Document:

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

LONESTAR RESOURCES AMERICA INC.

 

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

 

8.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 4, 2014

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 1
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
DEFINITIONS AND   INCORPORATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
BY REFERENCE
    	
 
    
	
Section 1.01
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.02
    	
Other Definitions
    	
29
    
	
Section 1.03
    	
Incorporation by   Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    	
30
    
	
Section 1.04
    	
Rules of   Construction
    	
30
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 2
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
THE NOTES
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 2.01
    	
Form and Dating
    	
31
    
	
Section 2.02
    	
Execution and   Authentication
    	
32
    
	
Section 2.03
    	
Registrar and Paying   Agent
    	
33
    
	
Section 2.04
    	
Paying Agent to Hold   Money in Trust
    	
33
    
	
Section 2.05
    	
Holder Lists
    	
33
    
	
Section 2.06
    	
Transfer and Exchange
    	
33
    
	
Section 2.07
    	
Replacement Notes
    	
44
    
	
Section 2.08
    	
Outstanding Notes
    	
44
    
	
Section 2.09
    	
Treasury Notes
    	
45
    
	
Section 2.10
    	
Temporary Notes
    	
45
    
	
Section 2.11
    	
Cancellation
    	
45
    
	
Section 2.12
    	
Defaulted Interest
    	
45
    
	
Section 2.13
    	
CUSIP/ISIN Numbers
    	
46
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 3
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
REDEMPTION AND   PREPAYMENT
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 3.01
    	
Notices to Trustee
    	
46
    
	
Section 3.02
    	
Selection of Notes to   Be Redeemed or Purchased
    	
46
    
	
Section 3.03
    	
Notice of Redemption
    	
47
    
	
Section 3.04
    	
Effect of Notice of   Redemption
    	
47
    
	
Section 3.05
    	
Deposit of Redemption   or Purchase Price
    	
48
    
	
Section 3.06
    	
Notes Redeemed or   Purchased in Part
    	
48
    
	
Section 3.07
    	
Optional Redemption
    	
48
    
	
Section 3.08
    	
Open Market Purchases;   Mandatory Redemption
    	
49
    
	
Section 3.09
    	
Offer to Purchase by   Application of Excess Proceeds
    	
49
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 4
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
COVENANTS
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 4.01
    	
Payment of Notes
    	
51
    
	
Section 4.02
    	
Maintenance of Office   or Agency
    	
51
    
	
Section 4.03
    	
Reports
    	
52
    
	
Section 4.04
    	
Compliance Certificate
    	
53
    
	
Section 4.05
    	
Taxes
    	
53
    
	
Section 4.06
    	
Stay, Extension and   Usury Laws
    	
54
    
	
Section 4.07
    	
Restricted Payments
    	
54
    
	
Section 4.08
    	
Dividend and Other   Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
    	
58
    
	
Section 4.09
    	
Incurrence of   Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
    	
60
    

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 4.10
    	
Asset Sales
    	
64
    
	
Section 4.11
    	
Transactions with   Affiliates
    	
66
    
	
Section 4.12
    	
Liens
    	
68
    
	
Section 4.13
    	
Business Activities
    	
68
    
	
Section 4.14
    	
Corporate Existence
    	
68
    
	
Section 4.15
    	
Offer to Repurchase   Upon Change of Control
    	
69
    
	
Section 4.16
    	
Limitation on Sale and   Leaseback Transactions
    	
70
    
	
Section 4.17
    	
Payments for Consent
    	
71
    
	
Section 4.18
    	
Additional Note   Guarantees
    	
71
    
	
Section 4.19
    	
Designation of Restricted   and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
    	
71
    
	
Section 4.20
    	
Covenant Suspension
    	
72
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 5
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SUCCESSORS
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 5.01
    	
Merger, Consolidation   or Sale of Assets
    	
72
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 6
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
DEFAULTS AND   REMEDIES
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 6.01
    	
Events of Default
    	
74
    
	
Section 6.02
    	
Acceleration
    	
75
    
	
Section 6.03
    	
Other Remedies
    	
76
    
	
Section 6.04
    	
Waiver of Past Defaults
    	
76
    
	
Section 6.05
    	
Control by Majority
    	
76
    
	
Section 6.06
    	
Limitation on Suits
    	
76
    
	
Section 6.07
    	
Rights of Holders of   Notes to Receive Payment
    	
77
    
	
Section 6.08
    	
Collection Suit by   Trustee
    	
77
    
	
Section 6.09
    	
Trustee May File   Proofs of Claim
    	
77
    
	
Section 6.10
    	
Priorities
    	
77
    
	
Section 6.11
    	
Undertaking for Costs
    	
78
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 7
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
TRUSTEE
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 7.01
    	
Duties of Trustee
    	
78
    
	
Section 7.02
    	
Rights of Trustee
    	
79
    
	
Section 7.03
    	
Individual Rights of   Trustee
    	
80
    
	
Section 7.04
    	
Trustee’s Disclaimer
    	
80
    
	
Section 7.05
    	
Notice of Defaults
    	
80
    
	
Section 7.06
    	
Reports by Trustee to   Holders of the Notes
    	
80
    
	
Section 7.07
    	
Compensation and   Indemnity
    	
80
    
	
Section 7.08
    	
Replacement of Trustee
    	
81
    
	
Section 7.09
    	
Successor Trustee by   Merger, etc.
    	
82
    
	
Section 7.10
    	
Eligibility;   Disqualification
    	
82
    
	
Section 7.11
    	
Preferential Collection   of Claims Against Company
    	
82
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 8
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
LEGAL DEFEASANCE   AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 8.01
    	
Option to Effect Legal   Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    	
83
    
	
Section 8.02
    	
Legal Defeasance and   Discharge
    	
83
    
	
Section 8.03
    	
Covenant Defeasance
    	
83
    
	
Section 8.04
    	
Conditions to Legal or   Covenant Defeasance
    	
84
    

 

ii

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 8.05
    	
Deposited Money and   Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    	
85
    
	
Section 8.06
    	
Repayment to Company
    	
85
    
	
Section 8.07
    	
Reinstatement
    	
86
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 9
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
AMENDMENT,   SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 9.01
    	
Without Consent of   Holders of Notes
    	
86
    
	
Section 9.02
    	
With Consent of Holders   of Notes
    	
87
    
	
Section 9.03
    	
Revocation and Effect   of Consents
    	
89
    
	
Section 9.04
    	
Notation on or Exchange   of Notes
    	
89
    
	
Section 9.05
    	
Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
    	
89
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 10.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
NOTE GUARANTEES
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 10.01.
    	
Guarantee
    	
89
    
	
Section 10.02.
    	
Limitation on Guarantor   Liability
    	
90
    
	
Section 10.03.
    	
Execution and Delivery   of Note Guarantee
    	
90
    
	
Section 10.04.
    	
Guarantors   May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms
    	
91
    
	
Section 10.05.
    	
Releases
    	
92
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 11
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SATISFACTION AND   DISCHARGE
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 11.01
    	
Satisfaction and   Discharge
    	
92
    
	
Section 11.02
    	
Application of Trust   Money
    	
93
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ARTICLE 12
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 12.01
    	
Trust Indenture Act   Controls
    	
94
    
	
Section 12.02
    	
Notices
    	
94
    
	
Section 12.03
    	
Communication by   Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes
    	
95
    
	
Section 12.04
    	
Certificate and Opinion   as to Conditions Precedent
    	
95
    
	
Section 12.05
    	
Statements Required in   Certificate or Opinion
    	
95
    
	
Section 12.06
    	
Rules by Trustee   and Agents
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.07
    	
No Personal Liability   of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.08
    	
Governing Law
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.09
    	
No Adverse   Interpretation of Other Agreements
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.10
    	
Successors
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.11
    	
Severability
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.12
    	
Counterpart Originals
    	
96
    
	
Section 12.13
    	
Table of Contents,   Headings, etc.
    	
97
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EXHIBITS
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit A1
    	
FORM OF NOTE
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit A2
    	
FORM OF REGULATION   S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
FORM OF   CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
FORM OF   CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
FORM OF NOTATION   OF GUARANTEE
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
FORM OF   CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING ACCREDITED INVESTOR
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit F
    	
FORM OF   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
    	
 
    
				

 

iii

 

INDENTURE dated as of April 4, 2014 among Lonestar Resources America Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors, the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the 8.750% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”):

 

ARTICLE 1
 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
 BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01     Definitions.

 

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

“Accredited Investor” means an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

 

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                 Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

 

(2)                                 Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

“Additional Notes” means the additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

 

“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication:

 

(a)                                 the sum of:

 

(i)                                     the discounted future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (before any state or federal income taxes) as estimated in a reserve report prepared or audited by independent petroleum engineers as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenues from:

 

(A) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired since the date of such year-end reserve report, and

 

1

 

(B) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since the date of such year-end reserve report due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions,

 

and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:

 

(C) estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report, and

 

(D) reductions in estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

 

in the case of the preceding clauses (A) through (D), calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report) by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for such purpose;

 

(ii)                                  the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and natural gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available,

 

(iii)                               the Consolidated Net Working Capital of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; and

 

(iv)                              the greater of:

 

(A) the net book value and

 

(B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries)

 

in each case, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; provided that if no such appraisal has been performed, the Company will not be required to obtain such an appraisal and only clause (iv)(A) of this definition will apply,

 

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minus, to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (a),

 

(b)                                 the sum of

 

(i)                                     minority interests;

 

(ii)                                  to the extent not otherwise taken into account in determining Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of the Company’s most recent annual or quarterly period for which internal financial statements are available;

 

(iii)                               to the extent included in clause (a)(i) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report) by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineer engaged by the Company for such purpose, attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and

 

(iv)                              the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

 

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full costs method or a similar method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

 

“Adjusted Reserve Value” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication:

 

(a)                                 the discounted future net revenues from proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (before any state or federal income taxes) as estimated in the most recent reserve report prepared or audited by the Company’s independent petroleum engineers, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenues from:

 

(i) estimated proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired since the date of such reserve report, and

 

(ii) estimated proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since the date of such reserve report due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other

 

3

 

activities which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions,

 

and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:

 

(iii) estimated proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such reserve report, and

 

(iv) reductions in estimated proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves since the date of such report due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

 

in the case of the preceding clauses (i) through (iv), calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines by the Company’s petroleum engineers;

 

minus, to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (a),

 

(b)                                 the sum of:

 

(i) to the extent included in clause (a) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineer engaged by the Company for such purpose, attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and

 

(ii) the discounted future net revenues, calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

 

As of any date of determination, the pricing utilized in the foregoing calculation shall be the unweighted average of the closing prices for the applicable commodity on the first day of each of the twelve months preceding such date of determination.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.  For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

 

4

 

“AI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Accredited Investors.

