Document:

Exhibit 4.1

 

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 31, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between ProPetro Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and Pioneer Natural Resources Pumping Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pioneer”). The Corporation and Pioneer are referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

 

WHEREAS, in order to set forth certain understandings between the Parties, including with respect to certain governance matters, the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties are party to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement with Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, dated November 12, 2018, which contemplates the delivery of this Agreement by the Parties.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual consents and obligations hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1                                              Definitions; Interpretation.

 

(a)                                 Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings; provided, that Pioneer shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Corporation following the Effective Date.

 

“Beneficially Own” means that a specified Person has or shares the right, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to vote shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

“Business Day” means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banking institutions in the State of Texas are not required to be open.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation and any stock into which such Stock may hereafter be changed or for which such Common Stock may be exchanged, and shall also include any Common Stock of the Corporation of any class hereafter authorized.

 

 

“Designation Rights Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement.

 

“Exchange Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

“Independent Pioneer Designee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) of this Agreement.

 

“Non-Independent Pioneer Designee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement.

 

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

“Pioneer Designees” means the Independent Pioneer Designee and the Non-Independent Pioneer Designee.

 

“Pioneer Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) of this Agreement.

 

“Stock” means (i) the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) any additional shares of Common Stock that may be issued in the future and (iii) any shares of capital stock of the Corporation into which such shares may be converted or for which such shares may be exchanged.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which such Person (either above or through or together with any other Subsidiary) owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such corporation or other legal entity.

 

(b)                                 Rules of Construction.  For all purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

 

(i)                                     The headings and captions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, limit or otherwise affect any of the terms hereof.

 

(ii)                                  If a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb).  Terms defined in the singular have the corresponding meanings in the plural, and vice versa.  Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice versa.  The words “include,” “includes” or “including” do not limit the preceding terms and shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” or “but not limited to.”  The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this

 

2

 

Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or article in which such words appear.  The term “or” is not exclusive.

 

(iii)                               The terms “day” and “days” mean and refer to calendar day(s).  The terms “year” and “years” mean and refer to calendar year(s).  If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action shall be deferred until the next Business Day.

 

(iv)                              The Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions in this Agreement.

 

Section 2                                              Board Designation Rights.

 

(a)                                 Pioneer Designees.  Regardless of any advance notice provisions in the Corporation’s organizational documents:

 

(i)                                     From and after the Effective Date until the first date on which Pioneer Beneficially Owns less than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock (the “Designation Rights Termination Date”), Pioneer shall have the right to designate an individual to the Board (the “Non-Independent Pioneer Designee”); and

 

(ii)                                  From and after the Effective Date, Pioneer shall have the right to designate an individual meeting the independence requirements of the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Independent Pioneer Designee”); provided, however, that the right contained in this Section 2(a)(ii) may only be exercised once and shall expire after the date of the Corporation’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, Pioneer shall not be entitled to designate or nominate any Person to stand for election to the Board pursuant to this Agreement from and after the Designation Rights Termination Date.

 

(b)                                 Corporation Support.  Upon Pioneer providing notice in writing to the Corporation as to the identity of the Pioneer Designees and reasonable documentation as to the qualification of the Independent Pioneer Designee, the Corporation shall take all reasonable necessary action within its power to expand the Board and elect each Pioneer Designee to the Board as of the Effective Date or as soon as practicable thereafter.  Thereafter, with respect to each Non-Independent Pioneer Designee, and solely until the completion of the Corporation’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, with respect to the Independent Pioneer Designee, the Corporation shall take all reasonable necessary action within its power to (i) cause each Pioneer Designee to be included in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board to the Corporation’s stockholders for election as directors at each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation (and/or in connection with any election by written consent), (ii) include each Pioneer Designee in

 

3

 

the proxy statement and proxy, or information statement and consent, distributed by the Corporation for the purpose of soliciting proxies or consents for election to the Board and solicit proxies in favor of the election of each Pioneer Designee, (iii) vote or provide a written consent or proxy with respect to any Common Stock held by the Corporation in favor of the election of each Pioneer Designee, and (iv) make, or cause to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result. For the avoidance of doubt, the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, as they apply to the Independent Pioneer Designee, shall only apply with respect to the Corporation’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(c)                                  Replacement of Directors.  Until the Designation Rights Termination Date, in the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal (with or without cause) of the Non-Independent Pioneer Designee, in his or her capacity as a director (the “Pioneer Director”), or in the event of the failure of the Non-Independent Pioneer Designee to be elected, Pioneer shall have the right to designate another individual to fill such vacancy. The Corporation shall take all reasonable necessary action within its power to cause such vacancy to be filled by the individual so designated in writing by Pioneer as soon as practicable after such designation. Further, upon Pioneer’s written request, the Corporation shall take all actions necessary to remove, with or without cause, the Pioneer Director, and to elect any replacement director designated in writing by Pioneer as provided in the first sentence of this Section 2(c).

