Document:

Document

        EXHIBIT 10.1

        Execution Version

			
	

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
dated as of June 17, 2020 between

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 as Priority Lien Agent,

and

UMB BANK, N.A.,
as Second Lien Collateral Trustee
			
	

THIS IS THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT REFERRED TO IN (A) THE INDENTURE DATED AS OF JUNE 17, 2020, AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG SM ENERGY COMPANY, CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND UMB BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, (B) THE SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2018, AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED, RESTATED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG SM ENERGY COMPANY, THE LENDERS PARTY THERETO FROM TIME TO TIME AND WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, (C) THE OTHER NOTE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN SUCH INDENTURE AND (D) THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENT.
			
	

         

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Construction; Certain Defined Terms..............................................................................1
ARTICLE II
LIEN PRIORITIES
Section 2.01 Relative Priorities...........................................................................................................15
Section 2.02 Prohibition on Marshalling, Etc.....................................................................................16
Section 2.03 No New Liens................................................................................................................16
Section 2.04 Similar Collateral and Agreements................................................................................17
Section 2.05 No Duties of Priority Lien Agent..................................................................................18
Section 2.06 No Duties of Second Lien Collateral Trustee................................................................18
ARTICLE III
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS; PURCHASE OPTION
Section 3.01 Limitation on Enforcement Action................................................................................19
Section 3.02 Standstill Periods; Permitted Enforcement Action.......................................................21
Section 3.03 Insurance........................................................................................................................23
Section 3.04 Notification of Release of Collateral............................................................................24
Section 3.05 No Interference; Payment Over.....................................................................................24
Section 3.06 Purchase Option.............................................................................................................26
ARTICLE IV
OTHER AGREEMENTS
Section 4.01 Release of Liens; Automatic Release of Second Liens and Third Liens.......................29
Section 4.02 Certain Agreements With Respect to Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings..............30
Section 4.03 Reinstatement.................................................................................................................37
Section 4.04 Refinancings; Additional Second Lien Debt; Initial Third Lien Indebtedness; Additional Third Lien Debt...........................................................................................37
Section 4.05 Amendments to Second Lien Documents and Third Lien Documents..........................39
Section 4.06 Legends..........................................................................................................................40
Section 4.07 Second Lien Secured Parties and Third Lien Secured Parties Rights as Unsecured Creditors; Judgment Lien Creditor...............................................................................41
Section 4.08 Postponement of Subrogation.......................................................................................41
Section 4.09 Acknowledgment by the Secured Debt Representatives..............................................41
ARTICLE V
GRATUITOUS BAILMENT FOR PERFECTION OF CERTAIN SECURITY INTERESTS
Section 5.01 General...........................................................................................................................42
Section 5.02 Deposit Accounts...........................................................................................................43
ARTICLE VI
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS; DETERMINATION OF AMOUNTS
Section 6.01 Application of Proceeds.................................................................................................43
Section 6.02 Determination of Amounts............................................................................................44
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ARTICLE VII
NO RELIANCE; NO LIABILITY; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE;
CONSENT OF GRANTORS; ETC.
Section 7.01 No Reliance; Information..............................................................................................44
Section 7.02 No Warranties or Liability.............................................................................................45
Section 7.03 Obligations Absolute.....................................................................................................46
Section 7.04 Grantors Consent...........................................................................................................47
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 8.01 Representations and Warranties of Each Party..............................................................47
Section 8.02 Representations and Warranties of Each Representative...............................................47
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Notices...........................................................................................................................47
Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendment....................................................................................................48
Section 9.03 Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance................................................................49
Section 9.04 Parties in Interest............................................................................................................49
Section 9.05 Survival of Agreement...................................................................................................49
Section 9.06 Counterparts...................................................................................................................50
Section 9.07 Severability....................................................................................................................50
Section 9.08 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process........................................50
Section 9.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..........................................................................................50
Section 9.10 Headings........................................................................................................................51
Section 9.11 Conflicts.........................................................................................................................51
Section 9.12 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights..................................................................51
Section 9.13 Certain Terms Concerning the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee..........................................................................................................51
Section 9.14 Certain Terms Concerning the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee...........................................................................51
Section 9.15 Authorization of Secured Agents...................................................................................52
Section 9.16 Further Assurances.........................................................................................................52
Section 9.17 Relationship of Secured Parties.....................................................................................52
Section 9.18 Third Lien Provisions....................................................................................................53

Annex and Exhibits
						
	Annex I	
		
	Exhibit A	Form of Priority Confirmation Joinder
	Exhibit B	Security Documents

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INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of June 17, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), between WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties referred to herein (in such capacity, and together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Original Priority Lien Agent”) and UMB BANK, N.A., as collateral trustee for the Second Lien Secured Parties referred to herein (in such capacity, and together with its successors in such capacity, the “Original Second Lien Collateral Trustee”).
Reference is made to (a) the Priority Credit Agreement (defined below) and (b) the Second Lien Indenture (defined below) governing the Second Lien Indenture Notes (defined below).
From time to time following the date hereof, SM ENERGY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, “SM Energy”) may (i) incur Additional Notes and Additional Second Lien Obligations (each as defined below) to the extent permitted by the Secured Debt Documents (as defined below); in connection with the Second Lien Indenture and any Additional Notes or Additional Second Lien Obligations, SM Energy and certain Grantors (as defined below), the Second Lien Trustee (defined below) and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (defined below) have entered into the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement (as defined below) and (ii) incur Initial Third Lien Obligations and Additional Third Lien Obligations (each as defined below) to the extent permitted by the Secured Debt Documents (as defined below); in connection with the Initial Third Lien Obligations, SM Energy and certain of its subsidiaries and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee (as defined below) shall, concurrently with the incurrence of such Initial Third Lien Obligations, enter into a Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement (as defined below).
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Original Priority Lien Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties) and the Original Second Lien Collateral Trustee (for itself and on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties) agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Construction; Certain Defined Terms.   (a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”  Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any reference herein to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, but shall not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such subsidiaries, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement, (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights and (vi) the term “or” is not exclusive.

           

(b) All terms capitalized but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Priority Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof. 
(c)All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in Article 1, 8 or 9 of the New York UCC (whether capitalized herein or not) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in Article 1, 8 or 9 of the New York UCC.  If a term is defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC and another Article of the New York UCC, such term shall have the meaning assigned to it in Article 9 of the New York UCC.
(d) Unless otherwise set forth herein, all references herein to (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall be deemed to refer to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee in its capacity as collateral trustee under the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement and (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall be deemed to refer to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee in its capacity as collateral trustee under the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement.
(e) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).
“Additional Notes” has the meaning given to the term “Additional Notes” in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.
“Additional Second Lien Debt Facility” means any Indebtedness for which the requirements of Section 4.04(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, restated, restructured, increased, supplemented, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with each applicable Secured Debt Document; provided that neither the Second Lien Indenture nor any Second Lien Substitute Facility shall constitute an Additional Second Lien Debt Facility at any time.
“Additional Second Lien Documents” means any Additional Second Lien Debt Facility and the Additional Second Lien Security Documents.
“Additional Second Lien Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligations of such Grantor owed to any Additional Second Lien Secured Party (or any of its Affiliates) in respect of the Additional Second Lien Documents.
“Additional Second Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, the trustee, agent or other representative of the holders of any Series of Second Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Second Lien Debt, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Additional Second Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Series of Second Lien Debt outstanding at such time; provided that the Indenture Second Lien Secured Parties shall not be deemed Additional Second Lien Secured Parties.
“Additional Second Lien Security Documents” means the Additional Second Lien Debt Facility (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral) and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed 
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and delivered by SM Energy or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon the Second Lien Collateral in favor of the Additional Second Lien Secured Parties.
“Additional Third Lien Debt Facility” means any Indebtedness for which the requirements of Section 4.04(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, restated, restructured, increased, supplemented, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with each applicable Secured Debt Document; provided that no Third Lien Substitute Facility shall constitute an Additional Third Lien Debt Facility at any time.
“Additional Third Lien Documents” means any Additional Third Lien Debt Facility and the Additional Third Lien Security Documents.
“Additional Third Lien Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligations of such Grantor owed to any Additional Third Lien Secured Party (or any of its Affiliates) in respect of the Additional Third Lien Documents.
“Additional Third Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, the trustee, agent or other representative of the holders of any Series of Third Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Third Lien Debt, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Additional Third Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Series of Third Lien Debt outstanding at such time.
“Additional Third Lien Security Documents” means the Additional Third Lien Debt Facility (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral) and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by SM Energy or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon the Third Lien Collateral in favor of the Additional Third Lien Secured Parties (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Third Lien Substitute Facility).
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control.  For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Bank Product” means each and any of the following bank services and products provided to SM Energy or any other Grantor or any subsidiary thereof by any lender under the Priority Credit Agreement or any Affiliate of any such lender: (a) commercial and corporate credit cards or debit cards, (b) purchase cards, (c) stored value cards, (d) Treasury Management Arrangements (including, without limitation, overdraft, depository, controlled disbursement, electronic funds transfer, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services) and (e) all other similar products as described in the definition of the term “Bank Product” in any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.
“Bank Product Obligations” means any and all obligations of SM Energy or any other Grantor, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired 
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(including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with any Bank Product.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.
“Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means:  (a) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation; (b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership; and (c) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Borrowing Base” has the meaning set forth in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the date hereof, and any component definition used therein has the meaning set forth in the Second Lien Indenture as of the date hereof.

“Borrowing Base Deficiency” occurs if at any time the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement in effect on the date hereof) exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect.  The amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency at such time is the amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures at such time exceeds the Borrowing Base in effect at such time; provided, that, for purposes of determining the existence and amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency, obligations under any Letter of Credit (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement in effect on the date hereof) will not be deemed to be outstanding to the extent that such obligations are secured by cash as contemplated by the Priority Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof. 

