Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

 

This Subscription and Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 9, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and among Geokinetics Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each of the other persons who are signatories to this Agreement and who are listed on Schedule A attached hereto (each of them is referred to as a “Stockholder” and together they are referred to as “Stockholders”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            Certain technical legal questions have arisen relating to the prior issuance and/or amendment of certain shares of the Series C Senior Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of the Company (the “Old Shares”); and

 

B.            In order to resolve any such questions, and to ensure that full legal effect is given to prior agreements between the Company and the Stockholders, the Company and the Stockholders desire (i) to cause the Company to issue to each Stockholder the number of shares of Series C-1 Senior Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of the Company set forth next to such Stockholder’s name on Schedule A (the “New Shares”) in exchange for the number of Old Shares held (or purported to be held) by each such Stockholder and (ii) that all references to the Old Shares in any other agreements, documents, instruments or certificates (including any warrant certificates)(the “Related Agreements”) shall mean and be a reference to the New Shares issued to the Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement as if such New Shares were issued on the same date as the Old Shares such that the rights and obligations pursuant to the Related Agreements would have the same economic effect as they would have had, save and except for the amendments (the “Related Agreement Amendments”) with respect to the amendment of the outstanding warrants to purchase common stock of the Company issued on December 14, 2010 to modify the definition of “Additional Stock” and the modifications to the anti-dilution provisions reflected in the Company’s Series B-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock to be different from the Company’s Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to the warrants to be issued in connection with the Commitment Letter between the Company and Avista Capital Partners, L.P. and Avista Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P. dated March 16, 2012, as amended, if there were no such questions relating to the issuance of and/or amendment to the Old Shares, in each case upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, in order to implement the foregoing and in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Stockholders agree as follows:

 

Section 1.              Exchange of Shares.  The Company (x) shall issue to each Stockholder, and each such Stockholder shall receive and accept from the Company, the number of New Shares set forth next to such Stockholder’s name on Schedule A and (y) agrees that all references to the Old Shares in the Related Agreements shall mean and be a reference to the New Shares issued to the Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement as if such New Shares were issued on the 

 

 

same date as the Old Shares such that the rights and obligations pursuant to any such Related Agreements would have the same economic effect as they would have had, save and except for the Related Agreement Amendments, if there were no questions as to the issuance of and/or amendment to the Old Shares, in exchange (the “Exchange”) for:

 

(a)           all of such Stockholder’s rights, interests and claims with respect to the Old Shares (and any right, warrant, option or other security or instrument evidencing, or convertible into or exchangeable or otherwise exercisable for any Old Shares) to the extent such rights, interests and claims are held by such Stockholder;

 

(b)           the agreement of each of the Stockholders that (x) all references to the Old Shares in any of the Related Agreements shall mean and be a reference to the New Shares issued to the Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement as if such New Shares were issued on the same date as the Old Shares such that the rights and obligations pursuant to the Related Agreements would have the same economic effect as they would have had, save and except for the Related Agreement Amendments, if there were no questions as to the issuance of and/or amendment to the Old Shares, and (y) such Stockholders will facilitate (including the return of any of the certificates representing the Old Shares to the Company for replacement thereof), at the Company’s sole timing and discretion, the amendment, restatement or replacement of any of the Related Agreements with new agreements, documents, instruments or certificates to further effectuate the agreement set forth in this Section 1(b); and

 

(c)           the release by such Stockholder as set forth in Section 2;

 

provided, that the Exchange shall be contingent upon (i) the approval of the Exchange (including, but not limited to, the creation of the New Shares and the issuance of the New Shares to the Stockholders) by the requisite percentage of holders of the outstanding Series D Junior Preferred Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 1(d) of the Certificate of Designation of Series D Junior Preferred Stock, (ii) the approval of the Exchange (including, but not limited to, the creation of the New Shares and the issuance of the New Shares to the Stockholders) by the requisite percentage of the holders of the outstanding Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 1(f) of the Certificate of Designation of Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, and (iii) the filing of a Certificate of Designation of the New Shares in the form attached as Annex A with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  Following the Exchange, the Company shall promptly issue to each Stockholder a stock certificate evidencing the New Shares set forth next to such Stockholder’s name on Schedule A upon the execution and delivery by such Stockholder of this Agreement and the surrender by such Stockholder of each stock certificate or certificates, if any, representing the Old Shares.