 

(d)                                 No Limitation.  The provisions of this Section 2 are intended to provide Pioneer with the minimum Board representation rights set forth herein. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Corporation from having a greater number of nominees or designees of Pioneer on the Board than otherwise provided herein. In addition, nothing in this Section 2 shall be construed to prevent Pioneer from having a lesser number of nominees or designees than otherwise provided herein or pursuant to applicable law and the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

 

(e)                                  Laws and Regulations.  Nothing in this Section 2 shall be deemed to require that any Party, or any Affiliate thereof, act or be in violation of any applicable provision of law, regulation, legal duty or requirement or stock exchange or stock market rules or regulations.

 

Section 3                                              Lock-Up.

 

During the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending 180 days after such date, Pioneer shall not, without the prior written consent of the Corporation, directly or indirectly, (a) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to offer or sell, solicit offers to purchase, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to any shares of Common Stock

 

4

 

received by it on the Effective Date, (b) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any shares of Common Stock received by it on the Effective Date, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b); provided, however, that this Section 3 shall not restrict Pioneer’s transfer of any Common Stock to one or more of its Affiliates; provided, that such Affiliates agree to be bound by this Section 3.

 

Section 4                                              Qualifications and Information.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each Pioneer Designee shall be required to: (a) in the reasonable judgment of the Board, have the requisite skill and experience to serve as a director of a publicly traded company, and (b) not be prohibited or disqualified from serving as a director of the Corporation pursuant to the applicable securities laws, regulations or stock exchange or stock market rules or regulations. The Board may adopt additional reasonable standards of skill and experience desired of potential candidates for nomination to the Board or a committee of the Board, which may be reflected in a charter of a committee of the Board or other similar document. Pioneer shall use reasonable efforts to timely provide the Corporation with accurate and complete information relating to any Pioneer Designee that may be required to be disclosed by the Company under the Exchange Act. In addition, at the Corporation’s request, Pioneer shall use reasonable efforts to cause any Pioneer Designee to complete and execute a Director and Officer Questionnaire, in the form required to be completed by each of the Company’s other directors, prior to being admitted to the Board or any committee thereof or standing for reelection at an annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, or at such other time as may be requested by the Corporation.

 

Section 5                                              Duration of Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the first to occur of the following:  (a) the dissolution of the Corporation (unless the Corporation continues to exist after such dissolution as a limited liability company or in another form, whether incorporated in Delaware or another jurisdiction); (b) the Designation Rights Termination Date; and (c) upon written agreement by the Parties.

 

Section 6                                              Severability.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  In addition, any such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a provision that comes closest to the business objective intended by such invalid or unenforceable provision without being invalid or unenforceable itself.

 

Section 7                                              Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to its choice or conflict of law provisions or rules.

 

5

 

(b)                                 Each Party consents to personal jurisdiction in any action brought in the United States federal and state courts located in the State of Texas with respect to any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or in relation to or in connection with this Agreement, and each of the Parties agrees that any action with respect to any such dispute, controversy, or claim will be determined exclusively in a state or federal district court located in Dallas County, Texas. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT OR ANY DEFENSE OF INCONVENIENT FORUM FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH DISPUTE.

 

Section 8                                              Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE PARTIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY OTHER PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

Section 9                                              Stock Dividends, Etc.

 

The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to any and all shares of Stock or any successor or assignee of the Corporation (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution for the shares of Stock, by reason of any stock dividend, split, reverse split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise in such a manner and with such appropriate adjustments as to reflect the intent and meaning of the provisions hereof and so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Stock as so changed.

 

Section 10                                       Benefits of Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties, and each of their respective successors and assigns.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties (and their respective successors and permitted assigns), any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement; provided that only a Party (and its respective successors and permitted assigns) will have the right to enforce the provisions of this Agreement on its own behalf (but shall not be obligated to do so).

 

Section 11                                       Notices.

 

All notices and other communications that are required or that may be given pursuant to this Agreement (including notices to change the below information) shall be (a) sufficient in all respects if given in writing, in English, and delivered by recognized courier service (including

 

6

 

registered or certified mail or by overnight delivery, including by way of the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or Federal Express) or by facsimile or electronic mail to the Party to be noticed pursuant to the contact information below that corresponds with the applicable form of notice and (b) deemed received when actually delivered (as reflected by the courier’s receipt, evidence of delivery or written confirmation of successful transmission, as applicable):

 

(i)                                     If to the Corporation, to:

 

ProPetro Holding Corp.
 P.O. Box 309
 Midland, Texas 79702
 Attention: Jeff Smith, Chief Financial Officer
 Facsimile: 432-688-3976
 Telephone: 432-688-0012
 E-mail:  Jeff.Smith@propetroservices.com