“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in Houston, Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina or Denver, Colorado are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests or membership units; and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Class” means (a) in the case of Priority Lien Debt, the Priority Lien Debt, taken together, (b) in the case of Second Lien Debt, every Series of Second Lien Debt, taken together and (c) in the case of Third Lien Debt, every Series of Third Lien Debt, taken together.
“Collateral” means all of the assets and property of any Grantor, whether real, personal or mixed, constituting Priority Lien Collateral, Second Lien Collateral and/or Third Lien Collateral.
“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including the Priority Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities, loan agreements or other financing agreements (other than bonds or debt securities), the majority of the loans or commitments under which, collectively, as of the date of the closing of such facilities or agreements, are provided by commercial banks, by affiliates of commercial banks customarily engaging in making or providing commercial loans or other financing, or by governmental authorities, and which facilities or agreements provide for revolving loans, term loans, 
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letters of credit or similar financing arrangements, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, re-funded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time with facilities or agreements that satisfy the above requirements.
“DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).
“DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).
“DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).
“Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations” means the occurrence of all of the following:
(a) termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute Priority Lien Debt;
(b) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all Priority Lien Debt (other than any undrawn letters of credit);
(c) discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (i) 102% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (ii) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Obligations and, in the case of discharge, the aggregate fronting and similar fees which have accrued thereon through the date of discharge of such letters of credit, and, in the case of cash collateralization, the aggregate fronting and similar fees which will accrue thereon through the stated expiry of such letters of credit;
(d) payment in full in cash of obligations in respect of Hedging Obligations constituting Priority Lien Obligations (and, with respect to any particular Hedge Agreement, termination of such agreement and payment in full in cash of all obligations thereunder or such other arrangements as have been made by the counterparty thereto (and communicated to the Priority Lien Agent) pursuant to the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement); and
(e) payment in full in cash of all other Priority Lien Obligations, including without limitation, Bank Product Obligations that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the Priority Lien Debt is paid in full in cash (other than (i) any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time and (ii) any Bank Product Obligations for which other arrangements have been made by the provider of such Bank Product Obligations (and communicated to the Priority Lien Agent) pursuant to the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement);
provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, SM Energy enters into any Priority Lien Document evidencing a Priority Lien Obligation which incurrence thereof is not prohibited by the applicable Secured Debt Documents, then such Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement with respect to such new Priority Lien Obligations (other than with respect to any actions taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations), and, from and after the date on which SM Energy designates such Indebtedness as Priority Lien Debt in accordance with this Agreement, the obligations under such Priority Lien Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as Priority Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth in this Agreement, any Second Lien Obligations shall 
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be deemed to have been at all times Second Lien Obligations and at no time Priority Lien Obligations and any Third Lien Obligations shall be deemed to have been at all times Third Lien Obligations and at no time Priority Lien Obligations or Second Lien Obligations.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Replacement as contemplated by Section 4.04(a) shall not be deemed to cause a Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.
“Discharge of Second Lien Obligations” means the occurrence of all of the following:
(a) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all Second Lien Debt;
(b) payment in full in cash of all other Second Lien Obligations that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the Second Lien Debt is paid in full in cash (other than any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time);
provided that, if at any time after the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations has occurred, SM Energy enters into any Second Lien Document evidencing a Second Lien Obligation which incurrence is not prohibited by the applicable Secured Debt Documents, then such Discharge of Second Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement with respect to such new Second Lien Obligations (other than with respect to any actions taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Second Lien Obligations), and, from and after the date on which SM Energy designates such Indebtedness as Second Lien Debt in accordance with this Agreement, the obligations under such Second Lien Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as Second Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth in this Agreement, any Third Lien Obligations shall be deemed to have been at all times Third Lien Obligations and at no time Second Lien Obligations.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Replacement as contemplated by Section 4.04(a) shall not be deemed to cause a Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.
“Disposition” shall mean any sale, lease, exchange, assignment, license, contribution, transfer or other disposition.  “Dispose” shall have a correlative meaning.
“Excess Priority Lien Obligations” means Obligations constituting Priority Lien Obligations for the principal amount of indebtedness (including letters of credit and letter of credit reimbursement obligations) under the Priority Credit Agreement and/or any other Credit Facility pursuant to which Priority Lien Debt has been issued to the extent that such Obligations for principal, letters of credit and letter of credit reimbursement obligations are in excess of the amount in clause (a) of the definition of “Priority Lien Cap.”
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other Person exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Grantor” means SM Energy and each subsidiary of SM Energy that shall have granted any Lien in favor of any of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee on any of its assets or properties to secure any of the Secured Obligations.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, the obligations of such Grantor incurred in the normal course of business and consistent with past practices and not for speculative 
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purposes under any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction (including any agreement, including Electric Swap Agreements, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act) or any combination of these transactions, including all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, that are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement (in each case, together with any related schedules) provided that no obligations in respect of phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of SM Energy or any subsidiary thereof shall be Hedging Obligations.
“Indenture Second Lien Documents” means the Second Lien Indenture, the Second Lien Indenture Notes, the Indenture Second Lien Security Documents and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing the Indenture Second Lien Obligations or any Second Lien Substitute Facility.
“Indenture Second Lien Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligations of such Grantor owed to any Indenture Second Lien Secured Party (or any of its Affiliates) in respect of the Indenture Second Lien Documents.
“Indenture Second Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Second Lien Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, the trustees, agents and other representatives of the holders of the Second Lien Indenture Notes (including any holders of notes pursuant to supplements executed in connection with the issuance of any Series of Second Lien Debt under the Second Lien Indenture) who maintains the transfer register for such Second Lien Indenture Notes or such Series of Second Lien Debt, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Indenture Second Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Second Lien Indenture Notes, any holder or lender pursuant to any Indenture Second Lien Document outstanding at such time; provided that the Additional Second Lien Secured Parties shall not be deemed Indenture Second Lien Secured Parties.
“Indenture Second Lien Security Documents” means the Second Lien Indenture (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral), the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement, each agreement listed in Part B of Exhibit B hereto and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by SM Energy or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Second Lien Substitute Facility).
“Initial Third Lien Debt Facility” means Indebtedness secured by a Third Lien for which the requirements of Section 4.04(c) of this Agreement have been satisfied, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, restated, restructured, increased, supplemented, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with each applicable Secured Debt Document.
“Initial Third Lien Documents” means the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility and the Initial Third Lien Security Documents.
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“Initial Third Lien Obligations” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligations of such Grantor owed to any Initial Third Lien Secured Party (or any of its Affiliates) in respect of the Initial Third Lien Documents.
“Initial Third Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Third Lien Trustee, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, the trustees, agents and other representatives of the holders of the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility (including any holders of notes pursuant to supplements executed in connection with the issuance of Series of Third Lien Debt under the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility) who maintains the transfer register for such Third Lien Debt, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Initial Third Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Initial Third Lien Obligations, any holder or lender pursuant to any Initial Third Lien Document outstanding at such time; provided that the Additional Third Lien Secured Parties shall not be deemed Initial Third Lien Secured Parties.
“Initial Third Lien Security Documents” means the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral) and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by SM Energy or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon the Third Lien Collateral in favor of the Initial Third Lien Secured Parties (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Third Lien Substitute Facility).
“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:
(a) any case commenced by or against SM Energy or any other Grantor under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of SM Energy or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to SM Energy or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to SM Energy or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;
(b) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to SM Energy or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or
(c) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of SM Energy or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothecation, or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any agreement to give a security interest therein and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
“Modified ACNTA” means “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” as defined in the Second Lien Indenture as in effect on the date hereof, and any component definition used therein has the meaning set forth in the Second Lien Indenture as of the date hereof.
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“New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.
“Obligations” means any principal (including reimbursement obligations and obligations to provide cash collateral with respect to letters of credit whether or not drawn), interest, premium (if any), fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest, premiums, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses and other liabilities accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate even if such applicable amount is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding).
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President or any Assistant Vice President of such Person.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of SM Energy by any Officer of SM Energy.
“Original Priority Lien Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Original Second Lien Collateral Trustee” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“Original Second Lien Trustee” means UMB Bank, N.A., in its capacity as trustee under the Second Lien Indenture, and together with its successors in such capacity.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Priority Confirmation Joinder” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Priority Credit Agreement” means the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2018, among SM Energy, as borrower, the Original Priority Lien Agent, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and the other agents named therein, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time under a Credit Facility, and any Credit Facility evidencing or governing the terms of any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.
“Priority Lien” means a Lien granted by SM Energy or any other Grantor in favor of the Priority Lien Agent, at any time, upon any Property of SM Energy or such Grantor to secure Priority Lien Obligations (including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Priority Substitute Credit Facility).
“Priority Lien Agent” means the Original Priority Lien Agent, and, from and after the date of execution and delivery of a Priority Substitute Credit Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee or other representative of the lenders or holders of the indebtedness and other Obligations evidenced thereunder or governed thereby, in each case, together with its successors in such capacity.
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“Priority Lien Cap” means, as of any date, (a) the aggregate principal amount of all indebtedness (including any interest paid in kind) outstanding at any time under the Priority Credit Agreement (with outstanding letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the stated amount thereof) equal to the greatest of (i) $1,100,000,000.00, (ii) the Borrowing Base in effect at the time of incurrence of such indebtedness, and (iii) 25.0% of Modified ACNTA at the time of incurrence of such indebtedness plus (b) the amount of all Hedging Obligations, to the extent such Hedging Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (c) the amount of all Bank Product Obligations to the extent such Bank Product Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (d) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest (excluding any interest paid-in-kind) and outstanding fees, to the extent such Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens.
“Priority Lien Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral” (or comparable term), as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement or any other Priority Lien Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Priority Lien Obligation.
“Priority Lien Debt” means the indebtedness under the Priority Credit Agreement (including letters of credit and reimbursement obligations with respect thereto) (with outstanding letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the stated amount thereof) and additional indebtedness under any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.  
“Priority Lien Documents” means the Priority Credit Agreement, the Priority Lien Security Documents, the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Priority Credit Agreement) and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing, or executed or delivered in connection with, any Priority Substitute Credit Facility.
“Priority Lien Obligations” means the Priority Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of or in connection with Priority Lien Debt together with Hedging Obligations and the Bank Product Obligations, in each case to the extent that such Obligations are secured by Priority Liens.  For the avoidance of doubt, Hedging Obligations shall only constitute Priority Lien Obligations to the extent that such Hedging Obligations are secured under the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement and Priority Lien Security Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Priority Lien Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs, and other charges incurred under the Priority Credit Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, and whether or not allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  To the extent that any payment with respect to the Priority Lien Obligations (whether by or on behalf of SM Energy, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off, or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect, set aside, or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, trustee, receiver, or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied will be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
