Document:

exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated April 27, 2011 (this “Agreement”) is entered
into by and among SESI, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and
wholly owned subsidiary of Superior Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Parent”), the Parent, the guarantors listed in Schedule 1 hereto (together with the
Parent, the “Initial Guarantors”) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) as
the representative of the several initial purchasers named in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement
(as defined below) (the “Initial Purchasers”).

     The Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers are parties to the Purchase
Agreement dated April 20, 2011 (the “Purchase Agreement”), which provides for the sale by
the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s
6.375% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Securities”), which will be guaranteed on an unsecured
senior basis, jointly and severally, by each of the Guarantors. As an inducement to the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
closing under the Purchase Agreement.

     In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

     “Additional Guarantor” shall mean any subsidiary of the Parent or the Company that
executes a Guarantee under the Indenture after the date of this Agreement.

     “Business Day” shall mean 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.

     “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the
Company’s successors.

     “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.

     “Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

     “Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the Guarantors of
Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

     “Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act
effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

     “Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration
statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained

 

 

therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by
reference therein.

     “Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by
the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the
Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual
interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities
in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

     “FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

     “Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the
Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.

     “Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and guarantees of the
Exchange Securities by the Guarantors under the Indenture.

     “Guarantors” shall mean the Initial Guarantors, any Additional Guarantors and any
Guarantor’s successor that Guarantees the Securities.

     “Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable
Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become
owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that, for purposes of
Section 4 and Section 5 hereof, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

     “Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

     “Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

     “Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated as of April 27,
2011 among the Company, the Guarantors and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as
trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

     “Initial Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also
include their successors.

     “Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

     “Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiv) hereof.

     “Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

     “J.P. Morgan” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

     “Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or

2

 

approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder,
any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Parent, the Company or any of their
“affiliates” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in
determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage
or amount; and provided, further, that if the Company shall issue any additional
Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the
effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable
Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of
determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Securities has been obtained.

     “Notice and Questionnaire” shall mean a notice of registration statement and selling
security holder questionnaire distributed to a Holder by the Company upon receipt of a Shelf
Request from such Holder.

     “Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the
Parent’s successors.

     “Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof.

     “Participating Holder” shall mean any Holder of Registrable Securities that has
returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section
2(b) hereof.

     “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company,
corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.

     “Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any
preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other
amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated
by reference therein.

     “Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

     “Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the
Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect
to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been
exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities cease
to be outstanding, (iii) except in the case of Securities that otherwise remain Registrable
Securities and that are held by an Initial Purchaser and that are ineligible to be exchanged in the
Exchange Offer, when the Exchange Offer is consummated or (iv) when such Securities are actually
sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

     “Registration Default” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
Exchange Offer is not completed on or prior to the Target Registration Date, (ii) the Shelf

3

 

Registration Statement, if required pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or Section 2(b)(ii) hereof,
has not become effective on or prior to the Target Registration Date, (iii) if the Company receives
a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), the Shelf Registration Statement required to be
filed thereby has not become effective by the later of (a) the Target Registration Date and (b) 90
days after delivery of such Shelf Request, (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by
this Agreement, has become effective and thereafter ceases to be effective or the Prospectus
contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at
any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable
exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period or (v) the Shelf
Registration Statement, if required by this Agreement, has become effective and thereafter, on more
than two occasions in any 12-month period during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, the Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be
usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement.

     “Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or
compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i)
all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred
in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for any Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification
of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in
preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration
Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto,
any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other
documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency
fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under
applicable securities laws and the Trust Indenture Act, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the
Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the
Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one
counsel for the Participating Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Participating Holders
holding a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such
Participating Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii)
the fees and disbursements of the independent registered public accountants of the Company and the
Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or
incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses
of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the
Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if
any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

     “Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the
Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement,
including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or
deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

4

 

     “Requesting Participating Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(b) hereof.

     “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

     “Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

     “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

     “Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

     “Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b)
hereof.

     “Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the
Company and the Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other
securities unless approved by a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities held by
the Participating Holders) on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any
similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus
contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by
reference therein.

     “Shelf Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

     “Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

     “Target Registration Date” shall mean January 22, 2012.

     “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time
to time.

     “Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

     “Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.

     “Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are
sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

     2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) To the extent not prohibited by any
applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Guarantors shall use
their reasonable best efforts to (x) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities
and (y) have such Registration Statement become effective under the Securities Act. The Company
and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their reasonable best efforts to complete the
Exchange Offer not later than 60 days after such effective date.

5

 

     The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related
Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder
stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the
following:

	(i)	 	that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable
Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;
	 
	(ii)	 	the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days
from the date such notice is mailed (or longer if required by applicable law)) (the
“Exchange Dates”);
	 
	(iii)	 	that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue
interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified
herein;
	 
	(iv)	 	that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the
appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address and in the manner
specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the
applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to
the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and
	 
	(v)	 	that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of
business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) sending to the institution and at the address
specified in the notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name
of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a
statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or
(B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary
for the Registrable Securities.

     As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent
to the Company and the Guarantors in writing at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer
that (1) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of
its business, (2) it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of
the provisions of the Securities Act, (3) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) of the Company or any Guarantor and (4) if such Holder is not a
broker-dealer, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the
Exchange Securities and (5) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities
for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of
market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the
extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale
of such Exchange Securities.

     As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

6

 

	(I)	 	accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not
properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
	 
	(II)	 	deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities
or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee
to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal
amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for
exchange.

     The Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to complete the
Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the
Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the
Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, and
(ii) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted in any court or by any governmental agency
prohibiting the Company and the Guarantors from proceeding with the Exchange Offer.