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

ProPetro Holding Corp.
 P.O. Box 309
 Midland, Texas 79702
 Attention: Legal Department
 Facsimile: 432-688-3976
 Telephone: 432-688-0012
 E-mail:  Mark.Howell@propetroservices.com

 

(ii)                                  If to Pioneer, to:

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Pumping Services LLC

c/o Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.
 5205 North O’Connor, Suite 200
 Irving, Texas 75039-3746
 Attention: Chris Paulsen, VP — Business Development
 Facsimile: 972-969-3518
 E-mail:  Chris.Paulsen@pxd.com

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.
 5205 North O’Connor, Suite 200
 Irving, Texas 75039-3746
 Attention:  Mark Kleinman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
 Facsimile:  972-969-3552
 E-mail:  Mark.Kleinman@pxd.com

 

or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.

 

7

 

Section 12                                       Assignment.  No Party shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the other Party and any assignment made without such consent shall be void ab initio; provided, however, that Pioneer shall be entitled to assign its rights under this Agreement to Pioneer Natural Resources Company or its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Corporation.

 

Section 13                                       Waiver.

 

Any failure by any Party to comply with any of its obligations, agreements or conditions herein contained may be waived by the Party to whom such compliance is owed by an instrument signed by the Party to whom compliance is owed and expressly identified as a waiver, but not in any other manner.  No waiver of, or consent to a change in or modification of, any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of, or consent to a change in or modification of, any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

 

Section 14                                       Amendments.

 

This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, and terms and conditions may be waived, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing executed by each Party.

 

Section 15                                       Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 16                                       Specific Performance.

 

Each Party acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of this Agreement will be inadequate, agrees that each other Party to this Agreement shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in case of any such breach or attempted breach, and further agrees to waive (to the extent legally permissible) any legal conditions required to be met for the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief (including posting any bond in order to obtain equitable relief).

 

Section 17                                       Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Any .pdf or other electronic transmission hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

 

Section 18                                       Further Assurances.

 

Each Party shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and

 

8

 

other documents as any other Party reasonably may request in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 19                                       Waiver of Corporate Opportunity.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Pioneer, its Affiliates nor any of its or their respective principals, officers, members, managers and/or employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Corporation (“Covered Persons”) shall have any fiduciary duty to refrain from (a) carrying on and conducting, whether directly, or as a partner in any partnership, or as a joint venturer in any joint venture, or as an officer, director or stockholder of any corporation, or as a participant in any syndicate, pool, trust or association, any business of any kind, nature or description, whether or not such business is competitive with or in the same or similar lines of business as the Corporation or its Affiliates, (b) doing business with any client, customer, vendor or lessor of any of the Corporation or its Affiliates, or (c) making investments in any kind of property in which the Corporation may make investments. In the event that any of Pioneer, its Affiliates or its or their respective Covered Persons acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may constitute a corporate opportunity for both (y) (i) the Covered Person, in his or her capacity with Pioneer or its Affiliates, or (ii) Pioneer or its Affiliates and (z) the Corporation or its Affiliates, neither Pioneer, its Affiliates, nor any of its or their respective Covered Persons shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to offer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law and with this Agreement having been approved by, and constituting an action of, the Board, the Corporation and its Affiliates hereby renounce, pursuant to Section 122(17) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its Affiliates in such corporate opportunity and waive any claim against each of Pioneer, its Affiliates and its and their respective Covered Persons and shall indemnify each of Pioneer, its Affiliates and its and their respective Covered Persons against any claim that Pioneer, its Affiliates or its or their respective Covered Persons is liable to the Corporation, its Affiliates or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty, as a director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation or its Affiliates, solely by reason of the fact that Pioneer, its Affiliates or its or their respective Covered Persons (i) pursues or acquires any corporate opportunity for its own account or the account of any Affiliate, (ii) directs, recommends, sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers such corporate opportunity to another Person or (iii) does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation or its Affiliates. The Corporation shall pay in advance any expenses incurred in defense of such claim as provided in this Section 19.

 

Section 20                                       Indemnification Agreement.