 

Section 2.              Release of Claims.  In consideration for the New Shares to be issued in exchange for the Old Shares and the modification of the Related Agreements, the Company and each Stockholder, their respective successors and assigns, and all persons or entities acting by, through, under or in concert with the Company and each such Stockholder, do hereby release and forever discharge (a) the Stockholders, in the case of the Company, and the Company, in the case of the Stockholders, (b) all past and present officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents, representatives and controlling persons, if any, of the Stockholders, in the case of the Company, 

 

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and the Company, in the case of the Stockholders (c) all past and present affiliates and subsidiaries of the Stockholders, in the case of Company, and the Company, in the case of the Stockholders and (d) all of the past or present subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents, representatives, controlling persons of the Stockholders, in the case of the Company, and the Company, in the case of the Stockholders, if any, from any and all manner of (and hereby waive any) claims, actions or proceedings of any nature which have been, could have been, or could be brought in any local, state or federal court, administrative agency or other tribunal, including, but not limited to, those arising under common law, federal law, or state statutory law, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, including, but not limited to, any escrow agreement, investors’ agreement, stock option agreement, or subscription or stock purchase agreement, promises, liabilities, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, including all claims for incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages or equitable relief arising out of any of the foregoing, which the Company or such Stockholder, as applicable, now has or may hereafter have against any of the foregoing respective released parties, arising out of or related to the issuances (or purported issuance) of the Old Shares (or any right, warrant, option or other security or instrument evidencing, or convertible into or exchangeable or otherwise exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company), and ratification of all actions taken by the Stockholders, in the case of the Company, or Board of Directors of the Company, in the case of the Stockholders, to approve the foregoing.

 

Section 3.              Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)           Each of the Stockholders hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company as of the Effective Date as follows:

 

(i)           that each such Stockholder is, or but for the questions relating to the Company’s issuance or amendment of the Old Shares would be, the record and beneficial owner of the number of issued and outstanding Old Shares set forth next to such Stockholder’s name on the signature page hereto;

 

(ii)          that the Old Shares set forth on the signature page constitute all of the issued and outstanding Old Shares owned, or arguably owned, of record or beneficially owned by such Stockholder, and the Stockholder does not own (or have any claim to own) beneficially or of record, any other Old Shares (or any right, warrant, option or other security or instrument evidencing, or convertible into or exchangeable or otherwise exercisable for, any Old Shares);

 

(iii)         that each such Stockholder has the legal capacity, power and authority to enter into and perform all of such Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

(iv)        that this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms;

 

(v)         that each such Stockholder is an “accredited investor” (as such term is used in Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended); and

 

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(vi)        that from time to time, at the request of the Company and without further consideration, the Stockholder shall execute and deliver such additional documents as may be necessary or desirable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)           The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Stockholders as of the Effective Date as follows:

 

(i)           that it is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

 

(ii)          that it has the corporate power and authority to enter into and perform all of its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(iii)         that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(iv)        that it has taken all other actions required by applicable law, its certificate of incorporation and its bylaws to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(v)         that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally; and

 

(vi)        that from time to time, at the request of the applicable Stockholder and without further consideration, the Company shall execute and deliver such additional documents as may be necessary or desirable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.              Intent of the Parties.  Each party acknowledges and agrees that it is the intent of the parties that the rights, interests and obligations of the parties with respect to the New Shares and the Related Agreements (after the substitution of the references to the Old Shares with references to the New Shares) shall be the same as the rights, interests and obligations of the parties with respect to the Old Shares (assuming the valid issuance of and/or amendment to the Old Shares) and the Related Agreements such that the New Shares and the Related Agreements (after the substitution of the references to the Old Shares with references to the New Shares) would have the same economic effect as the Old Shares and the Related Agreements would have had, save and except for the Related Agreement Amendments, if there were no questions as to the issuance of and/or amendment to the Old Shares.  Each party agrees that when construing the provisions of this Agreement and the Related Agreements that such intent will be taken into account and agrees to take such further actions as necessary to implement such intent.

 

Section 5.              Consent to Certain Actions.  Each of the Stockholders, by execution of this Agreement, does hereby consent to (a) the creation of the New Shares and the issuance of 

 

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the New Shares in exchange for the Old Shares and (b) the creation of the Series B-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company and the issuance of the Series B-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company in exchange for the Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company pursuant to the Series B Preferred Stock Subscription and Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2012, by and among the Company and Avista Capital Partners, L.P., Avista Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P. and Levant America S.A.  Each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement constitutes such Stockholder’s written consent to the foregoing pursuant to Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  Promptly following the execution of this Agreement, each Stockholder shall deliver a signed and dated copy of this Agreement to the Secretary of the Company and hereby directs the Secretary of the Company to file the fully executed copy of this Agreement with the books and records of the Company in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 6.              Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

Section 7.              Assignment; Binding Effect; Benefits.  This Agreement is not assignable without the written consent of each of the other parties hereto.  Subject to the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the parties or their respective successors or assigns (and other than the persons released in Section 2 hereof) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained herein.

 

Section 8.              Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by each of the parties which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement.

 

Section 9.              Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts or in facsimiles, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the failure of one or more Stockholders (for whom this Agreement sets forth a signature line) to execute or otherwise to become bound by this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of this Agreement against, or otherwise impact the validity of this Agreement with respect to, the persons who execute and deliver this Agreement.

 

Section 10.            Notice.  All notices and other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified U.S. mail or a nationally reputable overnight carrier, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or otherwise delivered by hand or courier addressed to each party’s address or facsimile number set forth on the signature page.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement on the date set forth below such party’s name.