     (b) In the event that (i) the Company and the Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer
Registration provided for in Section 2(a) hereof is not available or the Exchange Offer may not be
completed as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any
applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any
other reason completed by the Target Registration Date or (iii) upon receipt of a written request
(a “Shelf Request”) from any Initial Purchaser representing that it holds Registrable
Securities that are or were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the
Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable
after such determination, date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement
providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and to have such
Shelf Registration Statement become effective; provided that no Holder will be entitled to
have any Registrable Securities included in any Shelf Registration Statement, or entitled to use
the prospectus forming a part of such Shelf Registration Statement, until such Holder shall have
delivered a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire and provided such other information
regarding such Holder to the Company as is contemplated by Section 3(b) hereof.

     In the event that the Company and the Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the Guarantors shall
use their reasonable best efforts to file and have become effective both an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof with respect to all Registrable Securities
and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities
held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

     The Company and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective until the Securities cease to be Registrable
Securities (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”). The Company and the Guarantors further
agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus and any Free
Writing Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the

7

 

registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the
Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a
Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use
their reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and
such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to
become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company and the Guarantors agree to furnish
to the Participating Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being
used or filed with the SEC.

     (c) The Company and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any
registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all
underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating
to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement.

     (d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof will not be
deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC. A Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective
unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the
SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.

     If a Registration Default occurs, the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be
increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning on the day immediately
following such Registration Default and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each
subsequent 90-day period, in each case until and including the date such Registration Default ends,
up to a maximum increase of 1.00% per annum. A Registration Default ends when the Securities cease
to be Registrable Securities or, if earlier, (1) in the case of a Registration Default under clause
(i) of the definition thereof, when the Exchange Offer is completed, (2) in the case of a
Registration Default under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the definition thereof, when the Shelf
Registration Statement becomes effective or (3) in the case of a Registration Default under clause
(iv) or clause (v) of the definition thereof, when the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes
effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable. If at any time more than one Registration
Default has occurred and is continuing, then, until the next date that there is no Registration
Default, the increase in interest rate provided for by this paragraph shall apply as if there
occurred a single Registration Default that begins on the date that the earliest such Registration
Default occurred and ends on such next date that there is no Registration Default.

     (e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the
Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Guarantors to comply
with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material
irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy
at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in
the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may
be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section
2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof provided however that the additional interest provided for in Section
2(d) upon a Registration Default shall be the exclusive monetary

8

 

remedies for breach by the Company and the Guarantors of their obligations under Section 2(a)
and Section 2(b) hereof.

     3. Registration Procedures. (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to
Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall as expeditiously as
possible:

     (i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the
Securities Act, which form (A) shall be selected by the Company and the Guarantors, (B) shall, in
the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the
Holders thereof and (C) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith;
and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and
remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

     (ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each
Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the
applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented
by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section
4(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or
dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

     (iii) to the extent any Free Writing Prospectus is used, file with the SEC any Free Writing
Prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company or the Guarantors with the SEC in accordance
with the Securities Act and to retain any Free Writing Prospectus not required to be filed;

     (iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Participating Holder, to counsel for
the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Participating Holders and to each Underwriter of an
Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each
Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement
thereto, as such Participating Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and, subject to
Section 3(c) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus,
preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in
accordance with applicable law by each of the Participating Holders and any such Underwriters in
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner
described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

     (v) use their reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under
all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Participating Holder
shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes
effective; cooperate with such Participating Holders in connection with any filings

9

 

required to be made with FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Participating Holder to complete the disposition
in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Participating Holder;
provided that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to (1) qualify as a
foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it
would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent or take any action that
would subject it to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject itself to taxation
in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

     (vi) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration,
notify each Participating Holder and counsel for such Participating Holders promptly and, if
requested in writing by any such Participating Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing
(1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto
has been filed and becomes effective, when any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any
request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a
Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information
after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state
securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Company of any
notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the
applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of
Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any
Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar
agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and
correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Guarantor receives any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any
event known to the Company during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any
statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing
Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements
therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by the Company or any Guarantor that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the
Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus would be appropriate;

     (vii) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution
of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, including by
filing an amendment to such Registration Statement on the proper form, at the earliest possible
moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder or Participating Holder of the withdrawal of any
such order or such resolution;

     (viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Participating Holder, without
charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective

10

 

amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits
thereto, unless requested in writing);

     (ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Participating Holders to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities
to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be
issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the
Indenture) as such Participating Holders may reasonably request at least two Business Day prior to
the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

     (x) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(vi)(5) hereof, use their
reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment
to the applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement or the
related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference
or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted
by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus or Free
Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company and the Guarantors shall
notify the Participating Holders (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) and the Initial
Purchasers and any Participating Broker-Dealers known to the Company (in the case of an Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus as
promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Participating Holders, such
Participating Broker-Dealers and the Initial Purchasers, as applicable, hereby agree to suspend use
of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, until the Company and the
Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus or the Free Writing Prospectus, as the case
may be, to correct such misstatement or omission;

     (xi) within a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any
Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or
supplement to a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus or of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement, a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus
after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial
Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the
Participating Holders and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Company and
the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in
the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Participating Holders or their counsel) available
for discussion of such document; and the Company and the Guarantors shall not, at any time after
initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any Free Writing
Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or a Free
Writing Prospectus, or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration
Statement, a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their
counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Participating Holders and their
counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial
Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement,