 

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

 

(1)                                 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

 

(2)                                 the excess of:  (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at April 15, 2016, (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through April 15, 2016, (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of the Note.

 

The Company will calculate the Applicable Premium at least two Business Days prior to the redemption and give written notice thereof to the Trustee.

 

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

“Asset Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of: (1) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person of the type referenced under clauses (1), (2) and (4) of the definition of “Indebtedness” outstanding on such date (and, for this purpose, letters of credit will be deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof, whether or not drawn), to (2) the Adjusted Reserve Value for the most recent four-quarter period for which internal financial statements are available. The Asset Coverage Ratio shall be calculated using the same methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

“Asset Sale” means:

 

(1)                                 the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.15 and/or Section 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; and

 

(2)                                 the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

 

(1)                                 any single transaction or series of related transactions that (a) involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $7.5 million, or (b) results in Net Proceeds to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $7.5 million;

 

(2)                                 a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

5

 

(3)                                 an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(4)                                 the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of equipment, inventory, products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of surplus, damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets (including the abandonment or other disposition of licenses and sublicenses of software, intellectual property or other general intangibles that are, as determined in good faith by the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole);

 

(5)                                 licenses and sublicenses by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of software or intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6)                                 any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)                                 the granting of Liens not prohibited by Section 4.12 hereof;

 

(8)                                 the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents or the sale or other disposition of other financial assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                 a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

 

(10)                          the sale or transfer of Hydrocarbons or other mineral products in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                          the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of Oil and Gas Properties or direct or indirect interests therein to which no proved reserves are attributable at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition;

 

(12)                          the abandonment, farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)                          Asset Swaps;

 

(14)                          the disposition of assets or Equity Interests received in settlement of debts owing to the Company as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien or debt, which debts were owing thereto;

 

(15)                          any sale or other disposition of assets, Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(16)                          any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto.

 

“Asset Swap” means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 180 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any assets or properties used or useful in the Oil and

 

6

 

Gas Business between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) is reasonably equivalent, as determined in good faith by the Company, to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further, that any net cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof if then in effect, as if the Asset Swap were an Asset Sale.

 

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time.  The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

“Board of Directors” means:

 

(1)                                 with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

(2)                                 with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

 

(3)                                 with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

 

(4)                                 with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

“Capital Stock” means:

 

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(1)                                 in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

(2)                                 in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3)                                 in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

(4)                                 any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1)                                 United States dollars;

 

(2)                                 Government Securities having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                                 marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

(4)                                 certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million or that is a lender under a Credit Facility;

 

(5)                                 repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

 

(6)                                 commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within six months after the date of acquisition;

 

(7)                                 money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition; and

 

(8)                                 marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively, and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of the creation thereof.

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(1)                                 the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole

 

8

 

to any Person (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act));

 

(2)                                 the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

(3)                                 the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” (as defined above), other than the Qualifying Owners and their related parties, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

 

(4)                                 the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity (including by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation) or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests in another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transactions, together with Qualifying Owners, Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity or its general partner, as applicable, and, in either case no “person” (other than a Qualifying Owner) Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or its general partner, as applicable.

 

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

 

“Consolidated EBITDAX” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

 

(1)                                 an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(2)                                 provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(3)                                 the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(4)                                 any foreign currency translation losses (including losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such losses were taken into account in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(5)                                 depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-

 

9

 

cash charges and expenses (excluding any such non-cash charge or expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges or expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash charge or expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(6)                                 expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, merger, consolidation, disposition, recapitalization, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness or other similar transaction permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (whether or not successful); plus

 

(7)                                 consolidated exploration expenses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(8)                                 non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; minus

 

(9)                                 to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and that are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;

 

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis (excluding the net income (loss) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person), determined in accordance with GAAP and without any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends; provided that:

 

(1)                                 all extraordinary gains (but not losses) and all gains (but not losses) realized in connection with any Asset Sale or the disposition of securities or the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain, will be excluded;

 

(2)                                 the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

(3)                                 the net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

 

(4)                                 the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

 

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(5)                                 non-cash gains and losses attributable to movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations pursuant to FASB ASC 815; and

 

(6)                                 any write-downs of non-current assets will be excluded, including any “ceiling limitation” write-downs under SEC guidelines.

 

“Consolidated Net Working Capital” of any Person as of any date of determination means the difference (shown on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of such Person for which internal financial statements are available) between (i) all current assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) all current liabilities of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries except the current portion of long-term Indebtedness.

 

“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

 

(1)                                 was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or

 

(2)                                 was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval or consent of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

 

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2013, by and among the Company, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, including any related Notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders or institutional investors or other lenders or credit providers providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, term debt, debt securities, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, extended, increased, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Customary Recourse Exceptions” means with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication

 

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of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

 

“De Minimis Amount” means Indebtedness that does not exceed $1.0 million in aggregate principal amount.

 

“Deemed Capitalized Leases” means obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are classified as “capital lease obligations” under GAAP due to the application of ASC Topic 840 or any subsequent pronouncement having similar effect and, except for such regulation or pronouncement, such obligation would not constitute a Capital Lease Obligation.

 

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.  The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

For purposes hereof, the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock, such fair market value to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Stock.

 

“Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

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“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.

 

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

“Equity Offering” means a public or private sale either (1) of Equity Interests of the Company by the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) or (2) of Equity Interests of a direct or indirect parent entity of the Company (other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) to the extent that the net proceeds therefrom are contributed to the common equity capital of the Company.

 

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

 

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

 

“Existing Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

 

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (in the case of amounts of $20.0 million or more) and otherwise by an officer of the Company.

 

“FASB ASC 815”  means Financial Accounting Standards Board—Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

 

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.  In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

 

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

 

(1)                                 acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including all related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, or that are to be made on the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma

 

13

 

effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

 

(2)                                 the Consolidated EBITDAX attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

 

(3)                                 the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

 

(4)                                 any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date or is to be a Restricted Subsidiary immediately following the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

 

(5)                                 any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date or is not to be a Restricted Subsidiary immediately following the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period;

 

(6)                                 if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Hedging Obligation is less than 12 months, then such interest Hedging Obligation shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof);

 

(7)                                 if any Indebtedness that is being given pro-forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of such Person, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such option rate chosen by such Person; and

 

(8)                                 interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as such Person may designate.

 

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1)                                 the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) write-off of deferred financing costs and (ii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, but including amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations other than that attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations and Deemed Capitalized Leases, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or

 

14

 

bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Contracts; plus

 

(2)                                 the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

 

(3)                                 any interest on Indebtedness of another Person (other than Non-Recourse Debt of any Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

(4)                                 all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.  All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.

 

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4) or 2.06(d)(2) hereof.

 

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed or insured by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

 

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

 

“Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is a party to a Note Guarantee under the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

 

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(1)                                 interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

 

(2)                                 other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

 

(3)                                 Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

“Hydrocarbons” means oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

 

(1)                                 in respect of borrowed money;

 

(2)                                 evidenced by or issued in exchange for bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

 

(3)                                 in respect of banker’s acceptances;

 

(4)                                 representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;

 

(5)                                 representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed;

 

(6)                                 representing any Hedging Obligations; or

 

(7)                                 in respect of any Guarantee by such Person of production or payment with respect to a Production Payment (but not any other contractual obligation in respect of such Production Payment),

 

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, but excluding Deemed Capitalized Leases.  In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person. Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of FASB ASC 815 or similar pronouncements and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts increased or decreased that would have constituted “Indebtedness” under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

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“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

“Initial Notes” means the first $220.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

“Initial Purchasers” means Jefferies LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and GMP Securities L.P.

 

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.  If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(f) hereof.  The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(f) hereof.  Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

 

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to the ratings business thereof.

 

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate amount of cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the

 

17

 

Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment or indemnification obligations in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Non-Recourse Debt” means, with respect to Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                 as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise except, in each case for Customary Recourse Exceptions and except by the pledge of (or a guaranty limited in recourse solely to) the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                 no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity. except for Indebtedness that results from the pledge of (or a guaranty limited in recourse solely to) Equity Interests in such Unrestricted Subsidiary held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that constitutes Non-Recourse Debt; and

 

(3)                                 as to which the lenders will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary), except for Customary Recourse Exceptions.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, in the event that any Indebtedness of any of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, as set forth in this Indenture.

 

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.  The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means the Company’s Offering Memorandum, dated April 1, 2014, relating to the Company’s offer and sale of the Initial Notes.

 

18

 

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.

 

“Oil and Gas Business” means (i) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, production, treatment, operation, servicing processing, refining and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other Hydrocarbon properties (including the acquisition of properties and interests therein the Company in its reasonable judgment deems necessary or appropriate for the activities described in the foregoing), (ii) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, selling and transporting of oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbon products, (iii) any business relating to exploration for or exploitation, development, production, treatment, operation, servicing, processing, refining, storage, transportation or marketing of oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbon product and other minerals and products produced in association therewith and (iv) any activity that is ancillary or incidental to or necessary or appropriate for the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this definition.