 

	
 
    	
COMPANY:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Geokinetics   Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Richard F. Miles
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Richard   F. Miles
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
President   and Chief Executive Officer 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:   May 9, 2012
    

 

[Series C Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement]

 

 

	
 
    	
STOCKHOLDERS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Avista Capital Partners, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Avista   Capital Partners GP, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
its   general partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Ben Silbert
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Ben Silbert
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:   May 9, 2012
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Address:
    	
65   E. 55th St.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
18   Floor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
NY   NY 10022
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Number   of Shares Held:
    	
106,026
    
					

 

[Series C Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement]

 

 

	
 
    	
Avista Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
Avista   Capital Partners GP, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
its   general partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Ben Silbert
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Ben Silbert
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:   May 9, 2012
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Address:
    	
65   E. 55th Street
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
18   Floor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
NY   NY 10022
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Number   of Shares Held:
    	
27,956
    
					

 

[Series C Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement]

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

	
Name of Stockholder
    	
 
    	
Number of Old
   Shares
    	
 
    	
Number of New
   Shares to be Issued
   in Exchange for the
   Old Shares
    	
 
    
	
Avista   Capital Partners, L.P.
    	
 
    	
106,026
    	
 
    	
106,026
    	
 
    
	
Avista   Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P.
    	
 
    	
27,956
    	
 
    	
27,956
    	
 
    

 

 

ANNEX A

 

See attached.

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF

 

SERIES C-1 SENIOR PREFERRED STOCK

 

OF

 

GEOKINETICS INC.

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 151(g) OF THE

 

GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

 

Geokinetics Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies that the Board of Directors of the Corporation, on May 9, 2012, duly adopted the following resolution providing for the issuance of a series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and further providing for the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, all in accordance with Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware:

 

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by Article Fourth of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be, and hereby is, created out of the authorized but unissued shares of capital stock of the Corporation and authorized to be issued, such series to be designated Series C-1 Senior Preferred Stock, to consist of 450,000 shares, par value $10.00 per share, of which the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, shall be, in addition to those set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, as follows:

 

(1)           General.

 

(a)           The shares of such series shall be designated as the Series C-1 Senior Preferred Stock (the “Series C-1 Preferred Stock”).

 

(b)           The number of authorized shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock shall be 450,000.

 

(c)           No fractional shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock shall be issued.

 

(2)           Dividends.  The holders of Series C-1 Preferred Stock, prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any dividend on any class or series of capital stock of this Corporation, shall be entitled to receive, out of legally available funds, dividends, cumulative and compounded, at the applicable Dividend Rate. “Dividend Rate” shall mean 11.75% per annum, compounded quarterly effective as of December 18, 2009 as if the Series C-1 Preferred Stock had been issued on such date, of the Original Issue Price (as defined in Section 3(a)) for each share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock. After December 16, 2015, all dividends shall be paid in

 

 

cash on each quarterly dividend payment date. All unpaid dividends on Series C-1 Preferred Stock, whether or not declared, shall be cumulative and shall accrue, compounding quarterly, until paid in cash regardless of whether or not the Corporation shall have funds legally available for the payment of such dividends.

 

(3)           Liquidation Preference.

 

(a)           The holders of Series C-1 Preferred Stock, in the event of any Liquidation Event (as defined in Section 3(b)), either voluntary or involuntary, shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to the distribution of any proceeds of such Liquidation Event (the “Proceeds”) to the holders of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) and other preferred securities (but pari passu to the holders of the Series B-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock of the Corporation (the “Series B-1 Preferred Stock”)), an amount per share (the “Liquidation Preference Amount”) equal to (i) the sum of the Original Issue Price for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock, plus (ii) any accrued but unpaid dividends, which have been accrued to the date of payment. In case the net assets of the Corporation legally available therefor are insufficient to permit the payment upon all outstanding shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount to which the holders of such shares are entitled, then such net assets shall be distributed ratably upon outstanding shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock in proportion to the full preferential amount to which each such share is entitled. “Original Issue Price” shall mean $250.00 per share for each share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock (as adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, subdivisions, recapitalizations or the like with respect to the Series C-1 Preferred Stock),

 

(b)           A “Liquidation Event” shall include (i) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity (except a merger or consolidation in which the holders of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to hold at least 50% of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation or the surviving or acquiring entity), (iii) the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation, exchange, reorganization or otherwise), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons (other than Avista Capital Partners, L.P. and its affiliates), of the Corporation’s equity securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold 50% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation (or the surviving or acquiring entity) or (iv) a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; provided, however, that a transaction shall not constitute a Liquidation Event if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Corporation’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Corporation’s securities immediately prior to such transaction. The treatment of any particular transaction or series of related transactions as a Liquidation Event hereunder may be waived by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series C-1 Preferred Stock.

 

(c)           In any Liquidation Event, if Proceeds received by the Corporation or its stockholders are other than cash, their value will be deemed their fair market value. The determination of such fair market value shall be made by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or as otherwise may be set forth in the definitive agreements governing such Liquidation Event.