“Priority Lien Secured Parties” means, at any time, the Priority Lien Agent, each lender or issuing bank under the Priority Credit Agreement, each holder, provider or obligee of any Hedging Obligations and Bank Product Obligations that is a lender under the Priority Credit Agreement or an Affiliate (as defined herein or in the Priority Credit Agreement) thereof and is a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Priority Lien Document, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Priority Lien Document, each other Person that provides letters of credit, guarantees or other credit support related thereto under any Priority Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Priority Lien Obligations (including pursuant to a 
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Priority Substitute Credit Facility), in each case to the extent designated as a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Priority Lien Document outstanding at such time.
“Priority Lien Security Documents” means the Priority Credit Agreement (insofar as the same grants a Lien on the Collateral), each agreement listed in Part A of Exhibit B hereto, and any other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, control agreements, or grants or transfers for security, now existing or entered into after the date hereof, executed and delivered by SM Energy or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Priority Lien Agent (including any such agreements, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments associated with any Priority Substitute Credit Facility).
“Priority Substitute Credit Facility” means any Credit Facility with respect to which the requirements contained in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement have been satisfied and that Replaces the Priority Credit Agreement then in existence.
“Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts, Capital Stock and contract rights.
“Replaces” means, (a) in respect of any agreement with reference to the Priority Credit Agreement or the Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Substitute Credit Facility, that such agreement refunds, refinances, amends and restates, or replaces the Priority Credit Agreement, the Priority Lien Obligations or such Priority Substitute Credit Facility in whole (in a transaction that is in compliance with Section 4.04(a)) and that all commitments thereunder are terminated, or, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Priority Credit Agreement, Priority Lien Obligations or such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, in part, (b) in respect of any agreement with reference to the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or any Second Lien Substitute Facility, that such indebtedness refunds, refinances, amends and restates or replaces the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or such Second Lien Substitute Facility in whole (in a transaction that is in compliance with Section 4.04(a)) and that all commitments thereunder are terminated, or, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Second Lien Documents, the Second Lien Obligations or such Second Lien Substitute Facility, in part and (c) in respect of any agreement with reference to the Third Lien Documents, the Third Lien Obligations or any Third Lien Substitute Facility, that such indebtedness refunds, refinances, amends and restates or replaces the Third Lien Documents, the Third Lien Obligations or such Third Lien Substitute Facility in whole (in a transaction that is in compliance with Section 4.04(a)) and that all commitments thereunder are terminated, or, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Third Lien Documents, the Third Lien Obligations, or such Third Lien Substitute Facility, in part.  “Replace,” “Replaced”, “Replacing” and “Replacement” shall have correlative meanings.
“Reserve Report” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Priority Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
“Second Lien” means a Lien granted by a Second Lien Document to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, at any time, upon any Collateral by any Grantor to secure Second Lien Obligations (including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Second Lien Substitute Facility).
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“Second Lien Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral” (or comparable term), as defined in any Second Lien Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Second Lien Obligations.
“Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement” means the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, among SM Energy, the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, the Second Lien Trustee, the other Second Lien Representatives from time to time party thereto and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, in accordance with each applicable Second Lien Document.
“Second Lien Collateral Trustee” means the Original Second Lien Collateral Trustee, and, from and after the date of execution and delivery of a Second Lien Substitute Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee or other representative of the lenders or other holders of the indebtedness and other obligations evidence thereunder or governed thereby, in each case, together with its successors in such capacity.
“Second Lien Debt” means the indebtedness under the Second Lien Indenture Notes issued on the date hereof and guarantees thereof and all additional indebtedness incurred under any Additional Second Lien Documents and all additional indebtedness in respect of Additional Notes and guarantees thereof, in each case, that was permitted to be incurred and secured in accordance with the Secured Debt Documents and with respect to which the requirements of Section 4.04(b) have been (or are deemed) satisfied, and all Indebtedness incurred under any Second Lien Substitute Facility.
“Second Lien Documents” means the Indenture Second Lien Documents and the Additional Second Lien Documents.
“Second Lien Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2020, among SM Energy, the Grantors party thereto from time to time, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Second Lien Trustee, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof (including any supplements executed in connection with the issuance of any Series of Second Lien Debt under the Second Lien Indenture) unless restricted by the terms of this Agreement, and any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement, document or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Second Lien Substitute Facility.
“Second Lien Indenture Notes” means (i) the 10.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 issued under the Second Lien Indenture on the date hereof, and (ii) any Additional Notes for which the requirements of Section 3.8 of the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement have been satisfied.
“Second Lien Obligations” means Second Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof.  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Second Lien Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs, and other charges incurred under the Second Lien Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and whether or not allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  To the extent that any payment with respect to the Second Lien Obligations (whether by or on behalf of SM Energy, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off, or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect, set aside, or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, trustee, receiver, or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied will be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.  
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“Second Lien Purchasers” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.06.
“Second Lien Representative” means (a) in the case of the Second Lien Indenture Notes, the Second Lien Trustee, and (b) in the case of any other Series of Second Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Second Lien Debt who (i) is appointed as a Second Lien Representative (for purposes related to the administration of the security documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Second Lien Debt, together with its successors in such capacity, and (ii) has become party to the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement by executing a joinder in the form required under the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement.
“Second Lien Secured Parties” means the Indenture Second Lien Secured Parties and the Additional Second Lien Secured Parties.
“Second Lien Security Documents” means the Indenture Second Lien Security Documents and the Additional Second Lien Security Documents.
“Second Lien Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02(a)(i).
“Second Lien Substitute Facility” means any facility with respect to which the requirements contained in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement have been satisfied and that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents, the proceeds of which are used to, among other things, Replace the Second Lien Indenture and/or any Additional Second Lien Debt Facility then in existence.  For the avoidance of doubt, no Second Lien Substitute Facility shall be required to be evidenced by notes or other instruments and may be a facility evidenced or governed by a credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument; provided that the Liens securing any such Second Lien Substitute Facility shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including the lien priority as set forth herein as of the date hereof) as the other Liens securing the Second Lien Obligations which are subject to the terms of this Agreement.
“Second Lien Trustee” means the Original Second Lien Trustee, and, from and after the date of execution and delivery of the Second Lien Substitute Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee or other representative of the lenders or other holders of the indebtedness and other obligations evidenced thereunder or governed thereby, together with its successors in such capacity.
“Secured Debt Documents” means the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents and the Third Lien Documents.
“Secured Debt Representative” means each of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee.
“Secured Obligations” means the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations and the Third Lien Obligations.
“Secured Parties” means the Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties.
“Security Documents” means the Priority Lien Security Documents, the Second Lien Security Documents and the Third Lien Security Documents.
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“Series of Second Lien Debt” means, severally, the Second Lien Indenture Notes and each other issue or series of Second Lien Debt (including any Additional Second Lien Debt Facility) for which a single transfer register is maintained.
“Series of Secured Debt” means the Priority Lien Debt, each Series of Second Lien Debt and each Series of Third Lien Debt.
“Series of Third Lien Debt” means, severally, the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility and each other issue or series of Third Lien Debt (including any Additional Third Lien Debt Facility) for which a single transfer register is maintained.
“SM Energy” has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble.
“Standstill Period” means the Second Lien Standstill Period, the Third Lien First Standstill Period and the Third Lien Second Standstill Period, as applicable.
 “subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any corporation, association, limited liability company or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or through another subsidiary, by that Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof), or (c) as to which such Person and its subsidiaries are entitled to receive more than 50% of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution.
 “Third Lien” means a Lien granted by a Third Lien Document to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, at any time, upon any Collateral by any Grantor to secure Third Lien Obligations (including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Third Lien Substitute Facility).
“Third Lien Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral” (or comparable term), as defined in any Third Lien Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Third Lien Obligations.
“Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement” means from and after the date of execution and delivery of the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility, a collateral trust agreement entered into among SM Energy, the other Grantors, the Third Lien Trustee, the other Third Lien Representatives and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, as amended, restated, adjusted, waived, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, in accordance with each applicable Third Lien Document.
“Third Lien Collateral Trustee” means from and after the date of execution and delivery of the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee or other representative of the lenders or other holders of the indebtedness and other obligations evidenced thereunder or governed thereby, in each case, together with its successors in such capacity.
“Third Lien Debt” means indebtedness under the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility and indebtedness incurred under any Additional Third Lien Documents and with respect to which the requirements of Section 4.04(c) have been satisfied, and all indebtedness incurred under any Third Lien Substitute Facility.
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“Third Lien Documents” means the Initial Third Lien Documents, the Additional Third Lien Documents and all other loan documents, notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements governing or evidencing any Third Lien Substitute Facility.
“Third Lien First Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02(a)(ii).
“Third Lien Obligations” means Third Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof.  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the term “Third Lien Obligations” will include accrued interest, fees, costs, and other charges incurred under the Third Lien Documents, whether incurred before or after commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  To the extent that any payment with respect to the Third Lien Obligations (whether by or on behalf of SM Energy, as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off, or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect, set aside, or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, trustee, receiver, or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied will be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.  
“Third Lien Representative” means (a) in the case of the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility, the Third Lien Trustee and (b) in the case of any other Series of Third Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Third Lien Debt who (i) is appointed as a Third Lien Representative (for purposes related to the administration of the security documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Third Lien Debt, together with its successors in such capacity, and (ii) has become party to the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement by executing a joinder in the form required under the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement.
“Third Lien Second Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.02(b).
“Third Lien Secured Parties” means the Initial Third Lien Secured Parties and the Additional Third Lien Secured Parties.
“Third Lien Security Documents” means the Initial Third Lien Security Documents and the Additional Third Lien Security Documents.
“Third Lien Substitute Facility” means any facility with respect to which the requirements contained in Section 4.04(a) of this Agreement have been satisfied and that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents and the Second Lien Documents, the proceeds of which are used to, among other things, Replace any Initial Third Lien Debt Facility and/or Additional Third Lien Debt Facility then in existence.  For the avoidance of doubt, no Third Lien Substitute Facility shall be required to be evidenced by notes or other instruments and may be a facility evidenced or governed by a credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or any other agreement or instrument; provided that the Liens securing any such Third Lien Substitute Facility shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including the lien priority as set forth herein as of the date hereof) as the other Liens securing the Third Lien Obligations which are subject to the terms of this Agreement.
“Third Lien Trustee” means, from and after the date of execution and delivery of the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility or Third Lien Substitute Facility, the agent, collateral agent, trustee or other representative of the lenders or other holders of the indebtedness and other obligations evidenced thereunder or governed thereby, together with its successors in such capacity.
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“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date hereof.
“Treasury Management Arrangement” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
ARTICLE II
LIEN PRIORITIES