11

 

the Participating Holders or their counsel) shall object within five Business Days of their
receipt thereof;

     (xii) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case
may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;

     (xiii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with
the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be;
cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture
Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all
documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to
be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

     (xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative
of the Participating Holders (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorneys and accountants designated
by a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities held by the Participating Holders and
any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a
reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the
Company and its subsidiaries as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the respective officers, directors and
employees of the Company and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any
such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration
Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by the Company or any
Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall take
such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information,
including agreeing in writing to maintain the confidentiality of such information, to the extent
such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and
interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter (except for disclosures to such Person’s
affiliates and its and their respective employees, legal counsel and other experts or agents who
need to know such information in connection with permitted uses thereof), unless disclosure thereof
is required or requested under compulsion of law (whether by oral question, interrogatory,
subpoena, civil investigative demand or otherwise), by order or act of any court or governmental or
regulatory authority or body, or such information is or has become available to the public
generally through the Company or any Guarantor or through a third party without an accompanying
obligation of confidentiality owed by such Person to the Company or the Guarantors, or disclosure
is required in connection with any suit, action or proceeding for the purpose of defending itself,
reducing its liability or protecting or exercising any of its rights, remedies or interests, or the
Company consents to the non-confidential treatment of such information;

     (xv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their reasonable best efforts to cause all
Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on
which similar securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor are then listed if
requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable
listing requirements;

12

 

     (xvi) if reasonably requested by any Participating Holder, promptly include in a
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such
Participating Holder as such Participating Holder determines is reasonably necessary to be included
therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective
amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be so included in such
filing; provided that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to take any action
hereunder that would, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, violate applicable law;

     (xvii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all
such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in
order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not
limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such
representations and warranties to the Participating Holders and any Underwriters of such
Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Parent and its subsidiaries and the
Registration Statement, Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and documents incorporated by
reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope
as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same
if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Guarantors (which
counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Participating Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each
Participating Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily
covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the
independent registered public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any
other registered public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Guarantor, or of any
business acquired by the Company or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data
are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each Participating
Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of
Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type
customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but
not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or Free
Writing Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested
by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the
Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the
continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors made
pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in
an underwriting agreement; and

     (xviii) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional
Guarantor upon the creation or acquisition by the Company of such Additional Guarantor, to execute
a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such
counterpart, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against such
entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof.

13

 

     (b) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require each Holder of
Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company a Notice and Questionnaire and such other
information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable
Securities as the Company and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

     (c) Each Participating Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the
Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(vi)(3) or Section
3(a)(vi)(5) hereof, such Participating Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Participating Holder’s receipt
of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(a)(x) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the Guarantors, such
Participating Holder will deliver to the Company and the Guarantors all copies in its possession,
other than permanent file copies then in such Participating Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus
and any Free Writing Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of
receipt of such notice.

     (d) If the Company and the Guarantors shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall
extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant
to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving
of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have
received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus necessary
to resume such dispositions. The Company and the Guarantors may give any such notice only twice
during any 365-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30 days for each suspension and
there shall not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365-day period.

     (e) The Participating Holders who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an
Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks
and manager or managers (each an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be
selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in
such offering.

     4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer. (a) The Staff has taken the
position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the
Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed
to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities (other than a resale of an unsold allotment of an Initial Purchaser resulting from the
original offering of the Securities).

     The Company and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution
containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may
resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-

14

 

Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be
delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to
purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection
with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise
meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

     (b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the
Company and the Guarantors agree to include a plan of distribution in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4(a) above and, if
requested by a Participating Broker-Dealer (a “Requesting Participating Broker-Dealer”),
the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective for a period of up to 180 days after the last
Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) hereof) or such earlier date
as all Requesting Participating Broker-Dealers shall have notified the Company in writing that such
Requesting Participating Broker-Dealers have resold all Exchange Securities acquired in the
Exchange Offer, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by
Participating Broker-Dealers. The Company and the Guarantors further agree that Requesting
Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent
permitted by law, make available) during such period in connection with the resales contemplated by
this Section 4.

     (c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Guarantor or any Holder
with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof.

     5. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their
respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial
Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including,
without limitation, legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any suit,
action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or
several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information”
(“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the
Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise
out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or
information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through J.P. Morgan or any
selling Holder, respectively, expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten
Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also
indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry
professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and

15

 

each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the
Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free
Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

     (b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Company
and the Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Guarantors who signed the Registration
Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser
and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20
of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only
with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon,
any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and
in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by
such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing
Prospectus.

     (c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation),
claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification
may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified
Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the
“Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or
(b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of
substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the
failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have
to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding
shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the
Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall be entitled to participate in and assume
the defense thereof and shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to
represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such
proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to
retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such
Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have
mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time
to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different
from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any
such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to
any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial

16

 

Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial
Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan, (y) for any Holder, its directors and
officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority
Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying
Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at
any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the
Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the
Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the
Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the
Indemnified Person in accordance with such request or disputed in good faith the Indemnified
Person’s entitlement to such reimbursement prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying
Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a
party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such
settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of
fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

     (d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an
Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying
such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the
Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by
the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act,
on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable
law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in
clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the
Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties’ relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission.

     (e) The Company, the Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d)
above. The

17

 

amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and
liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no
event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount
of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

     (f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any
rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

     (g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii)
any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person
controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company or the
Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Guarantors,
(iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

     6. General.

     (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Guarantors represent, warrant and agree
that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or
guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Company
nor any Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any
agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in
this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

     (b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of
this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the
written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent;
provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure
from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable
Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications,
supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by
each of the parties hereto.