 

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(4)           Redemption.  The Corporation shall redeem all outstanding shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock on December 16, 2015. Each share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock to be redeemed hereunder shall be redeemed by payment by the Corporation in cash of the Redemption Price. “Redemption Price” shall mean, with respect to each share of Series C-1 Preferred Stock, an amount equal to the Liquidation Preference Amount.

 

(5)           Approval Rights. So long as at least 100,000 shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written consent, as provided by law) of not less than a majority of the then-outstanding shares of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock:

 

(a)           Amend the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws in any material respect (other than an amendment to change the name of the Corporation);

 

(b)           Declare or pay any dividend or other distribution upon the Corporation’s capital stock (except dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock or Series B-1 Preferred Stock or Series C-1 Preferred Stock in lieu of payment of cash dividends), or purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, except for repurchases, at cost, of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation (pursuant to rights held by the Corporation as of the date upon which this Certificate of Designation is accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware) held by the Corporation’s consultants, directors, officers or employees;

 

(c)           Sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or effect any consolidation, merger or reorganization involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or effect any transaction or series of related transactions in which the Corporation’s stockholders immediately prior to such transaction or transactions own immediately after such transaction or transactions less than 50% of the voting securities of the surviving corporation or entity (or its parent);

 

(d)           Reclassify, reorganize or recapitalize the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock;

 

(e)           Except for the creation and issuance of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, create or issue any class or series of stock or other security of the Corporation on parity with or having preference over the Series C-1 Preferred Stock or increase the authorized number of shares of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock;

 

(f)            Effect any transaction with the management, related parties or other affiliates of the Corporation, or extend or waive the terms of any such existing transactions, other than (i) issuances of options, warrants or Common Stock pursuant to an equity incentive plan or similar arrangement approved by the Board of Directors or (ii) any other transaction with management, related parties or affiliates of the Corporation on terms approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not, either directly or indirectly, a party to such transaction; and

 

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(g)           Increase or decrease the number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

(6)           Financial Statements, Reports, etc. The Corporation shall furnish to each holder of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock:

 

(a)           within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the results of its operations and the operations of such subsidiaries during such year, together with comparative figures for the immediately preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), all audited by UHY, LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall be without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)           within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the results of its operations and the operations of such subsidiaries during such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, and comparative figures for the same periods in the immediately preceding fiscal year, all certified by one of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, any vice president, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Corporation as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designation to its Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed by its President and Chief Executive Officer, this 9th day of May, 2012.

 

	
 
    	
GEOKINETICS INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Richard F. Miles
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
President and Chief Executive Officer
    

 

[Series C-1 Senior Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation]Exhibit 10.4

 

FORM OF USA COMPRESSION PARTNERS, LP
 2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1.                            Purpose of the Plan.

 

This USA Compression Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted by USA Compression GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the general partner of USA Compression Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”).  The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership and the Company by providing incentive compensation awards based on Units to Employees, Consultants and Directors to encourage superior performance.  The Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the Partnership, the Company and their Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership, the Company and their Affiliates and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership, the Company and their Affiliates.

 

SECTION 2.                            Definitions.

 

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question.  As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“ASC Topic 718” means Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, or any successor accounting standard.

 

“Award” means an Option, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, DER, Substitute Award, Unit Appreciation Right or Unit Award granted under the Plan.

 

“Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.

 

“Board” means the board of directors or board of managers, as the case may be, of the Company.

 

“Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                     any “person” or “group” within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, Riverstone Holdings LLC or an Affiliate of the Company (as determined immediately prior to such event) or Riverstone Holdings LLC, shall become the beneficial owner, by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company or the Partnership;

 

 

(ii)                                  the limited partners of the Partnership approve, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the Partnership;

 

(iii)                               the sale or other disposition by either the Company or the Partnership of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any Person other than the Company, the Partnership, Riverstone Holdings LLC or an Affiliate of the Company, the Partnership or Riverstone Holdings LLC; or

 

(iv)                              a transaction resulting in a Person other than the Company, Riverstone Holdings LLC or an Affiliate of the Company (as determined immediately prior to such event) or Riverstone Holdings LLC being the sole general partner of the Partnership.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), and as relates to the holder of such Award, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Committee” means the Board, except that it shall mean such committee as is appointed by the Board if, from and after such time as and to the extent that the Board appoints such a committee comprised solely of two or more “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) to administer the Plan.

 

“Consultant” means an individual who renders consulting services to the Company, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates.

 

“DER” means a distribution equivalent right, representing a contingent right to receive an amount in cash, Units, Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units equal in value to the distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.

 

“Director” means a member of the board of directors or board of managers, as the case may be, of the Company, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates who is not an Employee or a Consultant (other than in that individual’s capacity as a Director).