Section 2.01 Relative Priorities.   (a) The grant of the Priority Liens pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents, the grant of the Second Liens pursuant to the Second Lien Documents and the grant of the Third Liens pursuant to the Third Lien Documents create three separate and distinct Liens on the Collateral.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents, the Third Lien Documents or any other agreement or instrument or operation of law to the contrary, or any other circumstance whatsoever and irrespective of (i) how a Lien was acquired (whether by grant, possession, statute, operation of law, subrogation, or otherwise), (ii) the time, manner, or order of the grant, attachment or perfection of a Lien, (iii) any conflicting provision of the New York UCC or other applicable law, (iv) any defect in, or non-perfection, setting aside, or avoidance of, a Lien or a Priority Lien Document, a Second Lien Document or a Third Lien Document, (v) the modification of a Priority Lien Obligation, a Second Lien Obligation or a Third Lien Obligation, or (vi) the subordination of a Lien on Collateral securing a Priority Lien Obligation to a Lien securing another obligation of SM Energy or other Person that is permitted under the Priority Lien Documents as in effect on the date hereof or securing a DIP Financing, each of the Priority Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of itself and the other Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of itself and the other Third Lien Secured Parties, hereby agrees that (i) any Priority Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Priority Lien Secured Party (subject to the Priority Lien Cap) shall be senior in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to (A) any and all Second Liens on any Collateral and (B) any and all Third Liens on any Collateral, (ii) any Second Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Second Lien Secured Party shall be (A) junior and subordinate in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all Priority Liens on any Collateral, in any case, subject to the Priority Lien Cap as provided herein and (B) senior in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all Third Liens on any Collateral and (iii) any Third Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Third Lien Secured Party shall be junior and subordinate in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to (A) any and all Priority Liens on any Collateral, in any case, subject to the Priority Lien Cap as provided herein and (B) any and all Second Liens on any Collateral.
(c)It is acknowledged that, subject to the Priority Lien Cap as provided herein, (i) the aggregate amount of the Priority Lien Obligations may be increased from time to time 
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pursuant to the terms of the Priority Lien Documents, (ii) a portion of the Priority Lien Obligations consists or may consist of indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, and (iii) (A) the Priority Lien Documents may be replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured or otherwise amended or modified from time to time and (B) the Priority Lien Obligations may be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, in the case of the foregoing (A) and (B) all without affecting the subordination of the Second Liens or Third Liens hereunder or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties.  The lien priorities provided for herein shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, modification, supplement, extension, increase, renewal, restatement or Replacement of either the Priority Lien Obligations (or any part thereof), the Second Lien Obligations (or any part thereof) or the Third Lien Obligations (or any part thereof), by the release of any Collateral or of any guarantees for any Priority Lien Obligations or by any action that any Secured Debt Representative or Secured Party may take or fail to take in respect of any Collateral.
Section 2.02 Prohibition on Marshalling, Etc.  (a) Until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will not assert any marshalling, appraisal, valuation, or other similar right that may otherwise be available to a junior secured creditor.
(b) Until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee will not assert any marshalling, appraisal, valuation, or other similar right that may otherwise be available to a junior secured creditor.
Section 2.03 No New Liens.  The parties hereto agree that, (a) so long as the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has not occurred, none of the Grantors shall, nor shall any Grantor permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure any Third Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure (A) the Priority Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens and (B) the Second Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee to accept such Lien will not prevent the Third Lien Collateral Trustee from taking the Lien, (ii) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure any Second Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure (A) the Priority Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens and (B) the Third Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Priority Lien Agent or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to accept such Lien will not prevent the Second Lien Collateral Trustee from taking the Lien or (iii) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure any Priority Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure (A) the Second Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens and (B) the Third Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to accept such Lien will not prevent the Priority Lien Agent from taking the Lien and (b) after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, none of the Grantors shall, nor shall any Grantor permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of such 
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Grantor or subsidiary to secure any Second Lien Obligation, or take any action to perfect any additional Liens, unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure the Third Lien Obligations; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to accept such Lien will not prevent the Second Lien Collateral Trustee from taking the Lien or (ii) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure any Third Lien Obligations unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants (or offers to grant), a Lien on such asset of such Grantor or subsidiary to secure the Second Lien Obligations and has taken all actions required to perfect such Liens; provided, however, the refusal or inability of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee to accept such Lien will not prevent the Third Lien Collateral Trustee from taking the Lien, with each such Lien as described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.03 to be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.  To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to the Priority Lien Agent, the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the other Second Lien Secured Parties, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, agrees that any amounts received by or distributed to any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.03 shall be subject to Section 3.05(b).
Section 2.04 Similar Collateral and Agreements.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that it is their intention that the Priority Lien Collateral, the Second Lien Collateral and the Third Lien Collateral be identical.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree (a) to cooperate in good faith in order to determine, upon any reasonable request by the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, the specific assets included in the Priority Lien Collateral, the Second Lien Collateral and the Third Lien Collateral, the steps taken to perfect the Priority Liens, the Second Liens and the Third Liens thereon and the identity of the respective parties obligated under the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents and the Third Lien Documents in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations and the Third Lien Obligations, respectively, (b) that the Second Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral shall be in all material respects the same forms of documents as the respective Priority Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral other than (i) with respect to the priority nature of the Liens created thereunder in such Collateral, (ii) such other modifications to such Second Lien Security Documents which are less restrictive than the corresponding Priority Lien Security Documents, (iii) provisions in the Second Lien Security Documents which are solely applicable to the rights and duties of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and/or the Second Lien Trustee, and (iv) with such deletions or modifications of representations, warranties and covenants as are customary with respect to security documents establishing Liens securing publicly traded debt securities, (c) that the Third Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral shall be in all material respects the same forms of documents as the respective Priority Lien Security Documents and Second Lien Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral other than (i) with respect to the priority nature of the Liens created thereunder in such Collateral, (ii) such other modifications to such Third Lien Security Documents which are less restrictive than the corresponding Priority Lien Security Documents and Second Lien Security Documents, (iii) provisions in the Third Lien Security Documents which are solely applicable to the rights and duties of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, and (iv) with such deletions or modifications of representations, warranties and covenants as are customary with respect to security documents establishing Liens securing publicly traded debt securities, (d) that at no time shall there be any Grantor that is an obligor in respect of the Second Lien Obligations that is not also an obligor in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations or vice versa and (e) that at no time shall there be any Grantor that is an obligor in respect of the Third Lien 
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Obligations that is not also an obligor in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations.
Section 2.05 No Duties of Priority Lien Agent.  Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have any duties or other obligations to any such Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party with respect to any Collateral, other than to transfer to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee any remaining Collateral and any proceeds of the sale or other Disposition of any such Collateral remaining in its possession following the associated Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, in each case without representation or warranty on the part of the Priority Lien Agent or any Priority Lien Secured Party.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each Second Lien Secured Party and Third Lien Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties following the expiration of any applicable Standstill Period), the Priority Lien Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise Dispose of or deal with such Collateral, as provided herein and in the Priority Lien Documents, without regard to (a) any Second Lien or any rights to which the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any Second Lien Secured Party would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Second Lien or (b) any Third Lien or any rights to which the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Third Lien.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Second Lien Secured Party and Third Lien Secured Party agrees that neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Collateral, or to sell, Dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Collateral, in any manner that would maximize the return to the Second Lien Secured Parties or the Third Lien Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Second Lien Secured Parties or the Third Lien Secured Parties, as applicable, from such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation.  Each of the Second Lien Secured Parties and Third Lien Secured Parties waives any claim such Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Parties take or omit to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Priority Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Priority Lien Obligations.
Section 2.06 No Duties of Second Lien Collateral Trustee.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, acknowledges and agrees that neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have any duties or other obligations to such Third Lien Secured Party with respect to any Collateral, other than to transfer to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee any remaining Collateral and any proceeds of the sale or other Disposition of any such Collateral remaining in its possession following the associated Discharge of Second Lien Obligations (provided such discharge of Second Lien Obligations occurs after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations), in each case without representation or warranty on the part of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any Second Lien Secured Party.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each Third Lien Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights 
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of the Third Lien Secured Parties following expiration of the Third Lien Second Standstill Period), the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise Dispose of or deal with such Collateral, as provided herein and in the Second Lien Documents, without regard to any Third Lien or any rights to which the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party would otherwise be entitled as a result of such Third Lien.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Third Lien Secured Party agrees that neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Collateral, or to sell, Dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Collateral, in any manner that would maximize the return to the Third Lien Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received by the Third Lien Secured Parties from such realization, sale, Disposition or liquidation.  Following the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties may, subject to any other agreements binding on the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or such other Third Lien Secured Parties, assert their rights under the New York UCC or otherwise to any proceeds remaining following a sale, Disposition or other liquidation of Collateral by, or on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties.  Each of the Third Lien Secured Parties waives any claim such Third Lien Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Second Lien Secured Parties take or omit to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Second Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Second Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Second Lien Obligations.
ARTICLE III
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS; PURCHASE OPTION
Section 3.01 Limitation on Enforcement Action.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that, subject to Section 3.05(b) and Section 4.07, none of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party shall commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Collateral under any Second Lien Security Document or Third Lien Security Document, as applicable, applicable law or otherwise (including but not limited to any right of setoff), it being agreed that only the Priority Lien Agent, acting in accordance with the applicable Priority Lien Documents, shall have the exclusive right (and whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced), to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies, in each case, without any consultation with or the consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party.  In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in their sole discretion and regardless of whether such exercise and enforcement is adverse to the interest of any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party.  Such exercise and 
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enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to Dispose of Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with any such Disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code, the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law and any other applicable laws.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Priority Lien Agent will have the exclusive right to deal with that portion of the Collateral consisting of deposit accounts and securities accounts and commodities accounts (collectively “Accounts”), including exercising rights under control agreements with respect to such Accounts.  Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Lien Security Document, any other Second Lien Document, any Third Lien Security Document or any other Third Lien Document, as applicable, shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Priority Lien Agent or the other Priority Lien Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral as set forth in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 3.05, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties, may, but will have no obligation to, take all such actions (not adverse to the Priority Liens or the rights of the Priority Lien Agent and the Priority Lien Secured Parties) it deems necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of the Second Liens in the Collateral or to create, preserve or protect (but not enforce) the Second Liens in the Collateral or to perfect or continue the perfection of the Third Liens in the Collateral or to create, preserve or protect (but not enforce) the Third Liens in the Collateral, as applicable.  Nothing herein shall limit the right or ability of the Second Lien Secured Parties or any Third Lien Secured Parties to (i) purchase (by credit bid or otherwise) all or any portion of the Collateral in connection with any enforcement of remedies by the Priority Lien Agent to the extent that, and so long as, the Priority Lien Secured Parties receive payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations after giving effect thereto or (ii) file a proof of claim with respect to the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations, as applicable.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that, subject to Section 3.05(b) and Section 4.07, neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party shall commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Collateral under any Third Lien Security Document, applicable law or otherwise (including but not limited to any right of setoff), it being agreed that only the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, acting in accordance with the applicable Second Lien Documents, shall have the exclusive right (and whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced), to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies, in each case, without any consultation with or the consent of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party.  In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Second Lien Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in their sole discretion and regardless of whether such exercise and enforcement is adverse to the interest of any Third Lien Secured Party.  Such exercise and enforcement following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to Dispose of Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with any such Disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code, the 