18

 

     (c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall
be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or any courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such
Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section
6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in
the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Company and the Guarantors, initially at the Company’s
address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which
is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at
their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other
address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such
notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand,
if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if
mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely
delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands
or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the
Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

     (d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and
without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing
herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee
of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or
otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement,
and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to
have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and
such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their
capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the
Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of,
any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

     (e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the
agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial
Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the
extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
other Holders hereunder.

     (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     (g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a
part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

19

 

     (h) Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or
related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York.

     (j) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings
with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement
is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public
policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall
remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The
Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to
replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

[signatures follow]

20

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	SESI, L.L.C.

 	 
	 	By:  	Superior Energy Services, Inc., its managing member
 	 
	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	 /s/ Robert S. Taylor
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Robert S. Taylor 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer 	 
	 
	 	SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Robert S. Taylor  	 
	 	 	Name:  	Robert S. Taylor 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer 	 

21

 

	 	 	 	 	 

1105 PETERS ROAD, L.L.C.

ADVANCED OILWELL SERVICES, INC.

BLOWOUT TOOLS, INC.

CONCENTRIC PIPE AND TOOL RENTALS, L.L.C.

CONNECTION TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.

CSI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

DRILLING LOGISTICS, L.L.C.

FASTORQ, L.L.C.

H.B. RENTALS, L.C.

INTERNATIONAL SNUBBING SERVICES, L.L.C.

NON-MAGNETIC RENTAL TOOLS, L.L.C.

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.

SEMO, L.L.C.

SEMSE, L.L.C.

STABIL DRILL SPECIALITIES, L.L.C.

SUB-SURFACE TOOLS, L.L.C.

SUPERIOR HOLDING, INC.

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES COLOMBIA, LLC

SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.

SUPERIOR INSPECTION SERVICES, L.L.C.

WARRIOR ENERGY SERVICES CORPORATION

WILD WELL CONTROL, INC.

WORKSTRINGS INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By  	/s/
Robert S. Taylor
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Robert S. Taylor 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Authorized Representative 	 

22

 

	 	 	 	 	 

Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

	 	 	 	 	 
	J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

For itself and on behalf of the
several Initial Purchasers

 	 	 
	By  	/s/
Jack Smith	 	 
	 	Authorized Signatory 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

23

 

     Schedule 1

Initial Subsidiary Guarantors

1105 Peters Road, L.L.C.

Advanced Oilwell Services, Inc.

Blowout Tools, Inc.

Concentric Pipe and Tool Rentals, L.L.C.

Connection Technology, L.L.C.

CSI Technologies, LLC

Drilling Logistics, L.L.C.

Fastorq, L.L.C.

H.B. Rentals, L.C.

International Snubbing Services, L.L.C.

Non-Magnetic Rental Tools, L.L.C.

Production Management Industries, L.L.C.

SEMO, L.L.C.

SEMSE, L.L.C.

Stabil Drill Specialties, L.L.C.

Sub-Surface Tools, L.L.C.

Superior Holding, Inc.

Superior Energy Services Colombia, LLC

Superior Energy Services, L.L.C.

Superior Inspection Services, L.L.C.

Warrior Energy Services Corporation

Wild Well Control, Inc.

Workstrings International, L.L.C.

 

Annex A

Counterpart to Registration Rights Agreement

     The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Guarantor (as
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 27, 2011 by and among SESI, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company, the guarantors party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, on
behalf of itself and the other Initial Purchasers) to be bound by the terms and provisions of such
Registration Rights Agreement.

     IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of
_______________,
201__.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	[GUARANTOR]

 	 
	 	By  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

VOTING AGREEMENT

Dated as of April 26, 2011,

Among

CENTURYLINK, INC.

and

the Stockholders Listed on Schedule I

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Page	 
	ARTICLE I General
	 	 	1	 
	1.1. Defined Terms
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE II VOTING
	 	 	2	 
	2.1. Agreement to Vote
	 	 	2	 
	2.2. No Inconsistent Agreements
	 	 	3	 
	2.3. Proxy
	 	 	3	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
	 	 	3	 
	3.1. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholders
	 	 	3	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE IV OTHER COVENANTS
	 	 	5	 
	4.1. No Proxies for or Encumbrances on Covered Shares
	 	 	5	 
	4.2. No Solicitation
	 	 	6	 
	4.3. Documentation and Information
	 	 	6	 
	4.4. Waiver of Appraisal and Dissenters’ Rights and Actions
	 	 	7	 
	4.5. Further Assurances
	 	 	7	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS
	 	 	7	 
	5.1. Amendment
	 	 	7	 
	5.2. Extension; Waiver
	 	 	7	 
	5.3. Termination
	 	 	7	 
	5.4. Notices
	 	 	8	 
	5.5. Interpretation; Definitions
	 	 	9	 
	5.6. Severability
	 	 	9	 
	5.7. Counterparts
	 	 	9	 
	5.8. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries
	 	 	9	 
	5.9. GOVERNING LAW
	 	 	9	 
	5.10. Assignment
	 	 	9	 
	5.11. Specific Enforcement 
	 	 	10	 
	5.12. Waiver of Jury Trial 
	 	 	10	 
	5.13. Action in Stockholder Capacity Only 
	 	 	10	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Schedule I: Stockholders
	 	 	 	 

ii

 