 

Each Pioneer Designee shall be entitled to enter into an indemnification agreement with the Corporation in substantially the same form as the existing indemnification agreement with the other members of the Board.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

9

 

The Parties have signed this agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
CORPORATION:   

 

PROPETRO   HOLDING CORP. 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Jeffrey D. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Jeffrey   D. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Financial Officer
    

 

Signature Page to Investor Rights Agreement

 

 

	
 
    	
PIONEER:   

 

PIONEER   NATURAL RESOURCES PUMPING SERVICES LLC 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mark H. Kleinman
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Mark   H. Kleinman
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Senior   Vice President and General Counsel
    

 

Signature Page to Investor Rights AgreementExhibit 4.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2018 by and among ProPetro Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Pioneer Natural Resources Pumping Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pioneer”), and each Holder who becomes a party to this Agreement by entering into a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

WHEREAS, the Company, Pioneer and Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. have entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2018 (the “PSA”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the PSA, the Company will issue to Pioneer the Purchased Common Stock (as defined herein); and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the PSA, the Company has agreed to grant to the Holders (as defined herein) certain rights with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual promises, agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
 DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.                                 Definitions.  The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:

 

“Accepting Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person where “control” shall have the meaning given such term in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; provided that, in no event shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries be considered an Affiliate of Pioneer.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Commission is required or authorized to close.

 

“Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in the PSA.

 

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

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company and any stock into which such common stock may thereafter be converted or exchanged.

 

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Demand Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Demand Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Effectiveness Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

“Holder” means Pioneer or any Transferee that is a record holder of any Registrable Securities.

 

“Included Registrable Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Initiating Holder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Managing Underwriter” or “Managing Underwriters” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the lead book running manager of such Underwritten Offering.

 

“Market Value” means, with respect to the Common Stock, the market price of the Common Stock for such day (or, if such day is not a trading day, the most recent prior trading day). The market price of the Common Stock for a trading day shall be:  (i) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the over-the-counter market, the closing price, regular way, on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system, (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the over-the-counter market, the last reported sale price on such day or, if no sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the Company, or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the over-the-counter market and no such last reported sale price or closing bid and asked prices are available, the average of the reported high bid and low asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the Company, or if there shall be no bid and asked prices on such day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, as so reported, on the most recent day (not more than ten (10) days prior to the date in question) for which prices have been so reported; provided that if there are no bid and asked prices reported during the ten days prior to the date in question, the Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined by the board of directors of the Company acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.

 

“Parity Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)(ii) of this Agreement.

 

2

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

 

“Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Pioneer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“PSA” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Purchased Common Stock” means the shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold to Pioneer pursuant to the PSA.

 

“Registrable Securities” means (i) any Purchased Common Stock held at any time by Pioneer or any other Holder, and (ii) any Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company or any successor entity that may be issued or distributed in respect of the Registrable Securities by way of stock dividend, stock split or other distribution, recapitalization, merger, conversion or reclassification, all of which Registrable Securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such time as such securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Registration Statement” means a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the resale of the Registrable Securities, including a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

“Requesting Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

“Selling Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” means a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act).

 

“Transferee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10 of this Agreement.

 

“Underwritten Offering” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement) in which shares of Common Stock of the Company are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks.

 

3

 

Section 1.2.                                 Registrable Securities.  Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security (a) when a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or is declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement, (b) when such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act, (c) when such Registrable Security has been disposed of in a private transaction pursuant to which the transferor’s rights have not been assigned to the Transferee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Agreement, (d) when such Registrable Security is held by the Company or its subsidiaries or (e) when such Registrable Security shall have ceased to be outstanding.

 

Section 1.3.                                 Rights and Obligations.  Except for the rights and obligations under Section 2.8 of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of each Holder under this Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement with respect to each Holder, shall terminate when such Holder is no longer a Holder.

 

ARTICLE II
 REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 2.1.                                 Shelf Registration.

 

(a)                                 Shelf Registration.  As promptly as reasonably practicable following its receipt of a written request from any Holder to register its Registrable Securities, the Company shall notify all Holders that a Shelf Registration Statement will be filed with the Commission within sixty (60) days from the date such request is made, and the Company shall prepare and file a Shelf Registration Statement, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as soon as permitted pursuant to applicable securities law. A Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall be selected by the Company in its sole discretion. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement filed and declared effective pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) to be continuously effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have either been distributed in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Shelf Registration Statement or ceased to be Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements are made).

 

(b)                                 Delay Rights.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may, upon written notice to any Selling Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf Registration Statement, suspend such Selling Holder’s use of any prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement (in which event the Selling Holder shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement)

 

4

 

if (i) there is or is reasonably anticipated to be an acquisition, merger, financing activity, reorganization, disposition or other transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the Company determines in good faith that the ability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in the Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) the Company has experienced, or reasonably expects to experience, some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Company, would materially adversely affect the Company or its business prospects, (iii) for reasons beyond the Company’s control, any required financial statements are unavailable, or (iv) the Company is required under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to file with the Commission any report or other document necessitating a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, in no event shall any delay pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) immediately above exceed sixty (60) days in any one hundred eighty (180) day period or ninety (90) days in any twelve-month period, in each case, exclusive of days covered by any lock-up agreement executed by a Selling Holder in connection with any Underwritten Offering.  Upon the disclosure of such information, the termination of the condition described above or the effectiveness of such post-effective amendment, the Company shall provide prompt notice to the Selling Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf Registration Statement, shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other actions reasonably necessary to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2.                                 Piggyback Registration.