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Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law and any other applicable laws.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will have the exclusive right to deal with the Accounts, including exercising rights under control agreements with respect to such Accounts.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Third Lien Security Document or any other Third Lien Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the other Second Lien Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral as set forth in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 3.05, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee may, but will have no obligation to, on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties, take all such actions (not adverse to the Second Liens or the rights of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Second Lien Secured Parties) it deems necessary to perfect or continue the perfection of the Third Liens in the Collateral or to create, preserve or protect (but not enforce) the Third Liens in the Collateral.
Section 3.02 Standstill Periods; Permitted Enforcement Action.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and notwithstanding the foregoing Section 3.01, both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding:
(i) after a period of 180 days has elapsed (which period will be tolled during any period in which the Priority Lien Agent is not entitled, on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, to enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral as a result of (A) any injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the automatic stay or any other stay or prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) since the date on which the Second Lien Collateral Trustee has delivered to the Priority Lien Agent written notice of the acceleration of any Second Lien Debt (the “Second Lien Standstill Period”), the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties may enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral; provided, however that, notwithstanding the expiration of the Second Lien Standstill Period or anything in the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement or the Second Lien Documents to the contrary, in no event may the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, if the Priority Lien Agent on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties or any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have commenced, and shall be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof), the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral or any such action or proceeding (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the Second Lien Representatives by the Priority Lien Agent); provided, further, that, at any time after the expiration of the Second Lien Standstill Period, if neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall have commenced the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, then for so long as the Second Lien Collateral Trustee is diligently pursuing such rights or remedies, none of any Priority Lien Secured Party, the Priority Lien Agent, any Third Lien Secured Party or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall take any action of a similar 
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nature with respect to such Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding; and
(ii) after a period of 270 days has elapsed (which period will be tolled during any period in which the Priority Lien Agent is not entitled, on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, to enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral as a result of (A) any injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the automatic stay or any other stay or prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) since the date on which the Third Lien Collateral Trustee has delivered to the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Trustee written notice of the acceleration of any Third Lien Debt (the “Third Lien First Standstill Period”), the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties may enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral; provided, however, that notwithstanding the expiration of the Third Lien First Standstill Period or anything in the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement or the Third Lien Documents to the contrary, in no event may the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, if (I) the Priority Lien Agent on behalf of the Priority Lien Secured Parties or any other Priority Lien Secured Party or (II) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have commenced, and shall be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof), the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral or any such action or proceeding (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the Third Lien Representatives by the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable); provided, further, that, at any time after the expiration of the Third Lien First Standstill Period, if none of any Priority Lien Secured Party, the Priority Lien Agent, any Second Lien Secured Party or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have commenced the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, then for so long as the Third Lien Collateral Trustee is diligently pursuing such rights or remedies, none of any Priority Lien Secured Party, the Priority Lien Agent, any Second Lien Secured Party or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall take any action of a similar nature with respect to such Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations and notwithstanding the foregoing Section 3.01, both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, after a period of 180 days has elapsed (which period will be tolled during any period in which the Second Lien Collateral Trustee is not entitled, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, to enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral as a result of (A) any injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) since the date on which the Third Lien Collateral Trustee has delivered to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee written notice of the acceleration of any Third Lien Debt (the “Third Lien Second Standstill Period”), the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties may enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral; provided, however, that notwithstanding the expiration of the Third Lien Second Standstill Period or anything in the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement or the Third Lien Documents to the contrary, in no event may the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party enforce or exercise 
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any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, if the Second Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have commenced, and shall be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from, or modification of, the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof), the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral or any such action or proceeding (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the Third Lien Representatives by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee); provided, further, that, at any time after the expiration of the Third Lien Second Standstill Period, if neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have commenced the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding, then for so long as the Third Lien Collateral Trustee is diligently pursuing such rights or remedies, neither any Second Lien Secured Party nor the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall take any action of a similar nature with respect to such Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding.
Section 3.03 Insurance.   (a) Unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties following expiration of any applicable Standstill Period), the Priority Lien Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents, to adjust and settle claims in respect of Collateral under any insurance policy in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding (or any deed in lieu of condemnation) affecting the Collateral.  Unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents, all proceeds of any such policy and any such award (or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation) in respect of the Collateral shall be paid to the Priority Lien Agent pursuant to the terms of the Priority Lien Documents (including for purposes of cash collateralization of commitments, letters of credit and Hedging Obligations).  If, prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party shall, at any time, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment in contravention of the foregoing, it shall pay such proceeds over to the Priority Lien Agent.  In addition, if by virtue of being named as an additional insured or loss payee of any insurance policy of any Grantor covering any of the Collateral, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party shall have the right to adjust or settle any claim under any such insurance policy, then unless and until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any such Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and any such Third Lien Secured Party shall follow the instructions of the Priority Lien Agent, or of the Grantors under the Priority Lien Documents to the extent the Priority Lien Documents grant such Grantors the right to adjust or settle such claims, with respect to such adjustment or settlement (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties following expiration of any applicable Standstill Period).
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Third Lien Secured Parties following expiration of the Third Lien Second Standstill Period), the Second Lien 
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Collateral Trustee shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Second Lien Documents, to adjust and settle claims in respect of Collateral under any insurance policy in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding (or any deed in lieu of condemnation) affecting the Collateral.  Unless and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations has occurred, and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Second Lien Documents, all proceeds of any such policy and any such award (or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation) in respect of the Collateral shall be paid to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Second Lien Documents and, after the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations has occurred, to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to the extent required under the Third Lien Documents and then, to the extent no Third Lien Obligations are outstanding, to the owner of the subject property, to such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  If the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party shall, at any time following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment in contravention of the foregoing, it shall pay such proceeds over to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee.  In addition, if by virtue of being named as an additional insured or loss payee of any insurance policy of any Grantor covering any of the Collateral, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party shall have the right to adjust or settle any claim under any such insurance policy, then unless and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations has occurred, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and any such Third Lien Secured Party shall follow the instructions of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, or of the Grantors under the Second Lien Documents to the extent the Second Lien Documents grant such Grantors the right to adjust or settle such claims, with respect to such adjustment or settlement (subject to the terms of Section 3.02, including the rights of the Third Lien Secured Parties following expiration of the Third Lien Second Standstill Period).
Section 3.04 Notification of Release of Collateral.  Each of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall give the other Secured Debt Representatives prompt written notice of the Disposition by it of, and Release by it of the Lien on, any Collateral.  Such notice shall describe in reasonable detail the subject Collateral, the parties involved in such Disposition or Release, the place, time, manner and method thereof, and the consideration, if any, received therefor; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not in and of itself in any way impair the effectiveness of any such Disposition or Release.
Section 3.05 No Interference; Payment Over.
(a) No Interference.   (i) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that each Second Lien Secured Party (i) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Second Lien pari passu with, or to give such Second Lien Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any Priority Lien with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, (ii) will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Priority Lien Obligations or Priority Lien Document, or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Priority Lien, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by the provisions of this Agreement, (iii) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other Disposition of the Collateral by any Priority Lien Secured Party or the Priority Lien Agent acting on their behalf, (iv) shall have no right to (A) direct the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral or (B) consent to the exercise by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any 
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Collateral, (v) will not institute any suit or assert in any suit or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any claim against the Priority Lien Agent or other Priority Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Priority Lien Agent or other Priority Lien Secured Party with respect to any Priority Lien Collateral, (vi) will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other Disposition of such Collateral, (vii) will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement, (viii) will not object to forbearance by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party, and (ix) will not assert, and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may be available under applicable law with respect to the Collateral or any similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law; and
(ii) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that each Third Lien Secured Party (i) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Third Lien pari passu with, or to give such Third Lien Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any Priority Lien or Second Lien with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof, (ii) will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Priority Lien Obligations, Priority Lien Document, Second Lien Obligations or Second Lien Document, or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Priority Lien or Second Lien, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by the provisions of this Agreement, (iii) will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other Disposition of the Collateral by any Priority Lien Secured Party or the Priority Lien Agent acting on their behalf or by any Second Lien Secured Party or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee acting on their behalf, (iv) shall have no right to (A) direct the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral or (B) consent to the exercise by the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral, (v) will not institute any suit or assert in any suit or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any claim against the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and none of the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party with respect to any Priority Lien Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, (vi) will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other Disposition of such Collateral, (vii) will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement, (viii) will not object to forbearance by the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party and (ix) will not assert, and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may be available under applicable law with respect to the Collateral or any similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law.