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Page
	Affiliate

	 	 	1	 
	Agreement

	 	 	1	 
	Beneficial Owner

	 	 	1	 
	Beneficial Ownership

	 	 	1	 
	Beneficially Own

	 	 	1	 
	Beneficially Owned

	 	 	1	 
	Company

	 	 	1	 
	Company Common Stock

	 	 	1	 
	Covered Shares

	 	 	2	 
	Encumber

	 	 	2	 
	Encumbrance

	 	 	2	 
	Existing Shares

	 	 	1	 
	Expiration Date

	 	 	2	 
	Grantees

	 	 	3	 
	Investor Rights Agreement

	 	 	4	 
	Merger Agreement

	 	 	1	 
	Merger Sub

	 	 	1	 
	Parent

	 	 	1	 
	Stockholder

	 	 	1	 

iii

 

VOTING AGREEMENT

          VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of April 26, 2011 (this “Agreement”), by and among
CENTURYLINK, INC., a company organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana (“Parent”),
and each of the individuals or entities listed on Schedule I (each a
“Stockholder”).

W I T
N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Parent, SAVVIS, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), and Mimi Acquisition Company, a Delaware corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified
from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, subject
to the terms and conditions thereof, each outstanding share of the common stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”) will be converted into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration (as defined therein);

          WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Stockholder is a Beneficial Owner (as defined below) and
the owner of record of the shares of Company Common Stock set forth opposite such Stockholder’s
name under the heading “Existing Shares” on Schedule I (all such shares, such Stockholder’s
“Existing Shares”); and

          WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Parent entering into the Merger Agreement, Parent
has required that the Stockholders agree, and each of the Stockholders have agreed, to enter into
this Agreement and abide by the covenants and obligations with respect to the Covered Shares (as
defined herein) set forth herein;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

GENERAL

     1.1. Defined Terms. The following capitalized terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have
the meanings set forth below. Capitalized and other defined terms used but not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement.

          An “Affiliate” of any Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first
Person; provided that the Company shall not be deemed an Affiliate of any Stockholder.

          “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The terms “Beneficially Own,”
“Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Owner” shall each have a correlative meaning.

 

 

          “Covered Shares” means, with respect to any Stockholder, such Stockholder’s Existing
Shares and any shares of Company Common Stock of which such Stockholder acquires Beneficial
Ownership or ownership of record prior to the Expiration Date; provided that any unissued share of
Company Common Stock underlying an option shall not be a Covered Share until the exercise of such
option.

          “Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, option, proxy, voting trust or
agreement, understanding or arrangements, right of first refusal or offer, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind, or any other encumbrances whatsoever on title, transfer or exercise of any
rights of a stockholder. The term “Encumber” shall have a correlative meaning.

          “Expiration Date” shall mean the date on which this Agreement terminates in accordance
with its terms.

ARTICLE II

VOTING

     2.1. Agreement to Vote. Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees
that until the Expiration Date, at the Company Stockholders Meeting and at any other annual or
special meeting of the stockholders of the Company, however called, including any adjournment or
postponement thereof, and in connection with any action proposed to be taken by written consent of
the stockholders of the Company, each Stockholder shall, in each case to the fullest extent that
the Covered Shares are entitled to vote thereon or consent thereto:

          (a) appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause the Covered Shares to be counted as present
thereat for purposes of determining a quorum; and

          (b) vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, or deliver (or cause to be delivered)
a written consent with respect to, all of such Stockholder’s Covered Shares (A) in favor of the
adoption of the Merger Agreement and any action reasonably requested by Parent in furtherance of
the foregoing, including any proposal to adjourn or postpone any meeting of the stockholders of the
Company at which the adoption of the Merger Agreement is submitted for the consideration and vote
of the stockholders of the Company to a later date if there are not sufficient votes for approval
of such matters on the date on which the meeting is held; (B) against any action or agreement that
would reasonably be expected to (1) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty
or any other obligation or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement, or of any
Stockholder contained in this Agreement or (2) result in any of the conditions set forth in Article
VII of the Merger Agreement not being satisfied on or before the End Date; (C) against any change
in the Board of Directors of the Company and (D) against any Takeover Proposal and against any
other action, agreement or transaction involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries
that is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone,
adversely affect or prevent the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations
under the Merger Agreement or by any Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement, including
(1) any extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, consolidation or other business

2

 

combination involving the Company or the Company Subsidiaries (other than the Merger); (2) a
sale, lease or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries or any reorganization, recapitalization or liquidation of the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries or (3) any change in the present capitalization of the Company or any
amendment or other change to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws.

     2.2. No Inconsistent Agreements. Each Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees that, except
for this Agreement, such Stockholder has not taken and shall not take any action that would make
any representation or warranty of such Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the
effect of preventing or disabling such Stockholder from performing any of its obligations under
this Agreement or that is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to impede, interfere with,
delay, postpone, adversely affect or prevent the consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement or the performance by the
Company of its obligations under the Merger Agreement or by any Stockholder of its obligations
under this Agreement.