 

“Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts” means any puts, calls, cap transactions, floor or ceiling transactions, collar transactions, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar transaction or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons to be used, produced, processed or sold by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in Hydrocarbons prices and not for speculative purposes.

 

“Oil and Gas Properties” means all Properties, include equity or other ownership interest therein, owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which contain “proved oil and gas reserves” as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

 

“Parent” means Lonestar Resources Ltd, a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.

 

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

“Permitted Business Investments” means investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and natural gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

19

 

(1)                                 direct or indirect ownership interests in crude oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbon properties or any interest therein, gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems, or ancillary real property interests and interests therein; and

 

(2)                                 the entry into and Investments and expenditures in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, joint ventures, processing agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, production sharing agreements, production sales and marketing agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), incentive compensation programs on terms that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements.

 

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(1)                                 any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(2)                                 any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

(3)                                 any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person whose primary business is the Oil and Gas Business, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(4)                                 any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(5)                                 any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock or other Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

(6)                                 any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

 

(7)                                 Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

(8)                                 loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.5 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(9)                                 repurchases of the Notes and Note Guarantees;

 

20

 

(10)                          any Guarantee of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by Section 4.09 hereof other than a guarantee of Indebtedness of an Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(11)                          any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the date of this Indenture and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to a binding commitment existing on, the date of this Indenture; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (a) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the date of this Indenture or (b) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(12)                          Investments acquired after the date of this Indenture as a result of the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of another Person, including by way of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, in each case, in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof after the date of this Indenture to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(13)                          Permitted Business Investments;

 

(14)                          Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course of business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses or concessions related to the Oil and Gas Business; and

 

(15)                          Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by, or other transfer of title to, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(16)                          receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(17)                          advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the ordinary course of business;

 

(18)                          any transaction that constitutes an Investment to the extent permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (3), (5), (6), (11), (12), (13) and (14) thereof); and

 

(19)                          other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (20) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $10.0 million and (b) 1.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

21

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(1)                                 Liens on assets of the Company or any Guarantor securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit Facilities that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and/or securing Hedging Obligations and/or securing Obligations with respect to Treasury Management Arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)                                 Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (together with all improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights relating primarily thereto and all proceeds thereof);

 

(3)                                 Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

 

(4)                                 Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, insurance, surety or appeal bonds, workers’ compensation obligations, leases, utility contracts, tenders, bids, government and other contracts, performance, return-of-money, plugging and abandonment and performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens to secure letters of credit issued to assure payment of such obligations), and in connection with workers’ compensation, health, disability or other benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations and other social security or similar legislation, old age pension or public liability obligations (including Liens to secure guarantees, contingent reimbursement obligations or other contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees functioning as or supporting or issued to assure payment or performance of any of the foregoing bonds or obligations);

 

(5)                                 Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness Company (together with all improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights relating primarily thereto and all proceeds thereof);

 

(6)                                 Liens on the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(7)                                 Liens existing on the date of this Indenture, other than Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred pursuant Section 4.09(b)(1) hereof;

 

(8)                                 Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

 

22

 

(9)                                 landlords’, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, suppliers’, workers’, construction or like Liens arising by contract or statute in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties, each of which is in respect to amounts which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(10)                          survey exceptions, easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of Hydrocarbons, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, Liens related to surface leases and surface operations, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(11)                          Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes or the Note Guarantees;

 

(12)                          Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, that:

 

(a) the new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged with such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

 

(13)                          Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

 

(14)                          filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases and other Uniform Commercial Code security interests not constituting Liens on Indebtedness;

 

(15)                          bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff, Liens arising out of judgments or awards not constituting an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(16)                          Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness;

 

(17)                          Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of

 

23

 

bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(18)                          grants of software and other technology licenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(19)                          Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)                          Liens in favor of the Company or any of the Guarantors;

 

(21)                          Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales, which Liens shall be limited to the property that is the subject of such Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(22)                          Liens in pipeline or pipeline facilities that arise under operation of law;

 

(23)                          Liens arising under oil and natural gas leases or subleases, assignments, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, licenses, sublicenses and other agreements that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that all such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract; and

 

(24)                          Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, provided, however, that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness;

 

(25)                          any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien permitted by clauses (1) through (24) above and (26) below; provided that (a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection therewith and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are encumbered thereby (other than all improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights relating primarily thereto and all proceeds thereof); and

 

(26)                          Liens incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and secured by any Liens incurred pursuant to this clause (26) does not exceed the greater of (a) $10.0 million and (b) 1.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; determined at the time such Lien is incurred.

 

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“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

 

(1)                                 the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

 

(2)                                 such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than (a) the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged or (b) 90 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;

 

(3)                                 such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

 

(4)                                 if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as applicable, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

 

(5)                                 such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged and is guaranteed only by Persons who were obligors on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

 

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Production Payments” means Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments, collectively.

 

“Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and

 

25

 

Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

“Qualifying Equity Interests” means Equity Interests of the Company other than Disqualified Stock.

 

“Qualifying Owners” means each of Ecofin Energy Resources PLC and Parent or any general partner, managing member, principal or managing director of any of the foregoing.

 

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as appropriate.

 

“Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

 

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A2 hereto deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

 

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

26

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, and any successor to the ratings business thereof.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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

 

“Senior Debt” means:

 

(1)                                 all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and all obligations under Hedging Contracts with respect thereto;

 

(2)                                 any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Note Guarantee; and

 

(3)                                 all obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

 

(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or

 

(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, “Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the first date it was incurred in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                 any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

27

 

(2)                                 any partnership or limited liability company of which (a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

 

“Treasury Management Arrangement” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of the earlier of (a) such redemption date or (b) the date on which such Notes are defeased or satisfied and discharged, of the most recently issued United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2016; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2016, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. Any such Treasury Rate shall be obtained by the Company.

 

“Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

 

(1)                                 has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(2)                                 except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

 

28

 

(3)                                 is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(4)                                 has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

 

(1)                                 the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

 

(2)                                 the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Section 1.02                             Other Definitions.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Defined
   in
    	
 
    
	
Term
    	
 
    	
Section
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
“Affiliate   Transaction”
    	
 
    	
4.11
    	
 
    
	
“Asset   Sale Offer”
    	
 
    	
3.09
    	
 
    
	
“Authentication   Order”
    	
 
    	
2.02
    	
 
    
	
“Change   of Control Offer”
    	
 
    	
4.15
    	
 
    
	
“Change   of Control Payment”
    	
 
    	
4.15
    	
 
    
	
“Change   of Control Payment Date”
    	
 
    	
4.15
    	
 
    
	
“Covenant   Defeasance”
    	
 
    	
8.03
    	
 
    
	
“DTC”
    	
 
    	
2.03
    	
 
    
	
“Event   of Default”
    	
 
    	
6.01
    	
 
    
	
“Excess   Proceeds”
    	
 
    	
4.10
    	
 
    
	
“incur”
    	
 
    	
4.09
    	
 
    
	
“Legal   Defeasance”
    	
 
    	
8.02
    	
 
    
	
“Offer   Amount”
    	
 
    	
3.09
    	
 
    
	
“Offer   Period”
    	
 
    	
3.09
    	
 
    
	
“Paying   Agent”
    	
 
    	
2.03
    	
 
    
	
“Permitted   Debt”
    	
 
    	
4.09
    	
 
    
	
“Payment   Default”
    	
 
    	
6.01
    	
 
    

 

29

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Defined
   in
    	
 
    
	
Term
    	
 
    	
Section
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
“Purchase   Date”
    	
 
    	
3.09
    	
 
    
	
“Registrar”
    	
 
    	
2.03
    	
 
    
	
“Restricted   Payments”
    	
 
    	
4.07
    	
 
    

 

Section 1.03                             Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

 

“obligor” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

Section 1.04                             Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)                                 a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(2)                                 an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 “including” is not limiting;

 

(5)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(6)                                 “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

(7)                                 provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(8)                                 references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2
 THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01                             Form and Dating.

 

(a)                                 General.  The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 and A2 hereto.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage.  Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b)                                 Global Notes.  Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 or A2 hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).  Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).  Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.  Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c)                                  Temporary Global Notes.  Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S will be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which will be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The Restricted Period will be terminated upon the receipt by the Trustee of a written certificate from the Depositary, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who will take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note or an AI Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof).

 

Following the termination of the Restricted Period, the Company shall instruct, which instructions shall be in writing and comply with Rule 9.03(b)(3)(ii)(B) of Regulation S, the Trustee to, and upon such instructions, the Trustee shall, exchange beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the exchange of such beneficial interests and in accordance with Section 2.06(g) hereof, the Trustee will (i) reduce and endorse the Regulation S Temporary Global Note accordingly and (ii) increase and endorse the Regulation S Permanent Global Note accordingly. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent

 

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Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

 

(d)                                 Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable.  The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

Section 2.02                             Execution and Authentication.

 

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronically transmitted signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

 

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.  The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue (i) on the date hereof as Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $220.0 million and (ii) thereafter any Additional Notes that may be validly issued under this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

The Trustee shall also authenticate and deliver Notes at the times and in the manner specified in Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.15 and 9.04 hereof.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to original issuance thereof, the following information:

 

(a)                                 the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(b)                                 the issue price, the issue date (and the corresponding date from which interest shall accrue thereon and the first interest payment date therefor) and the CUSIP and/or ISIN number of such Additional Notes; and

 

(c)                                  whether such Additional Notes shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2.06 hereof relating to Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

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Section 2.03                             Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”).  The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.  The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.  The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

Section 2.04                             Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05                             Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

 

Section 2.06                             Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)                                 Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.  A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.  All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

 

(1)                                 the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency

 

33

 

registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

 

(2)                                 the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act;  or

 

(3)                                 there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Notes for Definitive Notes.