 

(a)                                 Participation.  If the Company at any time proposes to (i) register any Common Stock for its own account for sale to the public in an Underwritten Offering or (ii) otherwise file any registration statement with the Commission relating to any Underwritten Offering of Common Stock (other than (i) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form) relating solely to an offering or sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee benefit plans or arrangements,  (ii) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (or any successor form) relating to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), or (iii) in connection with any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar plan), and the form of Registration Statement to be used may be used for any registration of Registrable Securities, then, as soon as practicable following the engagement of counsel to the Company to prepare the documents to be used in connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall give notice of such proposed Underwritten Offering to the Holders, and such notice shall offer the Holders the opportunity to include in such Underwritten Offering such number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities (the “Included Registrable Securities”) as each such Holder may request in writing (a “Piggyback Registration”), subject to the cutback provisions of Section 2.2(b). The notice required to be provided in this Section 2.2(a) to each of the Holders shall be provided on a Business Day pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed by the Holder. Each such Holder shall have three (3) Business Days (or two (2) Business Days in connection with any overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) from the date of such notice to request in writing the inclusion of a specified number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering. If no written request or an incomplete request for inclusion from a Holder is received by the Company within such specified time, each

 

5

 

such Holder shall have no further right to participate in such Underwritten Offering. The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time in its sole discretion.  If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to undertake an Underwritten Offering and prior to the closing of such Underwritten Offering, the Company shall determine for any reason not to undertake or to delay such Underwritten Offering, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Selling Holders and, (1) in the case of a determination not to undertake such Underwritten Offering, shall be relieved of its obligation to sell any Included Registrable Securities in connection with such terminated Underwritten Offering, and (2) in the case of a determination to delay such Underwritten Offering, shall be permitted to delay offering any Included Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in the Underwritten Offering. Any Selling Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Selling Holder’s request for inclusion of such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering.

 

(b)                                 Priority of Piggyback Registration.  If the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters of any proposed Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.2 advises the Company that the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Selling Holders and any other Persons intend to include in such offering exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock that can be sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the shares of Common Stock offered or the market for the Common Stock, then the shares of Common Stock to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall include the number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities that such Managing Underwriter or Underwriters advises the Company can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated:

 

(i)                                     first, to the Company, up to the number of shares of Common Stock sought to be sold by the Company in such Underwritten Offering; and

 

(ii)                                  second, pro rata among the Selling Holders who have requested participation in such Underwritten Offering and any other holder of shares of Common Stock having rights of registration that are not expressly subordinated to the Registrable Securities (the “Parity Securities”).  The pro rata allocations for each such Selling Holder who has requested participation in such Underwritten Offering shall be the product of (A) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such Underwritten Offering multiplied by (B)  the fraction derived by dividing (1) the number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder at the time of its request for inclusion in such Underwritten Offering by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities owned by all Selling Holders at such time plus the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock constituting the Parity Securities owned by all holders of the Parity Securities, in each case, that are participating in such Underwritten Offering.

 

(c)                                  General Procedures.  In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Section 2.2, the Company shall be entitled to select the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters in its sole discretion.  In connection with an Underwritten Offering under this

 

6

 

Section 2.2 in which a Selling Holder participates, each such Selling Holder and the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters and such underwriting agreement shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwriting agreements for firm commitment offerings of equity securities. No Selling Holder may participate in an Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder, its authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to offer and sell any Registrable Securities that it owns (including that such actions will not conflict with, breach, violate or result in a default under such Selling Holder’s organizational documents, material agreements or any applicable law, as applicable, nor result in the creation or imposition of any liens on property of such Selling Holder), and its ownership of such Registrable Securities being registered on its behalf and its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an Underwritten Offering, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to the Company and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however, that such withdrawal must be made at least one (1) Business Day prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering to be effective. No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect the Company’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses.

 

Section 2.3.                                 Demand Offering.

 

(a)                                 Demand Offering Rights.  Subject to the conditions of this Section 2.3, any Holder (in such capacity, the “Initiating Holder”) may request in writing (a “Demand Request”) that the Company undertake an Underwritten Offering (a “Demand Offering”); provided, however, that a Demand Offering may only be made if (i) the Registrable Securities requested to be registered by the Initiating Holder delivering the Demand Request have a Market Value of at least $30,000,000 on the trading day immediately preceding the date that the Demand Request is sent to the Company and (ii) it shall not cause the Holders to request more than two (2) Demand Offerings in any consecutive 12-month period. Following receipt of a Demand Request, the Company shall, within ten (10) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all other Holders in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement. Such other Holders shall then have up to ten (10) Business Days from the mailing of such notice by the Company to request inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Demand Offering, and, upon receipt of the request from such other Holders, the Company shall, subject to the limitations of Section 2.3(a)(i), use its commercially reasonable efforts to undertake and effect such Demand Offering as soon as practicable following the receipt of the notice from all such other Holders (“Accepting Holders” and, together with the Initiating Holder, the “Requesting Holders”).

