) As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.
(c) This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.
(d) The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.
(e) The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.






Exhibit 10.23



SECTION 10.12 Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.
SECTION 10.13 Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
(Signature Pages Follow)






















































































Exhibit 10.23



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.


DRIL-QUIP, INC.


	
		
	By:
	 /s/ Jeffrey Bird

	 
	Name: Jeffrey Bird

	 
	Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer






TIW CORPORATION




	
		
	By:
	 /s/ Jeffrey Bird    

	 
	Name: Jeffrey Bird

	 
	Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer








HONING, INC.




	
		
	By:
	 /s/ Jeffrey Bird

	 
	Name: Jeffrey Bird

	 
	Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




























































Exhibit 10.23





JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as a Lender and as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender




	
		
	By:
	/s/ Ross Gilbert

	 
	Name: Ross Gilbert

	 
	Title:  Authorized Officer










                                                                             HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender


	
		
	By:
	/s/ Michael L. Bustios

	 
	Name: Michael L. Bustios

	 
	Title:  Senior Vice President