     2.3. Proxy. Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints as its proxy and attorney-in-fact
Glen F. Post III and Stacey W. Goff in their respective capacities as officers of Parent, and any
individual who shall hereafter succeed any such officer of Parent, and any other Person designated
in writing by Parent (collectively, the “Grantees”), each of them individually, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote or execute written consents with respect to the
Covered Shares in accordance with Section 2.1 prior to the Expiration Date at the Company
Stockholders Meeting and at any other annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Company,
however called, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, at which any of the matters
described in Section 2.1 is to be considered. Each Stockholder hereby represents that all
proxies, powers of attorney, instructions or other requests given by such Stockholder prior to the
execution of this Agreement in respect of the voting of such Stockholder’s Covered Shares, if any,
are not irrevocable and such Stockholder hereby revokes (or causes to be revoked) any and all
previous proxies, powers of attorney, instructions or other requests with respect to such
Stockholder’s Covered Shares. This proxy is coupled with an interest, was given as an additional
inducement of Parent to enter into the Merger Agreement and shall be irrevocable prior to the
Expiration Date, at which time any such proxy shall terminate. Each Stockholder shall take such
further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of
this proxy. Parent may terminate this proxy with respect to a Stockholder at any time at its sole
election by written notice provided to such Stockholder.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     3.1. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholders. Each Stockholder hereby
represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

          (a) Authorization; Validity of Agreement; Necessary Action. If such Stockholder is
not an individual, the execution, delivery and performance by such Stockholder of this Agreement
and the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated

3

 

hereby are within the powers of such Stockholder and have been duly authorized by all
necessary action. If such Stockholder is an individual, he has full legal capacity, right and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations hereunder. Such
Stockholder has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by Parent, this Agreement constitutes such Stockholder’s legal, valid and
binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms except, in each case, as
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar Laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity. If such Stockholder is married
and any of the Covered Shares constitute community property or spousal approval is otherwise
necessary for this Agreement to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable, this Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by
Parent, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of, such Stockholder’s spouse,
enforceable in accordance with its terms except, in each case, as enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by
general principles of equity.

          (b) Ownership. Such Stockholder’s Covered Shares are and will at all times through
the Closing Date be Beneficially Owned and owned of record by such Stockholder. Such Stockholder
has and will at all times through the Closing Date have good and valid title to such Stockholder’s
Covered Shares, free and clear of any Encumbrances other than (i) pursuant to this Agreement, (ii)
the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2 of the Investor Rights Agreement dated as of
March 6, 2002 among the Company and the other parties thereto as in effect on the date hereof
(disregarding any amendments thereto, the “Investor Rights Agreement”) and (iii)
restrictions on Covered Shares underlying restricted stock awards issued to directors of the
Company. The Investor Rights Agreement has not been amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise
modified other than pursuant to Amendment No. 1 thereto dated as of June 28, 2002 and Amendment No.
2 thereto dated as of May 10, 2006, and a complete and correct copy of the Investor Rights
Agreement and each of such amendments thereto has been filed by the Company with the SEC prior to
the date hereof. As of the date hereof, except as set forth on Schedule I, such Stockholder’s
Existing Shares constitute all of the shares of Company Common Stock Beneficially Owned or owned of
record by such Stockholder. Such Stockholder has and will have at all times through the Closing
Date sole voting power (including the right to control such vote as contemplated herein), sole
power of disposition (except with respect to Covered Shares underlying restricted stock awards
issued to directors of the Company), sole power to issue instructions with respect to the matters
set forth in Article II or Section 4.1, and sole power to agree to all of the
matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case with respect to all of such Stockholder’s Covered
Shares.

          (c) No Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Stockholder do
not, and the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement will not, (i)
if such Stockholder is not an individual, violate the certificate of formation, agreement of
limited partnership, certificate of incorporation or similar organizational documents of such
Stockholder, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental
Entity applicable to such Stockholder or by which any of its assets or properties is bound, or
(iii) conflict with, result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice
or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others

4

 

any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance on the properties or assets of such Stockholder pursuant to, any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, Contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or
obligation to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder and/or any of its
assets or properties is bound, except for any of the foregoing as would not reasonably be expected,
either individually or in the aggregate, to impair the ability of such Stockholder to perform its
obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis.

          (d) Consents and Approvals. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such
Stockholder do not, and the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, require such
Stockholder to obtain any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or to make any filing with
or notification to, any Governmental Entity, other than the filings of any reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

          (e) Absence of Litigation. As of the date hereof there is no Action pending or, to
the knowledge of such Stockholder, threatened against or affecting such Stockholder and/or any of
its Affiliates before or by any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to impair the
ability of such Stockholder to perform its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on a timely basis.

          (f) Finder’s Fees. No investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary is
entitled to a fee or commission from Parent or the Company in respect of this Agreement based upon
any arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of such Stockholder.

          (g) Reliance by Parent. Such Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Parent is
entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
the Stockholders and the representations, warranties and covenants of the Stockholders contained
herein. Such Stockholder understands and acknowledges that the Merger Agreement governs the terms
of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby.

          3.2. Representations and Warranties of Parent. The execution, delivery and
performance by Parent of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent of the transactions
contemplated hereby are within the powers of Parent and have been duly authorized by all necessary
action. Parent has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by each Stockholder, this Agreement constitutes Parent’s legal, valid and
binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms except, in each case, as
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar Laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

ARTICLE IV

OTHER COVENANTS

     4.1. No Proxies for or Encumbrances on Covered Shares. Except pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, such Stockholder shall not, without the prior

5

 

written
consent of Parent, directly or indirectly, (a) grant any proxies or enter into any voting trust or
other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of any Covered Shares or (b) sell,
assign, transfer, Encumber or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any Contract, option or other
arrangement or understanding with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer,
Encumbrance or other disposition of, any Covered Shares during the term of this Agreement. Such
Stockholder shall not seek or solicit any such sale, assignment, transfer, Encumbrance or other
disposition or any such Contract, option or other arrangement or understanding. Each Stockholder
hereby authorizes and instructs the Company (including its transfer agent) to, upon direction of
Parent, impose stop orders to prevent the transfer of any Covered Shares on the books of the
Company in violation of this Agreement.