 

“Disability” means, as determined by the Committee in its discretion exercised in good faith, a physical or mental condition of a Participant that would entitle him or her to payment of disability income payments under the Company’s or the Partnership’s or one of its subsidiaries’ long-term disability insurance policy or plan for employees as then in effect; or in the event that a Participant is not covered, for whatever reason, under the Company’s or the Partnership’s or one of its subsidiaries’ long-term disability insurance policy or plan for employees or the Company or the Partnership’s or one of its subsidiaries’ does not maintain such a long-term disability insurance policy, “Disability” means a total and permanent disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code; provided, however, that if a Disability constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation and is

 

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subject to Section 409A of the Code, then, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the Participant must also be considered “disabled” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code.  A determination of Disability may be made by a physician selected or approved by the Committee and, in this respect, Participants shall submit to an examination by such physician upon request by the Committee.

 

“Employee” means an employee of the Company, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the closing sales price on such date during normal trading hours (or, if there are no reported sales on such date, on the last date prior to such date on which there were sales) of the Units on the New York Stock Exchange or, if not listed on such exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which the Units are listed or on an inter-dealer quotation system, in any case, as reported in such source as the Committee shall select.  If there is no regular public trading market for the Units, the Fair Market Value of the Units shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

“Option” means an option to purchase Units granted pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Plan.

 

“Other Unit-Based Award” means an award granted pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Plan.

 

“Participant” means an Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan and any authorized transferee of such individual.

 

“Partnership Agreement” means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of  the Partnership, as it may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

“Phantom Unit” means a notional interest granted under the Plan that, to the extent vested, entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

“Profits Interest Unit” means to the extent authorized by the Partnership Agreement, an interest in the Partnership that is intended to constitute a “profits interest” within the meaning of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and any published guidance by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.

 

“Restricted Period” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture and is either not exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be.

 

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“Restricted Unit” means a Unit granted pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.

 

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

 

“Service” means service as an Employee, Consultant or Director.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to terminations of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether and when a termination of Service occurred and/or resulted from a discharge for cause, and all questions of whether particular changes in status or leaves of absence constitute a termination of Service, provided that a termination of Service shall not be deemed to occur in the event of (a) a termination where there is simultaneous commencement by the Participant of a relationship with the Partnership, the Company or any of their Affiliates as an Employee, Director or Consultant or (b) at the discretion of the Committee, a termination which results in a temporary severance of the service relationship.

 

“Substitute Award” means an award granted pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Plan.

 

“Unit” means a Common Unit of the Partnership.

 

“Unit Appreciation Right” or “UAR” means a contingent right that entitles the holder to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the exercise date of the UAR over the exercise price of the UAR.

 

“Unit Award” means an award granted pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Plan.

 

SECTION 3.                            Administration.

 

(a)                             The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, subject to subsection (b) below; provided, however, that in the event that the Board is not also serving as the Committee, the Board, in its sole discretion, may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan.  The governance of the Committee shall be subject to the charter, if any, of the Committee as approved by the Board.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any

 

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other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or an Award Agreement in such manner and to such extent as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, the Partnership, any of their Affiliates, any Participant and any beneficiary of any Participant.

 

(b)                                 To the extent permitted by applicable law and the rules of any securities exchange on which the Units are listed, quoted or traded, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to Section 3(a); provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, or amend awards held by, the following individuals: (i) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (ii) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder, or (iii) to the extent that Section 162(m) of the Code is applicable to the Company or the Partnership, any Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent that it is permissible under applicable provisions of the Code and applicable securities laws and the rules of any securities exchange on which the Units are listed, quoted or traded.  Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations as the Board or Committee, as applicable, specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee.  At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 3(b) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.

 

SECTION 4.                            Units.

 

(a)                                 Limits on Units Deliverable.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan is [                 (      )].  Units withheld from an Award to either satisfy the Company’s or its Affiliates’ tax withholding obligations with respect to the Award or pay the exercise price of an Award shall be counted against the number of Units that may be delivered under the Plan and shall not be available for future grants of Awards.  If any Award is forfeited, cancelled, exercised, paid, or otherwise terminates or expires without the actual delivery of Units pursuant to such Award (for the avoidance of doubt, the grant of Restricted Units is not a delivery of Units for this purpose), the Units subject to such Award shall again be available for Awards under the Plan.  To the extent permitted by applicable law and securities exchange rules, Substitute Awards and Units issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Partnership or any Affiliate thereof shall not be counted against the Units available for issuance pursuant to the Plan.  There shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be paid in cash.

 

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(b)                                 Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards.  Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open market, from the Partnership, any Affiliate thereof or any other Person, or Units otherwise issuable by the Partnership, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(c)                                  Anti-dilution Adjustments.

 

(i)                                     Equity Restructuring.  With respect to any “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense to the Company or the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718 if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the Committee shall equitably adjust the number and type of Units covered by each outstanding Award and the terms and conditions, including the exercise price and performance criteria (if any), of such Award to equitably reflect such event and shall adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan after such event.  With respect to any other similar event that would not result in an ASC Topic 718 accounting charge if the adjustment to Awards with respect to such event were subject to discretionary action, the Committee shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards and the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.