 

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee.  Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof.  Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note.  A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.

 

(b)                                 Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes.  The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures.  Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.  Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

(1)                                 Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.  Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser).  Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

 

(2)                                 All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes.  In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A)                               both:

 

(i)                                     a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global

 

34

 

Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii)                                  instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

(B)                               both:

 

(i)                                     a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii)                                  instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above;

 

provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

(3)                                 Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in Another Restricted Global Note.  A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)                               if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note or the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C)                               if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the AI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(4)                                 Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note.  A beneficial interest in any Restricted

 

35

 

Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)                                     if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(ii)                                  if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(b)(4), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4).

 

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)                                  Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes. The following provisions of this Section 2.06(c) shall apply to transfers or exchanges of beneficial interests in a Global Note for a Definitive Note pursuant to Section 2.06(a) hereof. Except as provided in Section 2.06(a) hereof, Holders shall not be entitled to effect such an exchange.

 

(1)                                 Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes.  If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)                               if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B)                               if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

36

 

(C)                               if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)                               if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)                                if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F)                                 if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G)                               if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.  The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(2)                                 Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes.  Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(1)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

 

(3)                                 Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

37

 

(i)                                     if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(ii)                                  if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(c)(3), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(4)                                 Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.  The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.  Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)                                 Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

 

(1)                                 Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes.  If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)                               if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B)                               if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

38

 

(C)                               if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)                               if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)                                if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F)                                 if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(G)                               if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the AI Global Note.

 

(2)                                 Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.  A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)                                     if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(ii)                                  if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(d)(2), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

39

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(3)                                 Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.  A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time.  Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

(e)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes.  Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes.  Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing.  In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(1)                                 Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes.  Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)                               if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)                               if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C)                               if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(2)                                 Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)                                     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such

 

40

 

Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

(ii)                                  if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(e)(2), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(3)                                 Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.  A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.  Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f)                                   Legends.  The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(1)                                 Private Placement Legend.

 

(A)                               Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR SECURITIES ACT, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS A NON-U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, OR (C) IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE HOLDING PERIOD WITH RESPECT TO RESTRICTED SECURITIES SET FORTH IN RULE 144 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT

 

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THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, (D) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION D THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S, OR REGISTRAR’S, AS APPLICABLE, RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE OR REGISTRAR. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE HOLDING PERIOD WITH RESPECT TO RESTRICTED SECURITIES SET FORTH IN RULE 144.”

 

(B)                               Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(3), (c)(4), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(2)                                 Global Note Legend.  Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS

 

42

 

MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(3)                                 Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend.  The Regulation S Temporary Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR A REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.”

 

(g)                                  Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes.  At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for beneficial interests in another Global Note or Definitive Notes, or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)                                 General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(1)                                 To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(2)                                 No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(3)                                 All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(4)                                 Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

 

(A)                               to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of

 

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Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

(B)                               to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

 

(C)                               to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

(5)                                 Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(6)                                 The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

(7)                                 All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic image scan.

 

Section 2.07                             Replacement Notes.

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.08                             Outstanding Notes.

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.  Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof. Notes so owned by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Notes, including the sole right to vote the Notes both before and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, and that the pledgee is not the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

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If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser within the meaning of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09                             Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10                             Temporary Notes.

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11                             Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).  Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company upon written request.  The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12                             Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.  The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment.  The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest.  At least 15 days before

 

45

 

the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient) a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.13                             CUSIP/ISIN Numbers.

 

The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

 

ARTICLE 3
 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01                             Notices to Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

 

(1)                                 the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

(2)                                 the redemption date;

 

(3)                                 the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

(4)                                 the redemption price.

 

Section 3.02                             Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form pursuant to Article 2 hereof, based on a method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the trustee, that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.

 

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

 

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased.  Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

 

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Section 3.03                             Notice of Redemption.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 hereof.

 

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

 

(1)                                 the redemption date;

 

(2)                                 the redemption price (if then determined and otherwise the method of determination);

 

(3)                                 if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(4)                                 the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5)                                 that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(6)                                 any conditions precedent in regard to the redemption;

 

(7)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or a condition to such redemption has not been satisfied, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(8)                                 the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(9)                                 that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP/ISIN numbers, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.04                             Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient) in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.  Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

 

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Section 3.05                             Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

 

One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.  If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date.  If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06                             Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07                             Optional Redemption.

 

(a)                                 At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 108.750% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that:

 

(1)                                 at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

(2)                                 the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

(b)                                 At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

(c)                                  The Company may redeem the Notes when permitted by, and pursuant to the conditions in, Section 4.15(e) hereof.

 

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(d)                                 Except pursuant to Sections 3.07(a), (b) and (c) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to April 15, 2016.

 

(e)                                  On or after April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Percentage
    	
 
    
	
2016
    	
 
    	
106.563
    	
%
    
	
2017
    	
 
    	
104.375
    	
%
    
	
2018 and   thereafter
    	
 
    	
100.000
    	
%
    

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(f)                                   Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

Section 3.08                             Open Market Purchases; Mandatory Redemption.

 

The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.  The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 3.09                             Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

 

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

 

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets.  The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”).  No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer.  Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders or, in the case of Global Notes, by electronic means to DTC,

 

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with a copy to the Trustee.  The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.  The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

 

(1)                                 that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

 

(2)                                 the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

 

(3)                                 that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

(5)                                 that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

(6)                                 that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

 

(7)                                 that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

(8)                                 that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any Notes represented by a Global Note shall be selected by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law) based on the principal amount of Notes surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

 

(9)                                 that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, of if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary for the Asset Sale Offer or

 

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the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase (or, if such Notes are then in global form, it will make such payment thereon through the facilities of DTC), and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee, upon the written request of the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

ARTICLE 4
 COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01                             Payment of Notes.

 

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.  Principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due.

 

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02                             Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

 

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Section 4.03                             Reports.

 

(a)                                 So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee:

 

(1)                                 no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (or 120 days in the case of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014), (a) audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (with footnotes to such financial statements), including the audit report on such financial statements issued by the Company’s certified independent accountants, (b) a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum, (c) a presentation of Adjusted EBITDA of the Company and its subsidiaries consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum and derived from such financial statements and (d) a discussion of material legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is subject consistent with the discussion thereof contained in the “Business” section of the Offering Memorandum;

 

(2)                                 no later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three calendar quarters of each fiscal year (or 60 days in the case of the calendar quarter ending on March 31, 2014), (a) unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (with condensed footnotes to such financial statements consistent with past practice), (b) a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum (but omitting the discussion included in the “Overview” section thereof), (c) a presentation of Adjusted EBITDA of the Company and its subsidiaries consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum and derived from such financial statements and (d) a discussion of material legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is subject consistent with the discussion thereof contained in the “Business” section of the Offering Memorandum; and

 

(3)                                 within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any of the following events, a current report that contains a brief summary of the material terms, facts and/or circumstances involved to the extent not otherwise publicly disclosed: (i) entry by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries into an agreement outside the ordinary course of business that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any material amendment thereto or termination of any such agreement other than in accordance with its terms (excluding employee compensatory or benefit agreements or plans), (ii) completion of a merger of the Company with or into another Person or a material acquisition or disposition of assets by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business, (iii) the institution of, or material development under, bankruptcy proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or similar proceedings under state or federal law with respect to the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, and (iv) the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiary’s incurring Indebtedness outside the ordinary course of business that is material to the Company (other than under a Credit Facility or other arrangement which has been described in the Offering Memorandum or borrowings under a Credit Facility that has otherwise been disclosed previously), or a triggering event that causes the increase or acceleration of any such obligation and, in any such case, the consequences thereof are material to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                 So long as any notes are outstanding, the Company will also, within 10 Business Days after furnishing to the Holders of the Notes and the Trustee the annual and quarterly reports required by

 

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Section 4.03(a)(1) and (2) hereof, hold a conference call to discuss such reports and the results of operations for the relevant reporting period.

 

(c)                                  At any time that any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual reports required by Section 4.03(a) hereof will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition” and “Results of Operations” or other comparable section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

(d)                                 The availability of the foregoing materials within the time periods specified in the first paragraph of this covenant on a freely accessible page on the Company’s website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations.

 

(e)                                  In addition, the Company and the Guarantors will agree that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, broker-dealers and securities analysts, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

(f)                                   Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of the covenants under this Indenture.

 

Section 4.04                             Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                 So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible (and in any event within five Business Days after the Company becomes aware) of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.05                             Taxes.

 

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by

 

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appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.06                             Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.07                             Restricted Payments.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(1)                                 declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(2)                                 purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;

 

(3)                                 make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

 

(4)                                 make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

 

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

(i)                                     no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

 

(ii)                                  the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

 

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(iii)                               such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b)(2) through (9) hereof), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(A)                               50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from April 1, 2014 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

(B)                               100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and 100% of the Fair Market Value of securities or other property other than cash (including Capital Stock of Persons engaged in the Oil and Gas Business that become Restricted Subsidiaries or assets used in an Oil and Gas Business) received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Qualifying Equity Interests of the Company or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock of the Company or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company, in each case that have been converted into or exchanged for Qualifying Equity Interests of the Company (other than Qualifying Equity Interests and convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or debt securities sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

 

(C)                               to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of this Indenture is (a) sold for cash (other than to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company)  or otherwise cancelled, liquidated or repaid for cash, or (b) made in an entity that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor, the initial amount of such Restricted Investment (or, if less, the amount of cash received upon repayment or sale); plus

 

(D)                               to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the date of this Indenture is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (ii) such Fair Market Value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture; plus

 

(E)                                the amount by which Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment of the Notes and Note Guarantees) of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the date of this Indenture of any such Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; plus

 

(F)                                 50% of any dividends received in cash by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor after the date of this Indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

 

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(b)                                 The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

 

(1)                                 the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of an irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or distribution or giving of notice of the redemption if, at the date of declaration or notice, such dividend or distribution or redemption would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)                                 the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will not be considered to be net proceeds of Qualifying Equity Interests for purposes of Section 4.07(a)(iii)(B) hereof and will not be considered to be net cash proceeds from an Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07 hereof;

 

(3)                                 the payment of any dividend or distribution (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

(4)                                 the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(5)                                 as long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any Restricted Subsidiary’s) current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or their heirs, estates or permitted transferees) pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such purchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed the sum of:

 

(a)         $1.0 million in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any fiscal year to be carried over to successive fiscal years); plus

 

(b)         the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture;

 

(6)                                 the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options and any repurchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants, incentives or other rights to acquire Equity Interests;

 

(7)                                 so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

 

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(8)                                 payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants, (ii) stock dividends or splits or (iii) the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person or of Indebtedness into such Capital Stock;

 

(9)                                 repurchases of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Note Guarantee at a purchase price not greater than (a) 101% of the principal amount of such subordinated Indebtedness in the event of a Change of Control or (b) 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated Indebtedness in the event of an Asset Sale, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the extent required by the terms of such Indebtedness, but only if:

 

(a)         in the case of a Change of Control, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 4.15 hereof; or

 

(b)         in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(10)                          payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law in connection with a merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company that complies with Section 5.01 hereof in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5.0 million; and

 

(11)                          so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $12.5 million since the date of this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.