     4.2. No Solicitation. Each Stockholder shall not, nor shall it authorize or permit any of
its Affiliates or any of its and their respective Representatives to, (i) directly or indirectly
solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage, induce or facilitate any Takeover Proposal or any
inquiry or proposal that may reasonably be expected to lead to a Takeover Proposal or (ii) directly
or indirectly participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person regarding, or furnish
to any Person any information with respect to, or cooperate in any way with any Person (whether or
not a Person making a Takeover Proposal) with respect to any Takeover Proposal or any inquiry or
proposal that may reasonably be expected to lead to a Takeover Proposal; provided,
however, that if the Company is engaging in activities with respect to a Takeover Proposal
that the Stockholders reasonably believe are in compliance with the provisions of the Merger
Agreement, the Stockholders, their Affiliates and their respective Representatives may participate
with the Company in such activities. Each Stockholder shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and
its and their respective Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated all
existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any
Takeover Proposal or any inquiry or proposal that may reasonably be expected to lead to a Takeover
Proposal.

     4.3. Documentation and Information. Unless required by Law or legal process, each
Stockholder shall not, and shall cause its Representatives not to, make any press release, public
announcement or other public communication that criticizes or disparages this Agreement or the
Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, without the prior written
consent of Parent. Each Stockholder (a) consents to and authorizes the publication and disclosure
by Parent or the Company of such Stockholder’s identity and holding of Covered Shares, the nature
of such Stockholder’s commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement (including,
for the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of this Agreement) and any other information, in each
case, that Parent or the Company reasonably determines is required to be disclosed by Law in any
press release, any Current Report on Form 8-K, any Statement on Schedule 13D, the Form S-4, the
Proxy Statement, any other disclosure document in connection with the Merger Agreement and any
filings with or notices to Governmental Entities in connection with the Merger Agreement and (b)
agrees promptly to give to Parent any information it may reasonably request for the preparation of
any such documents. Each Stockholder hereby agrees, while this Agreement is in effect, to notify
Parent promptly in writing of the number and description of any additional Covered Shares of which
such Stockholder acquires Beneficial Ownership or ownership of record.

6

 

     4.4. Waiver of Appraisal and Dissenters’ Rights and Actions. Each Stockholder hereby (i)
waives and agrees not to exercise any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger that
such Stockholder may have and (ii) agrees not to commence or participate in, and to take all
actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim,
derivative or otherwise, against Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective
successors relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Merger
Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, including any claim (x) challenging the validity of,
or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or
(y) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection
with the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.

     4.5. Further Assurances. From time to time, at Parent’s reasonable request, Welsh,
Carson, Anderson & Stowe VIII, L.P. and WCAS Management Corporation shall cooperate with Parent in
making all filings (including FCC applications) and shall obtain all consents of Governmental
Entities and third parties and execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such
further actions as may be necessary or desirable to effect the actions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

     5.1. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of each of the parties.

     5.2. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties may (a)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties,
(b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in
any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement, or (c) waive compliance with any covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension
or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement
or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

     5.3. Termination. This Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier to occur of (a)
the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval; (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in
accordance with its terms; (c) an Adverse Recommendation Change in response to a Superior
Proposal; and (d) the effective date of any waiver, amendment or other modification of the
Merger Agreement that reduces the per share Merger Consideration, or changes the cash/equity per
share allocation of the consideration to be received (other than by adding cash consideration and,
for clarity, other than by any adjustment to the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the terms of the Merger
Agreement as in effect on the date hereof); provided, however, the provisions of
this Article V shall survive any termination of this Agreement without regard to any
temporal limitation. No termination of this Agreement shall relieve any Stockholder of any
liability for any breach of this Agreement. Nothing in the Merger Agreement shall relieve any
Stockholder from any liability for any breach of this Agreement. In particular, without
limitation, the liability of any Stockholder for damages and losses suffered by Parent as a

7

 

consequence of any breach of this Agreement by such Stockholder shall not be extinguished by the
payment or the coming due of the Termination Fee.

     5.4. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon receipt by the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

          (a) if to Parent, to:

CenturyLink, Inc.

100 CenturyLink Drive

Monroe, Louisiana 71203

Phone: (318) 388-9000

Facsimile: (318) 388-9488

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Phone: (212) 403-1000

Facsimile: (212) 403-2000

Attention: Eric S. Robinson

          (b) if to a Stockholder, to the addresses and to the attention of the parties set forth next
to such Stockholder’s name in Schedule I, with a copy to:

Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe

320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500

New York, New York 10022

Phone: (212) 893-9500

Facsimile: (212) 893-9575

Attention: Jonathan M. Rather

and

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

Phone: (212) 596-9000

Facsimile: (212) 596-9090

Attention: Othon Prounis and Anthony Norris

8

 

     5.5. Interpretation; Definitions. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an
Article, a Section or a Schedule, such reference shall be to an Article, a Section or a Schedule of
or to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents, index of defined terms and
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any
way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Any capitalized term used in the Schedule but
not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in this Agreement.
Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereby”,
“herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is
not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a
subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” The definitions
contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms. Any agreement, instrument or Law defined or referred to herein means such agreement,
instrument or Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise
specifically indicated. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” will be deemed
references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

     5.6. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or
incapable of being enforced by any rule or Law, or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as either
the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party or such party waives its rights under this Section
5.6 with respect thereto. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify
this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an
acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent
possible.