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(b) Payment Over.   (i) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that if any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, shall obtain possession of any Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Collateral, pursuant to the exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral under any Second Lien Security Document or Third Lien Security Document, as applicable, or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, to the extent permitted hereunder, at any time prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations secured, or intended to be secured, by such Collateral, then it shall hold such Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties and transfer such Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Priority Lien Agent as promptly as practicable.  Furthermore, prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable, shall, at the Grantors’ expense, promptly send written notice to the Priority Lien Agent upon receipt of such Collateral, proceeds or payment by any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, and if directed by the Priority Lien Agent within five (5) days after receipt by the Priority Lien Agent of such written notice, shall deliver such Collateral, proceeds or payment to the Priority Lien Agent in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  The Priority Lien Agent is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable.  Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that if, at any time, it obtains written notice that all or part of any payment with respect to any Priority Lien Obligations previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever, it will reasonably promptly pay over to the Priority Lien Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its direct control in respect of any such Priority Lien Collateral and shall reasonably promptly turn any such Collateral then held by it over to the Priority Lien Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement will be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.  All Second Liens and all Third Liens will remain attached to and enforceable against all proceeds so held or remitted, subject to the priorities set forth in this Agreement.  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Section 3.05(b) shall not apply to any proceeds of Collateral realized in a transaction not prohibited by the Priority Lien Documents and as to which the possession or receipt thereof by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, is otherwise permitted by the Priority Lien Documents.
(ii) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that if any Third Lien Secured Party shall obtain possession of any Collateral or shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Collateral, pursuant to the exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral under any Third Lien Security Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, to the extent permitted hereunder, at any time following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations secured, or intended to be secured, by such Collateral, then it shall hold such Collateral, proceeds or payment in trust for the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties and transfer such Collateral, proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee reasonably as promptly as practical.  Furthermore, at any time following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall, at the Grantors’ expense, promptly send written notice to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee upon receipt of 
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such Collateral, proceeds or payment by any Third Lien Secured Party, and if directed by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee within five (5) days after receipt by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee of such written notice, shall deliver such Collateral, proceeds or payment to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  The Second Lien Collateral Trustee is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that if, at any time, it obtains written notice that all or part of any payment with respect to any Second Lien Obligations previously made shall be rescinded for any reason whatsoever, it will promptly pay over to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its direct control in respect of any such Second Lien Collateral and shall promptly turn any such Collateral then held by it over to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement will be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.  All Third Liens will remain attached to and enforceable against all proceeds so held or remitted, subject to the priorities set forth in this Agreement.  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Section 3.05(b) shall not apply to any proceeds of Collateral realized in a transaction not prohibited by the Second Lien Documents and as to which the possession or receipt thereof by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party is otherwise permitted by the Second Lien Documents.
Section 3.06 Purchase Option.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, on or at any time after (i) the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or (ii) the acceleration of the Priority Lien Obligations, each of the holders of the Second Lien Debt and each of their respective designated Affiliates (the “Second Lien Purchasers”) will have the right, at their sole option and election (but will not be obligated), at any time upon prior written notice to the Priority Lien Agent, to purchase from the Priority Lien Secured Parties all (but not less than all) (A) Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations and (B) if applicable, loans (including principal, unpaid interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing that are outstanding on the date of such purchase.  Promptly following the receipt of such notice, the Priority Lien Agent will deliver to the Second Lien Trustee a statement of the amount of Priority Lien Debt, other Priority Lien Obligations (other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations) and DIP Financing (including unpaid interest, fees and expenses and other obligations in respect of such DIP Financing, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, if any, then outstanding and the amount of the cash collateral requested by the Priority Lien Agent to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.06(b)(ii) below.  The right to purchase provided for in this Section 3.06 will expire unless, within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Second Lien Trustee of such notice from the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Trustee delivers to the Priority Lien Agent an irrevocable commitment of the Second Lien Purchasers to purchase all (but not less than all) of (A) the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations and (B) if applicable, loans (including principal, unpaid interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing and to otherwise complete such purchase on the terms set forth under this Section 3.06.
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(b) On the date specified by the Second Lien Trustee (on behalf of the Second Lien Purchasers) in such irrevocable commitment (which shall not be less than five Business Days nor more than 20 Business Days, after the receipt by the Priority Lien Agent of such irrevocable commitment), the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall sell to the Second Lien Purchasers all (but not less than all) (A) Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations and (B) any loans (including unpaid interest, fees and expenses and other obligations in respect of such DIP Financing, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing that are outstanding on the date of such sale, subject to any required approval of any Governmental Authority then in effect, if any, and only if on the date of such sale, the Priority Lien Agent receives the following:
(i) payment in cash, as the purchase price for all Priority Lien Obligations sold in such sale, of an amount equal to the full par value amount of all (A) Priority Lien Obligations (other than outstanding letters of credit as referred to in clause (ii) below) other than any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Excess Priority Lien Obligations and (B) if applicable, all loans (including principal, unpaid interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing then outstanding; provided that in the case of Hedging Obligations that constitute Priority Lien Obligations the Second Lien Purchasers shall cause the applicable agreements governing such Hedging Obligations to be assigned and novated or, if such agreements have been terminated, such purchase price shall include an amount equal to the sum of any unpaid amounts then due in respect of such Hedging Obligations, calculated using the market quotation method and after giving effect to any netting arrangements;
(ii) a cash collateral deposit in such amount as the Priority Lien Agent determines is reasonably necessary to secure the payment of any outstanding letters of credit constituting Priority Lien Obligations that may become due and payable after such sale (but not in any event in an amount greater than one hundred and two percent (102%) of the amount then reasonably estimated by the Priority Lien Agent to be the aggregate outstanding amount of such letters of credit at such time), which cash collateral shall be (A) held by the Priority Lien Agent as security solely to reimburse the issuers of such letters of credit that become due and payable after such sale and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such letters of credit and (B) returned to the Second Lien Trustee (except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or any order of any court or other Governmental Authority) promptly after the expiration or termination from time to time of all payment contingencies affecting such letters of credit; and
(iii) any agreements, documents or instruments that the Priority Lien Agent may reasonably request pursuant to which the Second Lien Trustee and the Second Lien Purchasers in such sale expressly assume and adopt all of the obligations of the Priority Lien Agent and the Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents and in connection with loans (including principal, unpaid interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing on and after the date of the purchase and sale and the Second Lien Trustee (or any other representative appointed by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Indenture Notes then outstanding) becomes a successor agent thereunder.
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(c) Such purchase of the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans (including principal, unpaid interest, fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, but excluding contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations for which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing shall be made on a pro rata basis among the Second Lien Purchasers giving notice to the Priority Lien Agent of their interest to exercise the purchase option hereunder according to each such Second Lien Purchaser’s portion of the Second Lien Debt outstanding on the date of purchase or such portion as such Second Lien Purchasers may otherwise agree among themselves.  Such purchase price and cash collateral shall be remitted by wire transfer in federal funds to such bank account of the Priority Lien Agent as the Priority Lien Agent may designate in writing to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for such purpose.  Interest shall be calculated to but excluding the Business Day on which such sale occurs if the amounts so paid by the Second Lien Purchasers to the bank account designated by the Priority Lien Agent are received in such bank account prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, and interest shall be calculated to and including such Business Day if the amounts so paid by the Second Lien Purchasers to the bank account designated by the Priority Lien Agent are received in such bank account later than 12:00 noon, New York City time.
(d) Such sale shall be expressly made without representation or warranty of any kind by the Priority Lien Secured Parties as to the Priority Lien Obligations, the Collateral or otherwise and without recourse to any Priority Lien Secured Party, except that the applicable Priority Lien Secured Party shall represent and warrant severally as to the Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing then owing to it: (i) that such applicable Priority Lien Secured Party own such Priority Lien Obligations (including unfunded commitments) and any loans provided by any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing; and (ii) that such applicable Priority Lien Secured Party has the necessary corporate or other governing authority to assign such interests.
(e) After such sale becomes effective, the outstanding letters of credit will remain enforceable against the issuers thereof and will remain secured by the Priority Liens upon the Collateral in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Priority Lien Documents as in effect at the time of such sale, and the issuers of letters of credit will remain entitled to the benefit of the Priority Liens upon the Collateral and sharing rights in the proceeds thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents as in effect at the time of such sale, as fully as if the sale of the Priority Lien Debt had not been made, but only the Person or successor agent to whom the Priority Liens are transferred in such sale will have the right to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce the Priority Liens and only the Second Lien Purchasers in the sale will have the right to direct such Person or successor as to matters relating to the foreclosure or other enforcement of the Priority Liens.
ARTICLE IV
OTHER AGREEMENTS
Section 4.01 Release of Liens; Automatic Release of Second Liens and Third Liens.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that, in the event the Priority Lien Agent or the requisite Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents release the Priority Lien on any Collateral, each of the Second Lien and Third Lien on such Collateral shall terminate and be released automatically and without further action if (i) such release is permitted under the Second Lien Documents and the Third Lien Documents, as applicable, (ii) such release is effected in connection with 
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the Priority Lien Agent’s foreclosure upon, or other exercise of rights or remedies with respect to, such Collateral, or (iii) such release is effected in connection with a sale or other Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Priority Lien Agent (acting at the direction of the requisite Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents) or the requisite Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents shall have consented to such sale or Disposition of such Collateral; provided that, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Second Liens and Third Liens on such Collateral shall attach to (and shall remain subject and subordinate to all Priority Liens securing Priority Lien Obligations, subject to the Priority Lien Cap and, in the case of the Third Liens, shall remain subject and subordinate to (I) all Priority Liens securing Priority Lien Obligations, subject to the Priority Lien Cap and (II) all Second Liens securing Second Lien Obligations) any proceeds of a sale, transfer or other Disposition of Collateral not paid to the Priority Lien Secured Parties or that remain after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that, in the event the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the requisite Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Documents release the Second Lien on any Collateral, the Third Lien on such Collateral shall terminate and be released automatically and without further action if (i) such release is permitted under the Third Lien Documents, (ii) such release is effected in connection with the Second Lien Collateral Trustee’s foreclosure upon, or other exercise of rights or remedies with respect to, such Collateral, or (iii) such release is effected in connection with a sale or other Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the requisite Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Documents shall have consented to such sale or Disposition of such Collateral; provided that, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Third Liens on such Collateral shall attach to (and shall remain subject and subordinate to all Second Liens securing Second Lien Obligations) any proceeds of a sale, transfer or other Disposition of Collateral not paid to the Second Lien Secured Parties or that remain after the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.
(c) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such releases and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable, to evidence and confirm any release of Collateral provided for in this Section 4.01.
Section 4.02 Certain Agreements With Respect to Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.   (a) The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against SM Energy or any subsidiary of SM Energy.  All references in this Agreement to SM Energy or any subsidiary of SM Energy or any other Grantor will include such Person or Persons as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Person or Persons in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  For the purposes of this Section 4.02, unless otherwise provided herein, clauses (b) through and including (o) shall be in full force and effect prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and clauses (p) through and including (cc) shall be in full force and effect following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.