 

(ii)                                  Other Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of any non-cash distribution, Unit split, combination or exchange of Units, merger, consolidation or distribution (other than normal cash distributions) of Partnership assets to unitholders, or any other change affecting the units of the Partnership, other than an “equity restructuring,” the Committee may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (A) the aggregate number and kind of Units that may be issued under the Plan; (B) the number and kind of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (iv) the grant or exercise price per Unit for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.

 

SECTION 5.                            Eligibility.

 

Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan.

 

SECTION 6.                            Awards.

 

(a)                                 Options and UARs.  The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Options and/or UARs shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option or UAR, the exercise price therefor, the Restricted Period and other conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option or UAR, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.  Options

 

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which are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(A) and UARs which are intended to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(B) or, in each case, any successor regulation, may be granted only if the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii), or any successor regulation, are satisfied.  Options and UARs that are otherwise exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code may be granted to any eligible Employee, Consultant or Director.

 

(i)                                     Exercise Price.  The exercise price per Unit purchasable under an Option or subject to a UAR shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option or UAR is granted but, except with respect to a Substitute Award, may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant of the Option or UAR.

 

(ii)                                  Time and Method of Exercise.  The Committee shall determine the exercise terms and the Restricted Period with respect to an Option or UAR, which may include, without limitation, a provision for accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals or other events, and the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect to an Option or UAR may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Company, withholding Units having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price from the Award, a “cashless” exercise through procedures approved by the Company, or any combination of the foregoing methods.

 

(iii)                               Forfeitures.  Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Option or UAR Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s Service for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all unvested Options and UARs shall be forfeited by the Participant.  The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Options and/or UARs; provided that the waiver contemplated under this Section 6(a)(iii) shall be effective only to the extent that such waiver will not cause the Participant’s Options and UARs that are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy such requirements.

 

(iv)                              Exercise of Options and UARs on Termination of Service.  Each Option and UAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option or UAR following a termination of the Participant’s Service.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if the Participant’s Service is terminated for cause, the Participant’s right to exercise the Option or UAR shall terminate immediately on the effective date of the Participant’s termination.  To the extent the Option or UAR was not vested and exercisable as of the termination of Service, the Option or UAR shall terminate when the Participant’s Service terminates.  Subject to the foregoing, such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options and UARs issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

 

(v)                                 Term of Options and UARs.  The term of each Option and UAR shall be stated in the Award Agreement, provided, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof.

 

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(vi)                              Prohibition on Repricing.  Subject to Section 4(c) and Section 7(c), the Committee shall not, without the approval of the unitholders of the Partnership, (i) reduce the per Unit exercise price of any outstanding Option or UAR, (ii) cancel any Option or UAR in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or UAR price per Unit exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Units, or (iii) otherwise reprice any Option or UAR.  Subject to Sections 4(c), 7 and 8(e) hereof, the Committee shall have the authority, without the approval of the unitholders of the Partnership, to amend any outstanding Award, to increase the exercise price per Unit, or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having an exercise price per Unit that is greater than or equal to the exercise price per Unit of the original Award.

 

(b)                                 Restricted Units and Phantom Units.  The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the applicable Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited and such other terms and conditions, including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability, as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards.

 

(i)                                     DERs.  The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom DERs are granted, whether such DERs are tandem or separate Awards, whether the DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee), the vesting restrictions and payment provisions applicable to the Award, and such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion, all of which shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreements.  DERs may be granted by the Committee based on distributions made with respect to Units, to be credited as of the distribution dates during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Participant and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Committee.  Such DERs shall be converted to cash, Units, Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.  Tandem DERs may be subject to the same or different vesting restrictions as the tandem Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, DERs shall only be paid in a manner that is either exempt from or in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(ii)                              Forfeitures.  Except as otherwise provided in the terms of an Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s Service for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding, unvested Restricted Units and Phantom Units shall be automatically forfeited by the Participant.  The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units; provided, that the waiver contemplated under this Section 6(b)(ii) shall be effective only to the extent that such waiver will not cause the Participant’s Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units that are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy such requirements.

 

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(iii)                               Payment; Lapse of Restrictions.

 

(A)                               Phantom Units.  The Committee shall specify, or permit the Participant to elect in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the conditions and dates or events upon which the cash or Units underlying an award of Phantom Units shall be issued, which dates or events shall not be earlier than the date on which the Phantom Units vest and become nonforfeitable and which conditions and dates or events shall be subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code (unless the Phantom Units are exempt therefrom).

 

(B)                               Restricted Units.  Upon or as soon as reasonably practicable following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to satisfying the tax withholding obligations of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate (or book-entry account, as applicable) so that the Participant then holds an unrestricted Unit.

 

(c)                                  Unit Awards.  Unit Awards may be granted under the Plan (i) to such Employees, Consultants and/or Directors and in such amounts as the Committee, in its discretion, may select, and (ii) subject to such other terms and conditions, including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability, as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards.