 

(d)                                 For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Restricted Payments described in clauses (1) through (11) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, the Company, in its sole discretion, may order and classify, and subsequently re-order and re-classify, such Restricted Payment in any manner in compliance with this covenant.

 

(e)                                  In computing Consolidated Net Income under this Section 4.07, (1) the Company shall use audited financial statements for the portions of the relevant period for which audited financial statements are available on the date of determination and unaudited financial statements and other current financial data based on the books and records of the Company for the remaining portion of such period and (2) the Company shall be permitted to rely in good faith on the internal financial statements of the Company that are available on the date of determination.

 

(f)                                   For the purpose of this Section 4.07 and the definition of “Permitted Investments,” a contribution, sale or incurrence will be deemed to “substantially concurrent” if the related Restricted Payment or purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value or payment of principal or acquisition of assets or Capital Stock or other Investment occurs within 90 days before or after such contribution, sale or incurrence.

 

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Section 4.08                             Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1)                                 pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the priority that any series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions before dividends or liquidating distributions are paid in respect of common stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall not constitute a restriction on the ability to make dividends or distributions on Capital Stock for purposes of this covenant;

 

(2)                                 make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(3)                                 sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                 The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1)                                 agreements (including those governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities) as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not, as determined in good faith by the Company, materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture;

 

(2)                                 this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

(3)                                 agreements governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the restrictions therein are not, as determined in good faith by the Company, materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees or the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture;

 

(4)                                 applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, license, permit or similar restriction;

 

(5)                                 any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided that (a) the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, restatements, modifications,

 

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renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, as determined in good faith by the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in such instruments in effect on the date of the acquisition, and (b) in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

 

(6)                                 non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or licenses and sublicenses (including licenses of intellectual property), easements or leases, and provisions restricting the sublease or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest (including farm-in agreements or farm-out agreements) relating to leasehold interests in Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)                                 purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3) hereof;

 

(8)                                 any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts dividends, distributions, loans, advances, sales, leases or transfers by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition, and any agreement for the sale or other disposition of an asset that restricts the transfer of such asset pending such sale or other disposition;

 

(9)                                 Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not, as determined in good faith by the Company, materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(10)                          agreements in respect of Liens permitted to be incurred under Section 4.12 hereof, and the security documents relating thereto, that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(11)                          provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements (including limited liability company or limited partnership organizational documents entered into in connection therewith), asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, operations agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other similar agreements (including agreements entered into in connection with a Restricted Investment) entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

 

(12)                          agreements governing Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)                          any agreement or other instrument of a Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that is in existence at the time of such designation (but not created in contemplation of or in connection thereof) and any encumbrance or restriction arising therefrom that do not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

 

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(14)                          restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth requirements or similar requirements, imposed by suppliers, landlords or customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or required by insurance, security or bonding companies.

 

Section 4.09                             Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue preferred stock, if (a) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or such preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.0 and (b) the Asset Coverage Ratio as of the last day of the fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been not more than 0.75 to 1.0, determined in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or the preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

(b)                                 The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

 

(1)                                 the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (a) $140.0 million and (b) 20.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence;

 

(2)                                 the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

 

(3)                                 the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture;

 

(4)                                 the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (whether represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, or otherwise), incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation, development, repair or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (together with improvements, additions, accessions and contractual rights related primarily thereto) and related financing costs, and Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (a) $10.0 million

 

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and (b) 1.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence;

 

(5)                                 the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5) or (16) of this Section 4.09(b);

 

(6)                                 the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

 

(A)                               if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

 

(B)                               (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (2) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

 

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

 

(7)                                 the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that:

 

(A)                               any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

 

(B)                               any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

 

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

(8)                                 the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations not incurred for speculative purposes;

 

(9)                                 the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the guaranteed Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee must be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

 

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(10)                          the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of unemployment self-insurance, health, disability, public liability or other benefits obligations or bid, plugging or abandonment, appeal, reimbursement, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations and workers’ compensation claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                          the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

 

(12)                          any obligation of a Person in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or natural gas property;

 

(13)                          the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business, or any final settlement thereof in cash if required pursuant to the terms thereof;

 

(14)                          the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(15)                          the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, earn outs, or similar obligations, in each case incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary in a transaction permitted by this Indenture, provided that such obligation is not reflected as a liability on the face of the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(14)                       the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness or the issuance by the Company of any Disqualified Stock in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock issued pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed the greater of (a) $10.0 million and (b) 1.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence.

 

The Company will not incur, and will not permit any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right

 

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of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a junior priority basis.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (16) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to divide, classify, redivide or reclassify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later divide, classify, redivide or reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09.  Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement will initially be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt.  The accrual of interest or preferred stock dividends, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, fluctuations in the termination value of Hedging Obligations and the payment of dividends or distributions on preferred stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of preferred stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof (excluding any dividends and distributions to the extent payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.  For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be utilized, calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

 

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(1)                                 the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

 

(2)                                 the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

(3)                                 in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

(A)                               the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

 

(B)                               the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person;

 

(4)                                 in the case of any Capital Lease Obligation, the amount determined in accordance with the definition thereof;

 

(5)                                 in the case of any preferred stock other than Disqualified Stock, the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed redemption price or repurchase price; and

 

(6)                                 in the case of any Disqualified Stock, the amount deemed outstanding pursuant to the definition of such term.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.  The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

Section 4.10                             Asset Sales.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)                                 the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

(2)                                 at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received in respect of such Asset Sale by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents.  For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(A)                               any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation, indemnity or other agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from or indemnifies against further liability or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee;

 

(B)                               any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 60 days of the Asset Sale converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

 

(C)                               with respect to any Asset Sale of Oil and Gas Properties by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary retains an interest in such property, the costs and expenses of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such properties and activities related thereto which the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof) agrees to pay; and

 

(D)                               any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (2) or (4) of the next paragraph of this Section 4.10.

 

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(b)                                 Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries may apply an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds:

 

(1)                                 to repay, prepay, redeem or purchase Senior Debt;

 

(2)                                 to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, one or more other Persons primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(3)                                 to make capital expenditures in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Oil and Gas Business; or

 

(4)                                 to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in an Oil and Gas Business;

 

provided that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be deemed to have complied with this paragraph if and to the extent that, within 365 days after the Asset Sale that generated the Net Proceeds, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has entered into and not abandoned or rejected a binding agreement to consummate any such investment described in this paragraph with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days after the end of such 365-day period; provided further that if such commitment is later canceled or terminated before such Net Proceeds are applied or otherwise not applied within such 180 day period, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not, within the applicable time period, applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(b) hereof will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”  When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, within five days thereof, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with Section 3.09 hereof to purchase, prepay or redeem on a pro rata basis the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Global Notes, based on a method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate), based on the amounts tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral

 

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multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

(d)                                 The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

Section 4.11                             Transactions with Affiliates.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration to or from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $1.0 million, unless:

 

(1)                                 the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; and

 

(2)                                 the Company delivers to the Trustee:

 

(A)                               with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million to or from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with Section 4.11(a)(1) hereof; and

 

(B)                               with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(b)                                 The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

 

(1)                                 any employment, consulting, severance, termination or similar agreement or arrangement, stock option or stock ownership plan, employee benefit plan, officer or director compensation or indemnification agreement, restricted stock agreement, severance agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments, awards, grants or issuances of securities pursuant thereto;

 

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(2)                                 transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance of Guarantees for the benefit of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)                                 transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

 

(4)                                 payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursements of expenses (pursuant to indemnity arrangements or otherwise) of officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                 any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or receipt of capital contributions from, Affiliates of the Company;

 

(6)                                 Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof and Permitted Investments;

 

(7)                                 payments to an Affiliate in respect of the Notes or any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary on the same basis as concurrent payments made or offered to be made in respect thereof to non-Affiliates;

 

(8)                                 in the case of contracts for exploring for, drilling, developing, producing, processing, gathering, transporting, marketing or storing Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, or other operational contracts, that are entered into in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties, or if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar contract with a third party, then on the terms no less favorable than those available from third parties on an arm’s length basis, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company;

 

(9)                                 transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any other Person, a director of which is also on the Board of Directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and such common director is the sole cause for such other Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as the case may be, on any transaction with such other Person;

 

(10)                          advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                          transactions effected in accordance with the terms of the agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions,” as such agreements are in effect on the date of this Indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less advantageous to the Company, taken as a whole, than the agreement so amended or replaced;

 

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(12)                          loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(13)                          any transaction in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an accounting, appraisal, advisory or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of clause (1) of the preceding paragraph; and

 

(14)                          transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or lessors or lessees of property, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture which are, in the aggregate (taking into account all the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties, or if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar contract with a third party, then on the terms no less favorable than those available from third parties on an arm’s length basis, in each case as determined in good faith by the Company.