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(b) If SM Energy or any of its subsidiaries shall become subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, or if any receiver or trustee for such Person or Persons shall, move for approval of financing (“DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither it nor any other Second Lien Secured Party and (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither it nor any other Third Lien Secured Party, will raise any objection, contest or oppose, and each Second Lien Secured Party and Third Lien Secured Party will waive any claim such Person may now or hereafter have, to any such financing or to the Liens on the Collateral securing the same (“DIP Financing Liens”), or to any use, sale or lease of cash collateral that constitutes Collateral or to any grant of administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, unless (A) the Priority Lien Agent or the Priority Lien Secured Parties oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or such use of cash collateral, (B) the maximum principal amount of indebtedness permitted under such DIP Financing exceeds the sum of (I) the amount of Priority Lien Obligations refinanced with the proceeds thereof (not including the amount of any Excess Priority Lien Obligations) and (II) the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 15% of the sum of (i) the Borrowing Base as in effect at such time and (ii) the amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency existing at such time, or (C) the terms of such DIP Financing provide for the sale of a substantial part of the Collateral or require the confirmation of a plan of reorganization or liquidation, as applicable, containing specific terms or provisions (other than repayment in cash of such DIP Financing on the effective date thereof).  To the extent such DIP Financing Liens are senior to, or rank pari passu with, the Priority Liens, (1) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, subordinate the Second Liens on the Collateral to the Priority Liens, to such DIP Financing Liens and to any customary carve-out in respect of professional fees and expenses and expenses of the U.S. trustee, in each case, in connection with such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, so long as the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, retains Liens on all the Collateral, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, with the same priority relative to the Priority Liens and the Third Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code and (2) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee will, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, subordinate the Third Liens on the Collateral to the Priority Liens, the Second Liens, to such DIP Financing Liens and to any customary carve-out in respect of professional fees and expenses and expenses of the U.S. trustee, in each case, in connection with such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, so long as the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties, retains Liens on all the Collateral, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, with the same priority relative to the Priority Liens and the Second Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code.
(c) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, without the consent of the Priority Lien Agent, in its sole discretion, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees not to propose, support or enter into any DIP Financing.
(d) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that it will not object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting) a sale or other Disposition, a motion to sell or Dispose or the bidding procedure for such sale or Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Priority Lien Agent 
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(acting at the direction of the requisite Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents) or the requisite Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents shall have consented to such sale or Disposition, such motion to sell or Dispose or such bidding procedure for such sale or Disposition of such Collateral and all Priority Liens, Second Liens and Third Liens will attach to the proceeds of the sale in the same respective priorities as set forth in this Agreement.
(e) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, waives any claim that may be had against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any DIP Financing Liens (that is granted in a manner that is consistent with this Agreement), request for adequate protection or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(f) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party, will file or prosecute in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any motion for adequate protection (or any comparable request for relief) based upon their interest in the Collateral, nor object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting)  any request by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party for adequate protection or  any objection by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Priority Lien Agent or Priority Lien Secured Parties claiming a lack of adequate protection, except that 
(A) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties may:
(I) freely seek and obtain relief granting adequate protection in the form of a replacement lien co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 2.01) to, and with the same relative priority to the Priority Liens and the Third Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, all Liens granted in the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to, or for the benefit of, the Priority Lien Secured Parties; and
(II) freely seek and obtain any relief upon a motion for adequate protection (or any comparable relief), without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations; and
(B) the Third Lien Secured Parties may:
(I) freely seek and obtain relief granting adequate protection in the form of a replacement lien co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 2.01) to, and with the same relative priority to the Priority Liens and the Second Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, all Liens granted in the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to, or for the benefit of, the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties; and
(II) freely seek and obtain any relief upon a motion for adequate protection (or any comparable relief), without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at 
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any time after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.
(g) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each of the other of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, waives any claim it or any such other Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, may now or hereafter have against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of any election by the Priority Lien Agent or any Priority Lien Secured Parties, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
(h) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party, shall support or vote to accept any plan of reorganization or liquidation, as applicable, or disclosure statement of SM Energy or any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries unless (i) such plan is accepted by the Class of Priority Lien Secured Parties in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise provides for the payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations (including all post-petition interest approved by the bankruptcy court, fees and expenses and cash collateralization of all letters of credit) on the effective date of such plan of reorganization or liquidation, as applicable, or (ii) such accepted plan provides on account of the Priority Lien Secured Parties for the retention by the Priority Lien Agent, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Priority Lien Obligations, and on all proceeds thereof whenever received, and such plan also provides that any Liens retained by, or granted to, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee are only on property securing the Priority Lien Obligations and shall have the same relative priority with respect to the Collateral or other property, respectively, as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral.  Except as provided herein, each of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties shall remain entitled to vote their claims in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
(i) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party, shall seek relief, pursuant to Section 362(d) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, from the automatic stay of Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or from any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent.
(j) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party, shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Priority Lien Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses or cash collateralization of all letters of credit to the extent of the value of the Priority Liens (it being understood that such value will be 
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determined without regard to the existence of the Second Liens or the Third Liens on the Collateral) subject to the Priority Lien Cap.  Neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Second Liens or the Third Liens, as applicable, on the Collateral; provided that if the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party shall have made any such claim, such claim (i) shall have been approved or (ii) will be approved contemporaneously with the approval of any such claim by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any Second Lien Secured Party or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable.
(k) Without the express written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, none of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be), in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding involving any Grantor, (i) oppose, object to or contest the determination of the extent of any Liens held by any Priority Lien Secured Party or the value of any claims of any such holder under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or (ii) oppose, object to or contest the payment to any Priority Lien Secured Party of interest, fees or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code subject to the Priority Lien Cap.
(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding a determination is made that any Lien encumbering any Collateral is not enforceable for any reason, then each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that, any distribution or recovery they may receive in respect of any Collateral shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the Priority Lien Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in the same form as received without recourse, representation or warranty (other than a representation of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable, that it has not otherwise sold, assigned, transferred or pledged any right, title or interest in and to such distribution or recovery) but with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby appoints the Priority Lien Agent, and any officer or agent of the Priority Lien Agent, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Second Lien Secured Party and Third Lien Secured Party for the limited purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 4.02(l) and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Priority Lien Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.02(l), which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
(m) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that the Priority Lien Agent shall have the exclusive right to credit bid the Priority Lien Obligations and further that none of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be) oppose, object to or contest such credit bid by the Priority Lien Agent.
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(n) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, without the consent of the Priority Lien Agent in its sole discretion, each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees it will not file or join an involuntary bankruptcy petition or claim or seek the appointment of an examiner or a trustee for SM Energy, any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries.
(o) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, waives any right to assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) or 552 of the Bankruptcy Code as against any Priority Lien Secured Party or any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.
(p) Subject to Section 4.02(c), if SM Energy, any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries shall become subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of DIP Financing to be provided by one or more DIP Lenders under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither it nor any other Third Lien Secured Party will raise any objection, contest or oppose, and each Third Lien Secured Party will waive any claim such Person may now or hereafter have, to any such financing or to the DIP Financing Liens on the Collateral securing the same, or to any use, sale or lease of cash collateral that constitutes Collateral or to any grant of administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, unless (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Second Lien Secured Parties oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or such use of cash collateral or (ii) the maximum principal amount of indebtedness permitted under such DIP Financing exceeds the sum of (A) the amount of Second Lien Obligations refinanced with the proceeds thereof and (B) $165.0 million.  To the extent such DIP Financing Liens are senior to, or rank pari passu with, the Second Liens, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee will, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, subordinate the Third Liens on the Collateral to the Second Liens, to such DIP Financing Liens and to any customary carve-out in respect of professional fees and expenses and expenses of the U.S. trustee, in each case, in connection with such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, so long as the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties, retains Liens on all the Collateral, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, with the same priority relative to the Priority Liens and the Second Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code.
(q) Without the consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee in its sole discretion, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees not to propose, support or enter into any DIP Financing.
(r) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that it will not object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting) a sale or other Disposition, a motion to sell or Dispose or the bidding procedure for such sale or Disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code if the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (acting at the direction of the requisite Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Documents) or the requisite Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Documents shall have consented to such sale or Disposition, such motion to sell or Dispose or such bidding procedure for such 
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sale or Disposition of such Collateral and all Second Liens and all Third Liens will attach to the proceeds of the sale in the same respective priorities as set forth in this Agreement.
(s) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, waives any claim that may be had against the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party arising out of any DIP Financing Liens (granted in a manner that is consistent with this Agreement) or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(t) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party will file or prosecute in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any motion for adequate protection (or any comparable request for relief) based upon their interest in the Collateral, nor object to, oppose or contest (or join with or support any third party objecting to, opposing or contesting)  any request by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party for adequate protection or  any objection by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or Second Lien Secured Parties claiming a lack of adequate protection, except that the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Secured Parties may:
(A) freely seek and obtain relief granting adequate protection in the form of a replacement lien co-extensive in all respects with, but subordinated (as set forth in Section 2.01) to, with the same relative priority to the Second Liens as existed prior to the commencement of the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, all Liens granted in the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to, or for the benefit of, the Second Lien Secured Parties; and
(B) freely seek and obtain any relief upon a motion for adequate protection (or any comparable relief), without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations.
(u) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each of the other of the Third Lien Secured Parties, waives any claim the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any such other Third Lien Secured Party may now or hereafter have against the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party (or their representatives) arising out of any election by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Parties, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
(v) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party shall support or vote for any plan of reorganization or liquidation, as applicable, or disclosure statement of SM Energy, any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries unless (i) such plan is accepted by the Class of Second Lien Secured Parties in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise provides for the payment in full in cash of all Second Lien Obligations (including all post-petition interest, fees and expenses) on the effective date of such plan of reorganization or liquidation, as applicable, or (ii) such accepted plan provides on account of the Second Lien Secured Parties for the retention by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Second Lien Obligations, and on all proceeds thereof whenever received, and such plan also provides that any Liens retained by, or granted to, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee are only on property securing the 