 

(d)                                 Profits Interest Units.  Any Restricted Unit award or Unit Award consisting of Profits Interest Units may only be issued to a Participant for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership (i) in the Participant’s capacity as a partner of the Partnership, (ii) in anticipation of the Participant becoming a partner of the Partnership, or (iii) as otherwise determined by the Committee, provided that the Profits Interest Units would constitute “profits interests” within the meaning of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and any published guidance by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.  At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Profits Interest Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate.  Profits Interest Units shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose.

 

(e)                                  Other Unit-Based Awards.  Other Unit-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan to such Employees, Consultants and/or Directors as the Committee, in its discretion, may select.  An Other Unit-Based Award shall be an award denominated or payable in, valued in or otherwise based on or related to Units, in whole or in part.  The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any Other Unit-Based Award.  Upon vesting, an Other Unit-Based Award may be paid in cash, Units (including Restricted Units) or any combination thereof as provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(f)                                   Substitute Awards.  Awards may be granted under the Plan in substitution of similar awards held by individuals who become Employees, Consultants or Directors as a result of a merger, consolidation or acquisition by the Partnership or an Affiliate of another entity or the assets of another entity.  Such Substitute Awards that are Options or UARs may have exercise prices less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the date of the substitution if such

 

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substitution complies with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other applicable laws and securities exchange rules.

 

(g)                                  General.

 

(i)                                     Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together.  Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

 

(ii)                                  Limits on Transfer of Awards.

 

(A)                               Except as provided in paragraph (C) below, each Option and UAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(B)                               Except as provided in paragraph (C) below, no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company, the Partnership or any Affiliate.

 

(C)                               The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that an Award may, on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish, be transferred by a Participant without consideration to any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the instructions to use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act, as applicable, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Committee after taking into account any state, federal, local or foreign tax and securities laws applicable to transferable Awards.  In addition, vested Units may be transferred to the extent permitted by the Partnership Agreement and not otherwise prohibited by the Award Agreement or any other agreement restricting the transfer of such Units.

 

(iii)                               Term of Awards.  Subject to Section 6(a)(v) above, the term of each Award, if any, shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

 

(iv)                              Unit Certificates.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, neither the Company nor the Partnership shall deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Units issued in connection with any Award and instead such Units shall be recorded in the books of the Partnership (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or equity plan administrator).  All

 

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certificates for Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan and all Units issued pursuant to book entry procedures pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any securities exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates or book entry to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

(v)           Consideration for Grants.  To the extent permitted by applicable Law, Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(vi)          Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Units is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Units are listed or traded, and the Units are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration.  In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to obtain or deliver Units pursuant to such Award without violating applicable law or the applicable rules or regulations of any governmental agency or authority or securities exchange.  No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company.

 

SECTION 7.         Amendment and Termination.

 

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

 

(a)           Amendments to the Plan.  Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the principal securities exchange, if any, on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner without the consent of any partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or any other Person.  The Board shall obtain securityholder approval of any Plan

 

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amendment to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law or securities exchange listing standards or rules.

 

(b)           Amendments to Awards.  Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided that no change, other than pursuant to Section 7(c) below, in any Award shall materially reduce the rights or benefits of a Participant with respect to an Award without the consent of such Participant.

 

(c)           Actions Upon the Occurrence of Certain Events.  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, any transaction or event described in Section 4(c), any change in applicable laws or regulations affecting the Plan or Awards hereunder, or any change in accounting principles affecting the financial statements of the Company or the Partnership, the Committee, in its sole discretion, without the consent of any Participant or holder of an Award, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, may take any one or more of the following actions:

 

(i)            provide for either (A) the termination of any Award in exchange for a payment in an amount, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights under such Award (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of such transaction or event, the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

 

(ii)           provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or be exchanged for similar options, rights or awards covering the equity of the successor or survivor, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of equity interests and prices;

 

(iii)          make adjustments in the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, the number and kind of outstanding Awards, the terms and conditions of (including the exercise price), and/or the vesting and performance criteria included in, outstanding Awards;

 

(iv)          provide that such Award shall vest or become exercisable or payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

 

(v)           provide that the Award cannot be exercised or become payable after such event, i.e., shall terminate upon such event.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to an above event that constitutes an “equity restructuring” that would be subject to a compensation expense pursuant ASC Topic 718, the provisions in Section 4(c) above shall control to the extent they are in conflict with the discretionary provisions of this Section 7, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7(c) or Section 4(c) above shall be construed as providing any Participant or any beneficiary of an Award any rights with respect to the “time value,” “economic opportunity” or “intrinsic value” of an Award or limiting in any manner the Committee’s actions that may be taken with respect to an Award as set forth in this Section 7 or in Section 4(c) above; and (ii) no action shall be taken under this Section 7 which shall cause an Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder, to the extent applicable to such Award.

 

SECTION 8.         General Provisions.