 

(i)                                     Underwritten Offerings.  The underwriter for a Demand Offering will be selected by the Initiating Holder and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. The right of any Holder to include his, her or its Registrable Securities in such Demand Offering shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Demand Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the Demand Offering to the extent provided herein. The

 

7

 

Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Demand Offering. No Accepting Holder may participate in such Demand Offering unless such Accepting Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. If any Accepting Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Accepting Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to the Company, the Initiating Holder and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however, that such withdrawal must be made at least one (1) Business Day prior to the time of pricing of such Demand Offering to be effective.

 

(b)                                 Priority of Demand Offering.  If the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters of any proposed Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.3 advises the Company and the Initiating Holder that the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Requesting Holders intend to include in such offering exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock that can be sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of shares of Common Stock offered or the market for the Common Stock, then the shares of Common Stock to be included in such offering shall include the number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities that such Managing Underwriter or Underwriters advises the Company and the Initiating Holder can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated:

 

(i)                                     first, pro rata among the Requesting Holders (based, for each such Requesting Holder, on the percentage derived by dividing (A) the number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by such Requesting Holder in such offering by (B) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock constituting Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by all such Requesting Holders in the Demand Offering); and

 

(ii)                                  second, pro rata among the holders of any Parity Securities (based, for each such holder, on the percentage derived by dividing (A) the number of shares of Common Stock constituting Parity Securities proposed to be sold by such holder in such offering by (B) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock constituting Parity Securities proposed to be sold by all such holders in the Demand Offering); and

 

(iii)                               third, any shares of Common Stock to be sold for the account of the Company.

 

(c)                                  Number of Demand Offerings.  No more three (3) Demand Offerings may be made pursuant to this Section 2.3.

 

(d)                                 Demand Delay Rights.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may, upon written notice to the Requesting Holders, delay a Demand Offering if (i) there is or is reasonably anticipated to be an acquisition, merger, financing activity, reorganization, disposition or other transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the Company determines in good faith that the ability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in the registration statement for the

 

8

 

Demand Offering, (ii) the Company has experienced some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Company, would materially adversely affect the Company or its business prospects, or (iii) for reasons beyond the Company’s control, any required financial statements are unavailable; provided, however, in no event shall any delay pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) immediately above exceed ninety (90) days or be utilized more than once in any twelve-month period, exclusive of days covered by any lock-up agreement executed by a Selling Holder in connection with any Underwritten Offering.  Upon the disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Company shall provide prompt notice to the Requesting Holders, shall promptly recommence the delayed Demand Offering and shall take such other actions reasonably necessary to permit registered sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Offering.

 

Section 2.4.                                 Sale Procedures.  In connection with its obligations contained in Section 2.1, Section 2.2 and Section 2.3, the Company will, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable:

 

(a)                                 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(b)                                 furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by Section 2.3 of this Agreement and the prospectus included therein or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing the Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus included therein or any supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Selling Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement;

 

(c)                                  if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request as may be necessary for the marketability of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

9

 

(d)                                 promptly notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered by any of them under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any prospectus included therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective and (ii) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any prospectus included therein or any amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(e)                                  as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered by any of them under the Securities Act, of (i) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus contained in the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, (ii) the issuance or express threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, or (iii) the receipt by the Company of any written notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, the Company agrees to as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the prospectus (or prepare and file appropriate reports under the Exchange Act) or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other commercially reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto; provided, however, that during the period in which the use of such prospectus may be suspended under this Agreement, no supplement or amendment need be furnished until the termination of such suspension;

 

(f)                                   upon request and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations, furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;

 

(g)                                  otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

 

10

 

(h)                                 make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling Holders access to such information and the Company personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided that the Company need not disclose any information to any such representative unless and until such representative has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company;

 

(i)                                     cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed;

 

(j)                                    use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(k)                                 provide a transfer agent and registrar, which may be a single entity, for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement; and

 

(l)                                     enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (e) of this Section 2.4 or the commencement of any delay period contemplated by Section 2.1(b) or Section 2.3(d), shall forthwith discontinue and suspend offers and sales of the Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (e) of this Section 2.4 or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will, or will request the Managing Underwriter or underwriters, if any, to deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies (including, without limitation, any and all drafts) in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus and any prospectus supplement covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