 

Section 4.12                             Liens.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due to the Holders under this Indenture and the Notes or Note Guarantees, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such property or assets on an equal and ratable basis with the other Indebtedness so secured until such time as such other Indebtedness is no longer so secured by a Lien.

 

Any Lien securing the Notes or Note Guarantees created pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the unconditional release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

 

Section 4.13                             Business Activities.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than the Oil and Gas Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.14                             Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

 

(1)                                 its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

 

(2)                                 the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such

 

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right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.15                             Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

 

(a)                                 Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

 

(1)                                 that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

 

(2)                                 the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

(3)                                 that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5)                                 that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(6)                                 that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

 

(7)                                 that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.15, the Company will comply

 

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with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

 

(b)                                 On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1)                                 accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2)                                 deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(3)                                 deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

 

The Paying Agent will promptly send (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then Global Notes, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and send (or cause to be transferred by book entry, in the case of Global Notes) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any.  The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption for all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

 

(e)                                  In the event that Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company (or any third party making such Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described in paragraph (c) above) purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interests, if any, on the Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

Section 4.16                             Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Guarantor may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:

 

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(a)                                 the Company or that Guarantor, as applicable, could have (1) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (2) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof;

 

(b)                                 the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback transaction; and

 

(c)                                  the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

 

Section 4.17                             Payments for Consent.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Section 4.18                             Additional Note Guarantees.

 

The Company will cause each Restricted Subsidiary that (a) Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under a Credit Facility or (b) is a Domestic Subsidiary that otherwise becomes an obligor with respect to Indebtedness in excess of the De Minimis Amount, to become a Guarantor by executing and delivering a supplemental indenture substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F to the Trustee within 30 days after the date on which it incurred such Indebtedness.

 

Section 4.19                             Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default.  If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or represent a Permitted Investment under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company.  That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if such redesignation would not cause a Default.

 

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof; provided that such covenant need not be complied with if the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less.  If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this

 

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Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant.  The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

Section 4.20                             Covenant Suspension.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or of the Notes to the contrary, if at any time following the date of this Indenture (a) the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s and BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency), and (b) no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture shall have occurred and is continuing, Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.16(a)(1), 4.16(c), and 4.19 and 5.01(a)(4) of this Indenture will be suspended and no Default or Event of Default shall result from any failure to comply with any of the provisions of such Sections.

 

During any period that the foregoing Sections have been suspended, the Board of Directors of the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.19 hereof or clause (2) of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on any subsequent date, the Notes cease to maintain ratings of at least Baa3 or BBB- from Moody’s and S&P, respectively, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline.  Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 hereof will be made as if Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended.

 

ARTICLE 5
 SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01                             Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

(1)                                 either:

 

(A)                               the Company is the surviving corporation; or

 

(B)                               the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United

 

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States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws;

 

(2)                                 the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(3)                                 immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;

 

(4)                                 the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (a) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof, or (b) have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio greater than the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company for such four-quarter period; and

 

(5)                                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture;

 

provided that, if the surviving Person is not a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Notes shall be added to this Indenture by a supplemental indenture substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of this covenant, the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties or assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company.

 

(c)                                  The surviving entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and the predecessor Company shall be discharged and released from all obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; provided, however, that the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties or assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, this covenant.

 

(d)                                 This Section 5.01 will not apply to any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.  Sections 5.01(a)(3), (4) and (5) hereof will not apply to (1) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one of its Restricted Subsidiaries for any purpose or (2) with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating or re-organizing the Company in another jurisdiction.

 

(e)                                  Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law.  Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of a Person.

 

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ARTICLE 6
 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01                             Events of Default.

 

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

(a)                                 default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, if any, on the Notes;

 

(b)                                 default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

 

(c)                                  failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 hereof;

 

(d)                                 failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days (180 days, in the case of a failure to comply with Section 4.03 hereof) after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

 

(e)                                  default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

 

(1)                                 is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or premium on, or interest if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

 

(2)                                 results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,

 

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more;

 

(f)                                   failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $20.0 million, (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage) which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days;

 

(g)                                  the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

(1)                                 commences a voluntary case,

 

(2)                                 consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

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(3)                                 consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(4)                                 makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

(5)                                 generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

(h)                                 a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(1)                                 is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(2)                                 appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(3)                                 orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

(i)                                     except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

 

Section 6.02                             Acceleration.

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

 

Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders of all the Notes, rescind an acceleration and its consequences hereunder, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

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Section 6.03                             Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04                             Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05                             Control by Majority.

 

Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

Section 6.06                             Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

(1)                                 such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

(2)                                 Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3)                                 such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)                                 the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

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(5)                                 during such 60-day period, Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

 

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

 

Section 6.07                             Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08                             Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09                             Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.  To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10                             Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

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First:                                    to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second:                      to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

Third:                                to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11                             Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7
 TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01                             Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                 Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)                                 the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                 in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

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(1)                                 this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)                                 the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

(d)                                 Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                  No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.  The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02     Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)                                  Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(g)                                  The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such Event of Default is sent to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such notice references the Notes.

 

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Section 7.03                             Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.  The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.04                             Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05                             Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes (or send electronically if DTC is the recipient) a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 7.06                             Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a)                                 Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes (or send electronically if DTC is the recipient) a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b)(2).  The Trustee will also transmit by mail (or send electronically if DTC is the recipient) all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

 

(b)                                 A copy of each report at the time of its being sent to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d).  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

 

Section 7.07                             Compensation and Indemnity.

 

(a)                                 The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder.  The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services.  Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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(b)                                 The Company and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been the result of the Trustee’s negligence or bad faith.  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder.  The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(c)                                  The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(d)                                 To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, particular Notes.  Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(e)                                  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

Section 7.08     Replacement of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

(b)                                 The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)                                 a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                 the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

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(c)                                  If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

(d)                                 If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)                                  If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)                                   A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders (or send such notice electronically if DTC is the recipient).  The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09                             Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10                             Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

 

Section 7.11                             Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8
 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01                             Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may at any time, at the option of the Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02                             Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”).  For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(1)                                 the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

 

(2)                                 the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 2.11 and 4.02 hereof;

 

(3)                                 the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4)                                 this Article 8.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03                             Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.20 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).  For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with

 

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respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby.  In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01 (c), (d), (e), (f) and (i) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

Section 8.04                             Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

 

(1)                                 the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

(2)                                 in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

 

(A)                               the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

(B)                               since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3)                                 in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4)                                 no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

 

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(5)                                 such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Company or any of the Guarantors is bound;

 

(6)                                 the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

 

(7)                                 the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

Section 8.05                             Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06                             Repayment to Company.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

 

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(national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07                             Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9
 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01                             Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:

 

(1)                                 to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                 to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(3)                                 to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

 

(4)                                 to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

 

(5)                                 to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(6)                                 to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate to that effect;

 

(7)                                 to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes;

 

(8)                                 to secure the Notes or the Note Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.12 hereof or otherwise;

 

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(9)                                 to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor trustee;

 

(10)                          to provide for the conversion, transfer or re-domestication of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, or to add a corporate co-issuer of the Notes;

 

(11)                          to add to the covenants of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon the Company or to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as set forth therein; provided that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes to waive such an Event of Default;

 

(12)                          to add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of the Notes; or

 

(13)                          to provide for the issuance of additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date of this Indenture.

 

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.02                             With Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

 

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the

 

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Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

 

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby (or send electronically if DTC is the recipient) a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(1)                                 reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)                                 reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);

 

(3)                                 reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

 

(4)                                 waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(5)                                 make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(6)                                 make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on the Notes;

 

(7)                                 waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

 

(8)                                 release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

 

(9)                                 make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

 

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Section 9.03                             Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.04                             Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.05                             Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 10.
 NOTE GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01.                  Guarantee.

 

(a)                                 Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

(1)                                 the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

(2)                                 in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in

 

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accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

(b)                                 The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

(d)                                 Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

 

Section 10.02.                  Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

 

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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Section 10.03.                  Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

 

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.18 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.18 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

 

Section 10.04.                  Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

 

(1)                                 immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2)                                 either:

 

(a)         subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) becomes a Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F; or

 

(b)         such transaction at the date thereof does not violate Section 4.10 hereof.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

91

 

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

 

Section 10.05.                  Releases.

 

The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will automatically be released:

 

(a)                                 in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the sale or other disposition;

 

(b)                                 upon any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, if the sale or other disposition at the date thereof does not violate Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(c)                                  if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

 

(d)                                 upon legal defeasance, covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in Articles 8 and 11 hereof;

 

(e)                                  upon the liquidation or dissolution of that Guarantor, provided no Default or Event of Default occurs as a result thereof or has occurred or is continuing;

 

(f)                                   at such time as such Guarantor (1) does not Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under a Credit Facility (except as a result of payment under any such other Guarantee) and (b) is not a Domestic Subsidiary that is an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness (other than under a Credit Facility) in excess of the De Minimis Amount; or

 

(g)                                  upon such Guarantor consolidating with, merging into or transferring all of its properties or assets to the Company or another Guarantor, and as a result of, or in connection with, such transaction such Guarantor dissolves or otherwise ceases to exist;

 

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

ARTICLE 11
 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01                      Satisfaction and Discharge.

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

92

 

(1)                                 either:

 

(a)         all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)         all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of a notice of redemption being sent or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

(2)                                 in respect of Section 11.01(1)(b), no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and in each case the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

 

(3)                                 the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(4)                                 the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.02                      Application of Trust Money.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

93

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 12
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01                      Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

 

Section 12.02                      Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.
 509 Pecan St., Suite 200
 Fort Worth, Texas 76102
 Facsimile No.:  (817) 921-5112
 Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

With a copy to:
 Thompson & Knight LLP
 One Arts Plaza

1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201
 Facsimile No.:  (214) 969-1393
 Attention:  Joe Dannenmaier, Esq.