 

(a)           No Rights to Award.  No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants.  The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(b)           Tax Withholding.  Unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the Company, the Company or any Affiliate thereof is authorized to deduct or withhold, or cause to be deducted or withheld, from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of an Award, including its grant, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer thereunder or under the Plan, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.  In the event that Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to an Award are used to satisfy such withholding obligations, the number of Units which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Units which have a fair market value (which, in the case of a broker-assisted transaction, shall be determined by the Committee, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code) on the date of withholding equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.

 

(c)           No Right to Employment or Services.  The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, continue consulting services or to remain on the Board, as applicable.  Furthermore, the Company, the Partnership or an Affiliate thereof may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or consulting free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other written agreement.

 

(d)           No Rights as Unitholder.  Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a unitholder with respect to Units covered by any Award unless and until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Units.

 

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(e)           Section 409A.  To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code.  To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (as defined in Section 9 below) of the Plan.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date of the Plan the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date of the Plan), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section; provided, however, that nothing herein shall create any obligation on the part of the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, nor shall the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates have any liability for failing to do so.  Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the time of payment with respect to any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code shall not be accelerated, except as permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

(f)            Lock-Up Agreement.  Each Participant shall agree, if so requested by the Company or the Partnership and any underwriter in connection with any public offering of securities of the Partnership or any Affiliate, not to directly or indirectly offer, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of or otherwise dispose of or transfer any Units held by it for such period, not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of the relevant registration statement filed under the Securities Act in connection with such public offering, as such underwriter shall specify reasonably and in good faith.  The Company or the Partnership may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such 180-day period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed necessary by such underwriter or the Company or Partnership to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with FINRA Rule 2711 or any successor rule.

 

(g)          Compliance with Laws.  The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Units and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Units are listed, quoted or traded, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel

 

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for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith.  Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the Person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.  In the event an Award is granted to or held by a Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the provisions of the Plan or of such Award as they pertain to such Participant to comply with applicable foreign law or to recognize differences in local law, currency or tax policy.  The Committee may also impose conditions on the grant, issuance, exercise, vesting, settlement or retention of Awards in order to comply with such foreign law and/or to minimize the Company’s or the Partnership’s obligations with respect to tax equalization for Participants employed outside their home country.

 

(h)           Governing Law.  The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

(i)            Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes, or is deemed to be, invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(j)            Other Laws.  The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.

 

(k)           No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any participating Affiliate of the Company and a Participant or any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any participating Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any participating Affiliate of the Company.

 

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(l)            No Fractional Units.  No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

 

(m)          Headings.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision hereof.

 

(n)          No Guarantee of Tax Consequences.  None of the Board, the Committee, the Company nor the Partnership makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will (or will not) apply or be available to any Participant.

 

(o)           Clawback; Misconduct.  To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards shall be subject to clawback as determined by the Committee, which clawback may include forfeiture, repurchase and/or recoupment of Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards.  In addition, and without limiting the foregoing, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, if at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered or an award has vested) the Committee or any person designated by the Committee (each such person, an “Authorized Officer”) reasonably believes that a Participant may have committed an Act of Misconduct as described in this Section 8(o), the Authorized Officer, the Committee or the Board may suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise or to vest in an Award, and/or to receive payment for or receive Units in settlement of an Award pending a determination of whether an Act of Misconduct has been committed.

 

If the Committee or an Authorized Officer determines a Participant has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, breach of fiduciary duty, violation of ethics policy or code of conduct, or deliberate disregard of the Company’s or Affiliate of the Company’s rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information, solicits any Employee or other service provider to leave the employ or cease providing services to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, breaches any intellectual property or assignment of inventions covenant, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, breaches any non-competition agreement, induces any customer to breach a contract with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or to cease doing business with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or induces any principal for whom the Company or any Affiliate of the Company acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship (any of the foregoing acts, an “Act of Misconduct”), then except as otherwise provided by the Committee, (i) neither the Participant nor his or her estate nor transferee shall be entitled to exercise any Option or Unit Appreciation Right whatsoever, vest in or have the restrictions on an Award lapse, or otherwise receive payment of an Award, (ii) the Participant will forfeit all outstanding Awards and (iii) the Participant may be required, at the Committee’s sole discretion, to return and/or repay to the Company or the Partnership any then unvested Units previously granted under the Plan.  In making such determination, the Committee or an Authorized Officer shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and

 

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present evidence on his or her behalf at a hearing before the Committee or its designee or an opportunity to submit written comments, documents, information and arguments to be considered by the Committee.

 

(p)           Facility Payment.  Any amounts payable hereunder to any Person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his or her financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such Person, or may be applied for the benefit of such Person in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Partnership, the Company and all of their Affiliates shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

 

SECTION 9.         Term of the Plan.

 

The Plan shall be effective on the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue until the earliest of (i) the date terminated by the Board, or (ii) the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board.  However, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.  The Plan shall, within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan, be submitted for approval by a majority of the outstanding securities of the Partnership entitled to vote.

 

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