     5.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more
counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     5.8. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and, to the extent
referenced herein, the Merger Agreement, (a) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof or thereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any Person other
than the parties any rights or remedies.

     5.9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER ANY
APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

     5.10. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations
under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise by

9

 

any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported
assignment without such consent shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their
respective successors and assigns.

     5.11. Specific Enforcement. Each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that irreparable
damage to Parent would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed by such Stockholder in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached,
and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is
accordingly agreed that Parent shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the performance of terms and provisions of
this Agreement in any court referred to in clause (a) below, without proof of actual damages (and
each Stockholder hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in
connection with such remedy), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled
at law or in equity. Each Stockholder further agrees not to assert that a remedy of specific
enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to Law or inequitable for any reason, nor to assert
that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy for any such breach. In
addition, each Stockholder (a) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of any
Delaware state court or any Federal court located in the State of Delaware in the event any dispute
arises out of this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal
jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court and (c) agrees that it will
not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than any Delaware state court or
any Federal court sitting in the State of Delaware.

     5.12. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each Stockholder hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or other
proceeding arising out of this Agreement. Each Stockholder (a) certifies that no representative,
agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Stockholder
would not, in the event of any action, suit or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and
(b) acknowledges that Parent has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things,
the waiver and certifications in this Section 5.12.

     5.13.
Action in Stockholder Capacity Only. No Stockholder who is or becomes during the term
hereof a director or officer of the Company makes any agreement or understanding herein in his or
her capacity as a director or officer. Any such Stockholder signs solely in his or her capacity as
the Beneficial Owner of Covered Shares and nothing in this Agreement shall
limit or affect any actions taken by such individual solely in his or her capacity as a
director or officer of the Company.

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]

10

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent and each of the Stockholders have duly executed this Agreement, all
as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	CENTURYLINK, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Glen F. Post, III
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Glen F. Post, III 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Chief Executive Officer &
 President 	 
	 

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON &

STOWE VIII, L.P.

 	 
	 	By:  	WCAS VIII Associates LLC,
 	 
	 	 	its General Partner 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	
/s/ Jonathan Rather
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Jonathan Rather 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Managing Member 	 
	 
	 	WCAS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jonathan Rather
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Jonathan Rather 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Treasurer 	 
	 

	 	 	 

	 

	 	PATRICK J. WELSH
	 

	 	RUSSELL L. CARSON
	 

	 	BRUCE K. ANDERSON
	 

	 	THOMAS E. MCINERNEY
	 

	 	ROBERT A. MINICUCCI
	 

	 	ANTHONY J. DENICOLA
	 

	 	PAUL B. QUEALLY
	 

	 	JONATHAN M. RATHER
	 

	 	D. SCOTT MACKESY
	 

	 	JOHN D. CLARK
	 

	 	SANJAY SWANI

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	                         /s/ Jonathan M. Rather
 	 
	 	 	Jonathan M. Rather 	 
	 	 	Attorney-in-fact 	 
	 
	 	CARSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Russell L. Carson
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Russell L. Carson 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 

 

 

Schedule I

Stockholders

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Stockholder Name	 	Existing Shares	 	Notice Address
	Welsh, Carson, Anderson
& Stowe VIII, L.P.

	 	 	10,285,694	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe 

320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Attention: Jonathan M. Rather
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	WCAS Management Corporation

	 	 	80,759	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Attention: Jonathan M. Rather
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Patrick J. Welsh*

	 	 	715,927	 	 	Mr. Patrick J. Welsh
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Russell L. Carson

	 	 	80,149	 	 	Mr. Russell L. Carson
	

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	Carson Family Charitable Trust

	 	 	272,967	 	 	Mr. Russell L. Carson
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Bruce K. Anderson

	 	 	712,944	 	 	Mr. Bruce K. Anderson
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Thomas E. McInerney**

	 	 	619,205	 	 	Mr. Thomas E. McInerney
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Robert A. Minicucci

	 	 	159,410	 	 	Mr. Robert A. Minicucci
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500

I-1

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Stockholder Name	 	Existing Shares	 	Notice Address
	Anthony J. deNicola***

	 	 	101,176	 	 	Mr. Anthony J. deNicola
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Paul B. Queally

	 	 	37,994	 	 	Mr. Paul B. Queally
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Jonathan M. Rather

	 	 	15,536	 	 	Mr. Jonathan M. Rather
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	D. Scott Mackesy

	 	 	4,156	 	 	Mr. D. Scott Mackesy
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	John D. Clark

	 	 	17,831	 	 	Mr. John D. Clark
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Sanjay Swani

	 	 	1,556	 	 	Mr. Sanjay Swani
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	320 Park Avenue, Suite 2500
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	New York, New York 10022
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Tel: (212) 893-9500
	 
	 

	 	Total: 13,105,304 	 	 

 

			
	*	 	1,200 of the Existing Shares owned by Patrick J. Welsh are subject to restricted stock
awards. In addition, Mr. Welsh Beneficially Owns 11,938 shares of Company Common Stock subject to
options.
	 
	**	 	1,200 of the Existing Shares owned by Thomas E. McInerney are subject to restricted stock
awards. In addition, Mr. McInerney Beneficially Owns 11,938 shares of Company Common Stock subject
to options.
	 
	***	 	In addition, Anthony J. deNicola Beneficially Owns an aggregate 86,784 shares of Company Common
Stock indirectly through the Anthony & Christie deNicola Family Foundation.

I-2

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00188-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00188-of-00352.parquet"}]]