 

If to the Trustee:
 Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. St. Paul Place, Suite 1750
 Dallas, Texas 75201
 Facsimile No.:  (214) 756-7401
 Attention:  Corporate Trust, Municipal and Escrow Services

 

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

94

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will 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 acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to Holders of Notes in certificated form will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Notices and communications to Holders of Notes in global form will be sent electronically pursuant to the procedures of the Depositary. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail or electronically send, as applicable, a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03                      Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).

 

Section 12.04                      Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)                                 an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

(2)                                 an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

 

Section 12.05                      Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include:

 

(1)                                 a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2)                                 a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

95

 

(3)                                 a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(4)                                 a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Section 12.06                      Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 12.07                      No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

Section 12.08                      Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 12.09                      No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.10                      Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

 

Section 12.11                      Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.12                      Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.

 

96

 

Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 12.13       Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

97

 

SIGNATURES

 

	
Dated as of   April 4, 2014
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
LONESTAR RESOURCES AMERICA INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
LONESTAR RESOURCES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
LONESTAR OPERATING, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS 2, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS 3, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    

 

 

	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS 4, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS 5, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EAGLEFORD GAS 6, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
AMADEUS PETROLEUM INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ALBANY SERVICES, LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
T-N-T ENGINEERING, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    

 

 

	
 
    	
POPLAR ENERGY LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Frank D. Bracken,   III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:  Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL   ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ John. C. Stohlmann
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: John. C.   Stohlmann
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Vice   President
    

 

 

[Face of Note]

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
CUSIP/CINS                   
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.750% Senior   Notes due 2019
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
No.       
    	
$                   
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
LONESTAR   RESOURCES AMERICA INC.
    
	
 
    
	
promises to pay to                      or registered assigns,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
the principal sum of                                                                                                                                                   DOLLARS on April 15, 2019.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Interest Payment Dates:   April 15 and October 15
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Record Dates:   April 1 and October 1
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
LONESTAR RESOURCES AMERICA   INC.
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    
	
This is one of the   Notes referred to
    	
 
    
	
in the within-mentioned   Indenture:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
WELLS FARGO BANK,   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    	
 
    
	
 as Trustee
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Authorized   Signatory
    	
 
    
									

 

A1-1

 

[Back of Note]

8.750% Senior Notes due 2019

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Unit Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

(1)           INTEREST.  Lonestar Resources America Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.750% per annum from April 15, 2014  until maturity.  The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”).  Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2014.   The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

(2)           METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent (which, in the case of Holders of Definitive Notes, shall specify a bank account in the United States).  Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

(3)           PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

A1-2

 

(4)           INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.  To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.  The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

(5)           OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

 

(a)           At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 108.750% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that:

 

(i)            at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

(ii)           the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

(b)           At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

(c)   Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 5 and as provided in clause (d) below, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to April 15, 2016.

 

(d)   The Company may redeem all (but not a portion of) the Notes when permitted by, and pursuant to the conditions in, Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

 

(e)           On or after April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Percentage
    	
 
    
	
2016
    	
 
    	
106.653
    	
%
    

 

A1-3

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Percentage
    	
 
    
	
2017
    	
 
    	
104.375
    	
%
    
	
2018 and   thereafter
    	
 
    	
100.000
    	
%
    

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(6)           MANDATORY REDEMPTION.  The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

(7)           REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

 

(a)   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”).  Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder (or send such notice electronically if DTC is the recipient) setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

 

(b)   If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, the Company may be required to make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase, prepay or redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocated to the purchase of Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any Notes represented by a Global Note will be selected by such method as DTC may require).  Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.  Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

 

(8)           NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the

 

A1-4

 

Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 thereof.  Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

 

(9)           DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.  Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(10)         PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

 

(11)         AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class.  Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented for certain purposes set forth in the Indenture.

 

(12)         DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.  The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders of Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its respective consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase).  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

A1-5

 

(13)         TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

(14)         NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

(15)         AUTHENTICATION.  This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

(16)         ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

(17)         CUSIP NUMBERS.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(18)         GOVERNING LAW.  THIS NOTE AND THE INDENTURE (INCLUDING THE NOTE GUARANTEES) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.  Requests may be made to:

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.

509 Pecan St., Suite 200

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

A1-6

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

	
 
    
	
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
(Print or type   assignee’s name, address and zip code)
    
			

 

	
and   irrevocably appoint
    	
 
    
	
to   transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute   another to act for him.
    

 

	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Sign exactly as   your name appears on the face of this Note)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature Guarantee*:
    	
 
    	
 
    
						

 

*              Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A1-7

 

Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

	
oSection 4.10
    	
 
    	
oSection 4.15
    

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

	
$
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Sign exactly as   your name appears on the face of this Note)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Tax Identification No.:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature Guarantee*:
    	
 
    	
 
    
							

 

*              Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A1-8

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

	
Date of Exchange
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   decrease in
   Principal Amount
   of
   this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   increase in
   Principal Amount
   of
   this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Principal Amount
   of this Global Note
   following such
   decrease
   (or increase)
    	
 
    	
Signature of
   authorized officer
   of Trustee or
   Custodian
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

*                 This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A1-9

 

[Face of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
CUSIP/CINS               
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.750% Senior Notes due 2019
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
No.      
    	
 
    	
$                    
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
LONESTAR RESOURCES AMERICA INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
promises to pay to                                          or registered assigns,
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
the principal   sum of                                                                                                                                          DOLLARS on April 15, 2019.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

	
 
    	
LONESTAR RESOURCES   AMERICA INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
This is one of the   Notes referred to
    	
 
    
	
in the within-mentioned   Indenture:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
WELLS FARGO BANK,   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    
	
 as Trustee
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Authorized   Signatory
    	
 
    
				

 

A2-1

 

[Back of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]
 8.750% Senior Notes due 2019

 

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR A REGULATION S PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.

 

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR SECURITIES ACT, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS A NON-U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, OR (C) IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH

 

A2-2

 

SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE HOLDING PERIOD WITH RESPECT TO RESTRICTED SECURITIES SET FORTH IN RULE 144 PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PURCHASE IS MADE, (D) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION D THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S, OR REGISTRAR’S, AS APPLICABLE, RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C), (D) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE OR REGISTRAR. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE HOLDING PERIOD WITH RESPECT TO RESTRICTED SECURITIES SET FORTH IN RULE 144.

 

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

(1)           INTEREST.  Lonestar Resources America Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.750% per annum from April 15, 2014 until maturity.  The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”).  Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2014.  The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon;

 

A2-3

 

until so exchanged in full, this Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.

 

(2)           METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent (which, in the case of Holders of Definitive Notes, shall specify a bank account in the United States).  Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

(3)           PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(4)           INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.  To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.  The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

(5)           OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

 

(a)           At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 108.750% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings by the Company; provided that:

 

(i)            at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

(ii)           the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

A2-4

 

(b)           At any time prior to April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

(c)   Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 5 and as provided in clause (d) below, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to April 15, 2016.

 

(d)   The Company may redeem all (but not a portion of) the Notes when permitted by, and pursuant to the conditions in, Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

 

(e)           On or after April 15, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Percentage
    	
 
    
	
2016
    	
 
    	
106.653
    	
%
    
	
2017
    	
 
    	
104.375
    	
%
    
	
2018 and   thereafter
    	
 
    	
100.000
    	
%
    

 

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(6)           MANDATORY REDEMPTION.  The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

(7)           REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.

 

(a)   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”).  Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder (or send such notice electronically if DTC is the recipient) setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

 

(b)   If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, the Company may be required to make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or

 

A2-5

 

redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase, prepay or redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocated to the purchase of Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any Notes represented by a Global Note will be selected by such method as DTC may require).  Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.  Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

 

(8)           NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 thereof.  Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

 

(9)           DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.  Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

This Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the termination of the 40-day distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article 2 of the Indenture.  Upon exchange of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

 

(10)         PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.  Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

 

(11)         AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent

 

A2-6

 

of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class.  Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented for certain purposes set forth in the Indenture.

 

(12)         DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.  The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders of Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its respective consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase).  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

(13)         TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

(14)         NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

(15)         AUTHENTICATION.  This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

(16)         ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

A2-7

 

(17)         CUSIP NUMBERS.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(18)         GOVERNING LAW.  THIS NOTE AND THE INDENTURE (INCLUDING THE NOTE GUARANTEES) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.  Requests may be made to:

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.

509 Pecan St., Suite 200

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

A2-8

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

	
(I) or (we)   assign and transfer this Note to:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Insert assignee’s   legal name)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip   code)
    
				

 

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                             to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(Sign exactly as your   name appears on the face of this Note)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature Guarantee*:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
							

 

*                              Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A2-9

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

o Section 4.10                                   o Section 4.15

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$                                

 

	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
(Sign   exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Tax Identification No.:                                                                
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature Guarantee*:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
							

 

*              Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A2-10

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for an interest in another Global Note, or exchanges of a part of another other Restricted Global Note for an interest in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note, have been made:

 

	
Date of Exchange
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   decrease in
   Principal Amount
   of
   this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   increase in
   Principal Amount
   of
   this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Principal Amount
   of this Global Note
   following such
   decrease
   (or increase)
    	
 
    	
Signature of
   authorized officer
   of Trustee or
   Custodian
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

A2-11

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.

509 Pecan St., Suite 200

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re:  8.750% Senior Notes due 2019

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”), among Lonestar Resources America Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

                                                  , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $            in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                             (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto.  In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

1.  o   Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A.  The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

2.  o   Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the Regulation S Permanent Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S.  The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser).