Section 2.5.                                 Cooperation by Holders.  The Company shall have no obligation to include in any Registration Statement Registrable Securities of a Holder, in a Piggyback Registration Registrable Securities of a Selling Holder, or in a Demand Offering Registrable Securities of an Accepting Holder who has failed to timely furnish such information that the Company determines, after consultation with its counsel, is reasonably required in order for the registration statement or prospectus, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.6.                                 Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities.  Each Holder of Registrable Securities that participates in an Underwritten Offering agrees not to effect

 

11

 

any sale or distribution of the Registrable Securities during the 30 calendar day period beginning on the date of a prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of such Underwritten Offering, or other prospectus (including any free writing prospectus) containing the terms of the pricing of such Underwritten Offering other than sales or distributions pursuant to such Underwritten Offering; provided that the duration of the foregoing restriction shall be shortened or extended, as applicable, to match the duration of the shortest restriction imposed by the underwriters on the officers or directors or any other shareholder of the Company on whom a restriction is imposed in connection with such Underwritten Offering.

 

Section 2.7.                                 Expenses.

 

(a)                                 Certain Definitions.  “Registration Expenses” means all expenses incident to the Company’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, a Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 2.2, a Demand Offering pursuant to Section 2.3, and the disposition of such securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing fees, all registration, filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., transfer taxes and fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, and the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Company, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.7 hereof, the Company shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder. In addition, the Company shall not be responsible for any “Selling Expenses,” which means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions, or similar fees or arrangements allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities, and transfer taxes allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

 

(b)                                 Expenses.  The Company will pay all reasonable Registration Expenses in connection with a Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Offering (including any Demand Offering), regardless of whether any sale is made pursuant to the Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Offering (including any Demand Offering). Each Selling Holder shall pay all Selling Expenses allocated (on a pro rata basis) to such Selling Holder in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder.

 

Section 2.8.                                 Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 By the Company.  In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder and its directors and officers, , and each underwriter, pursuant to the applicable underwriting agreement with such underwriter, of Registrable Securities thereunder and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder or underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder or any such director, officer, underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act, or

 

12

 

otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder, its directors and officers, each such underwriter and each such controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply, and the Company will not be liable, in any such case (i) if and to the extent that any such Loss (or action or proceeding, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement, preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, or amendment or supplement thereof in reliance upon and made in conformity with information furnished by or on behalf of such Selling Holder, such underwriter or such controlling Person in writing specifically for use or inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, or any amendment or supplement thereof, as applicable, or (ii) if and to the extent that such Loss results from any of the Selling Holders failing to comply with the terms of the plan of distribution mechanics described in the applicable prospectus. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any such director, officer, underwriter or controlling Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.

 

(b)                                 By Each Selling Holder.  As a condition to including any Registrable Securities to be offered by a Selling Holder in the Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, each Selling Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to be bound by the terms of this Section 2.8(b) and to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, legal counsel and accountants, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, any underwriter, and any controlling Person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of any such underwriter, against any Losses, joint or several, to which the Company or any such director, officer, underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, (i) if and to the extent that any such Loss (or action or proceeding, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement, preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, or amendment or supplement thereof, if such untrue statement, alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and made in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for use or inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereof, as

 

13

 

applicable, or (ii) if and to the extent that such Loss results from the Selling Holders failing to comply with the terms of the plan of distribution mechanics described in the applicable prospectus.  Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, or any such director, officer, legal counsel, accountants, underwriter or controlling Person and shall survive the transfer of such shares by the Selling Holders, and such Selling Holder shall reimburse the Company, and each such director, officer, legal counsel, accountants, underwriter or controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the liability of each Selling Holder under this Section 2.8(b) shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the gross proceeds received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification.

 

(c)                                  Third Party Claims.  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding involving a claim referred to in Section 2.8(a) or Section 2.8(b) (including any action brought by a governmental entity), such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under this Section 2.8, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually materially prejudiced by such omission to give notice. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.8 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and counsel to the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or if counsel to the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. Neither an indemnified party nor an indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action or proceeding effected without its consent.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the indemnifying party shall not settle any indemnified claim without the consent of the indemnified party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, includes a complete release from liability of, and does not contain any admission of wrong doing by, the indemnified party.  In the event that an indemnifying party does or is not permitted to assume the defense of an action pursuant to this Section 2.8(c) or in the case of the expense reimbursement obligation set forth in Section 2.8(a) or Section 2.8(b), the indemnification required by Section 2.8(a) or Section 2.8(b) shall be made

 

14

 

by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when invoices or bills are received or Losses incurred.