 

B-1

 

Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3.  o   Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the AI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S.  The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)           o  such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(b)           o  such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

 

or

 

(c)           o  such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(d)           o  such Transfer is being effected to an Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the AI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

4.  o   Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

(a)  o  Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of

 

B-2

 

the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(b)  o  Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(c)  o  Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption.  (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Insert   Name of Transferor]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

B-3

 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.             The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)   o  a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)          o  144A Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

(ii)         o  Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

(iii)        o  AI Global Note (CUSIP          ); or

 

(b)  o  a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.             After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a)  o  a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)          o  144A Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

(ii)         o  Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

(iii)        o  AI Global Note (CUSIP          ); or

 

(iv)        o  Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP          ); or

 

(b)  o  a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)  o  an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4

 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.

509 Pecan St., Suite 200

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re:  8.750% Senior Notes due 2019

 

(CUSIP [           ])

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”), among Lonestar Resources America Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

                                                  , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”).  In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

1.             Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

 

(a)  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(b)  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(c)  o Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.  In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in

 

C-1

 

accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(d)  o Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

2.             Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

 

(a)  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer.  Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b)  o  Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.  In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] o 144A Global Note, o Regulation S Global Note, o AI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.  Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Insert Name of   Transferor]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

C-2

 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

 

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”) among Lonestar Resources America Inc., (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

	
 
    	
[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

D-1

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING ACCREDITED INVESTOR

 

Lonestar Resources America Inc.

509 Pecan St., Suite 200

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Attention:  Douglas W. Banister

 

[Registrar address block]

 

Re:  8.750% Senior Notes due 2019

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2014 (the “Indenture”), among Lonestar Resources America Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

In connection with our proposed purchase of $             aggregate principal amount of:

 

(a)  o a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

 

(b)  o a Definitive Note,

 

we confirm that:

 

1.             We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

2.             We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

3.             We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies

 

E-1

 

with the foregoing restrictions.  We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4.             We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

5.             We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Insert   Name of Accredited Investor]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

E-2

 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                 , among                    (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Lonestar Resources America Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of April 4, 2014 providing for the issuance of 8.750% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.             CAPITALIZED TERMS.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

2.             AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE.  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

 

4.             NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.  The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

5.             NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN.  THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

6.             COUNTERPARTS.  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

7.             EFFECT OF HEADINGS.  The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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8.             THE TRUSTEE.  The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

Dated:                 ,

 

	
 
    	
[GUARANTEEING   SUBSIDIARY]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[COMPANY]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[TRUSTEE],
    
	
 
    	
as   Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signatory
    

 

F-3Exhibit 10.1

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, dated and effective as of [insert date] (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Lonestar Resources US Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [insert name of indemnitee] (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve the Company, and Indemnitee’s service to the Company substantially benefits the Company;

 

WHEREAS, individuals are reluctant to serve as directors or officers of corporations or in certain other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnifications against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of such service;

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection currently provided by applicable law, the Company’s governing documents and any insurance as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as a director or officer without additional protection;

 

WHEREAS, Article 10 of the Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes, but does not require, the Company to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, its directors, officers, employees and agents through various means including agreements with such individuals; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce Indemnitee to provide or continue to provide services to the Company, the Company deems it reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, Indemnitee as permitted by applicable law.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound and in consideration of the mutual provisions set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                    Certain Definitions.

 

(a)                                As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

“Corporate Status” describes the status of an individual who is or was a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise.

 

“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

“Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which

 

 

Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

“Expenses” include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and costs of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding.  Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or their equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 12(c), Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

“Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, audit, inquiry, administrative hearing or proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, a potential party, a non-party witness or otherwise by reason of (i) the fact that Indemnitee is or was (whether prior to, on or after the date hereof) a director or officer of the Company, (ii) any action taken by Indemnitee or any action or inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting (whether prior to, on or after the date hereof) as a director or officer of the Company, or (iii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company (whether prior to, on or after the date hereof) as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

(c)                                 Any reference in this Agreement to a “Section” refers to the corresponding section of this Agreement, unless the context indicates otherwise.  All words used in this

 

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Agreement are to be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.  The words “including,” “includes,” or “include” are to be read as listing non-exclusive examples of the matters referred to, whether or not words such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” are used in each instance.  Any reference to a statute is deemed also to refer to any amendments or successor legislation as in effect at the relevant time.

 

2.                                    Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor.  Pursuant to this Section 2, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

3.                                    Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor.  Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.  No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses as the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

4.                                    Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful.  To the extent that Indemnitee is a party to or a participant in and is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.  For purposes of this section, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

5.                                    Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness.  To the extent that Indemnitee is or was, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

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6.                                    Additional Indemnification.

 

(a)                              Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 2, 3 or 4, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with the Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.

 

(b)                              For purposes of Section 6(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

 

(i)                                     the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and

 

(ii)                                  the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

7.                                    Exclusions.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

 

(a)                              for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any statute, insurance policy, agreement, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

 

(b)                              initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Company’s board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Company provides the indemnification or advancement, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, or (iii) otherwise authorized in Section 12(c) or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or

 

(c)                               if prohibited by applicable law.

 

8.                                    Advances of Expenses.  The Company shall advance the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than sixty (60) days, after the receipt by the Company of a written statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditure made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice).  Advances shall be unsecured and interest free and made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances.  Indemnitee hereby

 

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undertakes to repay to the Company any advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.  This Section 8 shall not apply to the extent advancement is prohibited by law and shall not apply to any Proceeding for which indemnity is not permitted under this Agreement.

 

9.                                    Procedures for Notification and Defense of Claim.

 

(a)                              Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of notice thereof.  The written notification to the Company shall include, in reasonable detail, a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding.  The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights, except to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

 

(b)                              If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of the Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all commercially-reasonable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c)                               In the event the Company may be obligated to make any indemnity in connection with a Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding.  Notwithstanding the Company’s assumption of the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel to the extent (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) counsel for the Company or Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense such that Indemnitee needs to be separately represented, (iii) the fees and expenses are non-duplicative and reasonably incurred in connection with Indemnitee’s role in the Proceeding despite the Company’s assumption of the defense, (iv) the Company is not financially or legally able to perform its indemnification obligations or (v) the Company shall not have retained, or shall not continue to retain, such counsel to defend such Proceeding.  The Company shall have the right to conduct such defense as it sees fit in its sole discretion.  Regardless of any provision in this Agreement, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s personal expense.  The Company shall not be entitled, without the consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

 

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(d)                              Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in connection with the Proceeding as may be reasonably appropriate.

 

(e)                               The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee for any settlement of any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(f)                                The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

10.                             Procedures upon Application for Indemnification.

 

(a)                              To obtain indemnification hereunder, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and as is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Proceeding.  The Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the board of directors that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.  Any delay in providing the request will not relieve the Company from its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such failure is prejudicial.

 

(b)                              Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a), a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case (i) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors, (ii) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors, or (iii) if so directed by the Company’s board of directors, by the stockholders of the Company.  If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.  Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination.  Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

11.                             Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

 

(a)                              In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by such person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

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(b)                              The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

(c)                               For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith to the extent Indemnitee relied in good faith on (i) the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, (ii) information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, (iii) the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or its board of directors or counsel selected by any committee of the board of directors or (iv) information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant, an appraiser, investment banker or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or its board of directors or any committee of the board of directors.  The provisions of this Section 11(c) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(d)                              Neither the knowledge, actions nor failure to act of any other director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

12.                             Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(a)                              Subject to Section 12(d), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after the receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification pursuant to this Agreement is not made (A) within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or (B) with respect to indemnification pursuant to Sections 4, 5 or 12(c) of this Agreement, within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) the Company or any other person or entity takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses.  Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 4 of this Agreement.  The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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(b)                              In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 12 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.  In any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 12, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

(c)                               To the extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to the extent Indemnitee is successful in such action, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than sixty (60) days, after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.

 

(d)                              Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

13.                             Contribution.  To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amounts incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the events and transactions giving rise to such Proceeding; and (ii) the relative fault of Indemnitee and the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with such events and transactions.

 

14.                             Non-exclusivity.  The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise.  To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change, subject to the restrictions expressly set forth herein or therein.  Except as expressly set forth herein, no right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  Except as expressly set forth herein, the assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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15.                             Insurance.  To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, trustees, general partners, managing members, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Company or any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies to the same extent as the most favorably-insured persons under such policy or policies in a comparable position.

 

16.                             Subrogation.  In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

17.                               Services to the Company.  Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed from such position.  Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position.  This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.  Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that any employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in any executed, written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), any existing formal severance policies adopted by the Company’s board of directors or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the DGCL.  No such document shall be subject to any oral modification thereof.

 

18.                               Duration.  This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other Enterprise, as applicable; or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement relating thereto.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and the Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect, and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

19.                               Indemnitee’s Successors.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

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20.                               Severability.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law.  The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order or other applicable law, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

21.                               Enforcement.  The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

 

22.                               Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable law (and shall not be deemed to limit, diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder).

 

23.                               Modification and Waiver.  No supplement, modification or amendment to this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto.  No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement shall adversely affect any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

24.                               Notices.  All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:

 

(i)                                     if to Indemnitee, to Indemnitee’s address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as shown on the signature page of this Agreement or in the Company’s records, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof; or

 

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(ii)                                  if to the Company, to:

 

Lonestar Resources US Inc.
 Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
 600 Bailey Avenue, Suite 200

Fort Worth, TX 76107

 

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

 

[·]

 

Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via an internationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one (1) business day after deposit with the courier), or (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five (5) days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail (or, if mailed from outside the United States, another country’s official mail), addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via facsimile, upon confirmation of facsimile transfer or, if sent via electronic mail, upon confirmation of delivery when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipient’s next business day.

 

25.                               Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction.  This Agreement and the legal relations between the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.  The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

26.                               Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.  This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

27.                               Captions.  The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction hereof.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.

 

 

	
LONESTAR   RESOURCES US INC.
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE:

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

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