 

(d)                                 Contribution.  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.8 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to the Company or any Selling Holder or is insufficient to hold them harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall (i) contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the proportionate relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of such Selling Holder on the other (determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission which resulted in such Losses relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling Holder and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission), or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law or provides a lesser sum to the indemnified party than the amount hereinafter calculated, not only the proportionate relative fault of the Company and such Selling Holder, but also the relative benefits received by each, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of gross proceeds received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e)                                  Other Indemnification.  The provisions of this Section 2.8 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

 

Section 2.9.                                 Rule 144 Reporting.  With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees, at all times at which the Company has securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:

 

(a)                                 Make and keep public information regarding the Company available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

15

 

(b)                                 File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

 

(c)                                  So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish (unless otherwise available at no charge by access electronically to the Commission’s EDGAR filing system) to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration.

 

Section 2.10.                          Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities granted to the Holders by the Company under this Article II may be transferred or assigned by each such Holder to one or more transferees or assignees of such Registrable Securities (each, a “Transferee”), who (a) are Affiliates of such Holder, or (b) hold, collectively with its or their Affiliates, after giving effect to such transfer or assignment, at least 50% of the Registrable Securities of all Holders as of such date. The Company shall be given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such Transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, and each such Transferee shall assume in writing responsibility for its obligations of such Holder under this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

Section 2.11.                          Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights.  Subject to Section 2.10, from and after the date hereof, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any current or future holder of any securities of the Company that would allow such current or future holder to require the Company to include securities in any registration statement filed by the Company on a basis other than pari passu with, or expressly subordinate to,  the rights granted to the Holders hereunder.

 

Section 2.12.                          Aggregation of Registrable Securities.  All Registrable Securities held or acquired by Persons who are Affiliates of one another shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III
 MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1.                                 Communications.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (a) when delivered by overnight courier or hand delivery, (b) when sent by electronic mail, facsimile or telecopy, or (c) five (5) days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) postage prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for any party as shall be specified by like notices; provided that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof):

 

16

 

If to the Company, to:

 

ProPetro Holding Corp.

P.O. Box 309

Midland, Texas 79702

Attention: Jeff Smith, Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile: 432-688-3976

Telephone: 432-688-0012

E-mail:  Jeff.Smith@propetroservices.com

 

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

 

ProPetro Holding Corp.

P.O. Box 309

Midland, Texas 79702

Attention: Legal Department

Facsimile: 432-688-3976

Telephone: 432-688-0012

E-mail:  Mark.Howell@propetroservices.com

 

If to Pioneer, to:

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Pumping Services LLC

c/o Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

5205 North O’Connor, Suite 200

Irving, Texas  75039-3746

Attention: Richard P. Dealy, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile: 972-969-3581

E-mail:  Rich.Dealy@pxd.com

 

With a copy to:

 

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

5205 North O’Connor, Suite 200

Irving, Texas  75039-3746

Attention:  Mark Kleinman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Facsimile:  972-969-3552

E-mail:  Mark.Kleinman@pxd.com

 

If to any other Holder, to the address set forth on the applicable joinder agreement signature page.

 

Section 3.2.                                 Successor and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.

 

17

 

Section 3.3.                                 Assignment of Rights.  All or any portion of the rights and obligations of the Holders under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by such Holder in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof.

 

Section 3.4.                                 Recapitalization, Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Shares.  The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all capital stock of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.5.                                 Specific Performance.  Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity which such Person may have.

 

Section 3.6.                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

 

Section 3.7.                                 Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

Section 3.8.                                 Governing Law.  The laws of the State of Texas shall govern this Agreement without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

Section 3.9.                                 Severability of Provisions.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 3.10.                          Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the rights granted by the Company set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

Section 3.11.                          Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by the Company and the Holders of a majority of the then-outstanding

 

18

 

Registrable Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall adversely and disproportionately affect the rights or obligations of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder and any amendment that establishes new rights for, or enhances existing rights of, any Holder within the scope of the subject matter of this Agreement shall apply to all Holders (on a proportionate basis).

 

Section 3.12.                          Termination.  The registration rights granted under this Agreement will terminate at such time as there shall no longer be any Registrable Securities.

 

Section 3.13.                          No Presumption.  In the event any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

19

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
COMPANY:  
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PROPETRO   HOLDING CORP.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Jeffrey D. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Jeffrey   D. Smith
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Chief   Financial Officer
    

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

	
 
    	
PIONEER:  
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PIONEER   NATURAL RESOURCES PUMPING SERVICES LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Mark H. Kleinman
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Mark   H. Kleinman
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Senior   Vice President and General Counsel
    

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT TO

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

The undersigned hereby agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions of that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2018, by and among ProPetro Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, Pioneer Natural Resources Pumping Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the Persons who become party thereto from time to time (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), and to join in the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder with the same force and effect as if the undersigned were originally a party thereto.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

A-1

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this joinder agreement as of [DATE].

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Address:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    

 

A-2

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00290-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00290-of-00352.parquet"}]]