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Second Lien Obligations and shall have the same relative priority with respect to the Collateral or other property, respectively, as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral.  Except as provided herein, the Third Lien Secured Parties shall remain entitled to vote their claims in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
(w) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations has occurred, neither Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any Third Lien Secured Party shall seek relief, pursuant to Section 362(d) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, from the automatic stay of Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or from any other stay or prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee.
(x) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that neither Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Lien Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Second Liens (it being understood that such value will be determined without regard to the existence of the Third Liens on the Collateral).  Neither Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party for allowance or payment in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Third Lien Obligations consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Third Liens on the Collateral; provided that if the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party shall have made any such claim, such claim (i) shall have been approved or (ii) will be approved contemporaneously with the approval of any such claim by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party.
(y) Without the express written consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, neither Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be), in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding involving any Grantor, (i) oppose, object to or contest the determination of the extent of any Liens held by any Second Lien Secured Party or the value of any claims of any such holder under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or (ii) oppose, object to or contest the payment to any Second Lien Secured Party of interest, fees or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
(z) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding a determination is made that any Lien encumbering any Collateral is not enforceable for any reason, then the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that, any distribution or recovery they may receive in respect of any Collateral shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties in the same form as received without recourse, representation or warranty (other than a representation of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee that it has not otherwise sold, assigned, transferred or pledged any right, title or interest in and to such distribution or recovery) but with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby appoints the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, and any officer or agent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Third Lien Secured Party 
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for the limited purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 4.02(z) and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Second Lien Collateral Trustee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.02(z), which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
(aa) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall have the exclusive right to credit bid the Second Lien Obligations and further that neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party shall (or shall join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be) oppose, object to or contest such credit bid by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee.
(bb) After the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, without the consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee in its sole discretion, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees it will not file or join an involuntary bankruptcy petition or claim or seek the appointment of an examiner or a trustee for SM Energy, any other Grantor or any of their respective subsidiaries.
(cc) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, waives any right to assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) or 552 of the Bankruptcy Code as against any Second Lien Secured Party or any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.
Section 4.03 Reinstatement.  If any Priority Lien Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Grantor any amount (a “Recovery”) for any reason whatsoever, then the Priority Lien Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and the Priority Lien Secured Parties shall be entitled to a reinstatement of Priority Lien Obligations with respect to all such recovered amounts.  Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that if, at any time, a Second Lien Secured Party or a Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, receives notice of any Recovery, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, shall promptly pay over to the Priority Lien Agent any payment received by it and then in its possession or under its control in respect of any Collateral subject to any Priority Lien securing such Priority Lien Obligations and shall promptly turn any Collateral subject to any such Priority Lien then held by it over to the Priority Lien Agent, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made.  If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to any such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto from such date of reinstatement.  Any amounts received by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party and then in its possession or under its control on account of the Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, after the termination of this Agreement shall, in the event of a reinstatement of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.03, be held in trust for and paid over to the Priority Lien Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties for application to the reinstated Priority Lien Obligations until the discharge thereof.  This Section 4.03 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
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Section 4.04 Refinancings; Additional Second Lien Debt; Initial Third Lien Indebtedness; Additional Third Lien Debt.
(a) The Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations and the Third Lien Obligations may be Replaced, by any Priority Substitute Credit Facility, Second Lien Substitute Facility or Third Lien Substitute Facility, as the case may be, in each case, without notice to, or the consent of any Secured Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, that (i) the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall receive on or prior to incurrence of a Priority Substitute Credit Facility, Second Lien Substitute Facility or Third Lien Substitute Credit Facility (A) an Officer’s Certificate from SM Energy stating that (I) the incurrence thereof is permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be incurred and (II) the requirements of Section 4.06 have been satisfied, and (B) a Priority Confirmation Joinder from the holders or lenders of any indebtedness that Replaces the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations (or an authorized agent, trustee or other representative on their behalf), (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Priority Lien Obligations, after giving effect to such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, shall not exceed the Priority Lien Cap and (iii) on or before the date of such incurrence, such Priority Substitute Credit Facility, Second Lien Substitute Facility or Third Lien Substitute Facility is designated by SM Energy, in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, as “Priority Lien Debt”, “Second Lien Debt” or “Third Lien Debt”, as applicable, for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents and this Agreement; provided that no Series of Secured Debt may be designated as more than one of Priority Lien Debt, Second Lien Debt or Third Lien Debt.
(b) SM Energy will be permitted to designate as an additional holder of Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations hereunder each Person who is, or who becomes, the registered holder of Second Lien Debt or Third Lien Debt, as applicable, incurred by SM Energy after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of all applicable Secured Debt Documents.  SM Energy may effect such designation by delivering to the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, each of the following:
(i) an Officer’s Certificate stating that SM Energy intends to incur (A) Additional Second Lien Obligations which will be Second Lien Debt, (B) Initial Third Lien Obligations which will be Third Lien Debt or (C) Additional Third Lien Obligations which will be Third Lien Debt, which in each case, will be permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be incurred and secured by a Second Lien or Third Lien, as applicable, equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Second Lien Debt or Third Lien Debt, as applicable;
(ii) an authorized agent, trustee or other representative on behalf of the holders or lenders of any Additional Second Lien Obligations, Initial Third Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, must be designated as an additional holder of Secured Obligations hereunder and must, prior to such designation, sign and deliver on behalf of the holders or lenders of such Additional Second Lien Obligations, Initial Third Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, a Priority Confirmation Joinder, and, to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such transaction, a new intercreditor agreement substantially similar to this Agreement, as in effect on the date hereof; and
(iii) evidence that SM Energy has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded) in each appropriate governmental office all relevant 
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filings and recordations deemed necessary by SM Energy and the holder of such Additional Second Lien Obligations, Initial Third Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, or its Secured Debt Representative, to ensure that the Additional Second Lien Obligations, Initial Third Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations are secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Second Lien Security Documents or the Third Lien Security Documents, as applicable (provided that such filings and recordings may be authorized, executed and recorded following any incurrence on a post-closing basis if permitted by the Second Lien Representative or Third Lien Representative for such Additional Second Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations, as applicable).
For the avoidance of doubt, the deliveries set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 4.04(b) shall not be required (and shall be deemed satisfied) in connection with an issuance of Additional Notes constituting Second Lien Indenture Notes.
(c) SM Energy will be permitted to enter into an Initial Third Lien Debt Facility to the extent such Initial Third Lien Debt Facility is permitted by the Priority Credit Agreement, the other Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents.  Any Third Lien Debt incurred pursuant to such Initial Third Lien Debt Facility may be secured by a Third Lien under and pursuant to the Initial Third Lien Security Documents provided the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, acting for itself and on behalf of the Initial Third Lien Secured Parties, becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the immediately succeeding paragraph.
In order for the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to become a party to this Agreement,
(i) the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have executed and delivered a Priority Confirmation Joinder pursuant to which (a) such Third Lien Collateral Trustee becomes a Secured Debt Representative hereunder and (b) the Third Lien Debt and the related Initial Third Lien Secured Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;
(ii) SM Energy shall have delivered to the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (A) true and complete copies of each Initial Third Lien Document and (B) an Officer’s Certificate certifying such copies as being true and correct and identifying the obligations to be designated as Initial Third Lien Obligations and the initial aggregate principal amount thereof; and
(iii) without limiting Section 4.06, the Initial Third Lien Documents relating to such Third Lien Debt shall provide, in a manner satisfactory to the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, that each Initial Third Lien Secured Party shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Third Lien Debt.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow SM Energy or any other Grantor to incur additional indebtedness unless otherwise permitted by the terms of each applicable Secured Debt Document.
Each of the then-existing Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall be authorized to execute and deliver such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as such holders, lenders, agent, trustee or other representative may reasonably request to give effect to any such Replacement or any incurrence of Additional Notes, Additional Second Lien Obligations, Initial Third Lien Obligations or Additional Third Lien Obligations, it being understood that the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and 
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the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or (if permitted by the terms of the applicable Secured Debt Documents) the Grantors, without the consent of any other Secured Party or (in the case of the Grantors) one or more Secured Debt Representatives, may amend, supplement, modify or restate this Agreement to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such amendments or supplements to effect such Replacement or incurrence all at the expense of the Grantors.  Upon the consummation of such Replacement or incurrence and the execution and delivery of the documents and agreements contemplated in the preceding sentence, the holders or lenders of such indebtedness and any authorized agent, trustee or other representative thereof shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.
Section 4.05 Amendments to Second Lien Documents and Third Lien Documents.  
(a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, without the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, no Second Lien Document or Third Lien Document may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and/or refinanced or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement, restatement or modification and/or refinancing, or the terms of any new Second Lien Document or Third Lien Document, as applicable, would (i) adversely affect the lien priority rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties or the rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties to receive payments owing pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents, (ii) except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, add any Liens on any additional Property granted under the Second Lien Security Documents or the Third Lien Security Documents, unless such additional Property is added as Priority Lien Collateral under the Priority Lien Documents, (iii) confer any additional rights on the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party in a manner adverse to the Priority Lien Secured Parties, or (iv) contravene the provisions of this Agreement or the Priority Lien Documents.
(b) Prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, without the prior written consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, no Third Lien Document may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and/or refinanced or entered into to the extent such amendment, supplement, restatement or modification and/or refinancing, or the terms of any new Third Lien Document, as applicable, would (i) adversely affect the lien priority rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties or the rights of the Second Lien Secured Parties to receive payments owing pursuant to the Second Lien Documents, (ii) except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, add any Liens on any additional Property granted under the Third Lien Security Documents, unless such additional Property is added as Second Lien Collateral under the Second Lien Documents, (iii) confer any additional rights on the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party in a manner adverse to the Second Lien Secured Parties, or (iv) contravene the provisions of this Agreement or the Second Lien Documents.
Section 4.06 Legends.  Each of 
(a) the Priority Lien Agent acknowledges with respect to the Priority Credit Agreement and the Priority Lien Security Documents,
(b) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee acknowledges with respect to (i) the Second Lien Indenture and the Indenture Second Lien Security Documents, and (ii) the Additional Second Lien Debt Facility and the Additional Second Lien Security Documents, if any, and 
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(c) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee acknowledges with respect to (i) the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility and the Initial Third Lien Security Documents, if any, and (ii) the Additional Third Lien Debt Facility and the Additional Third Lien Security Documents, if any, that 
the Second Lien Indenture, the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility (if any), the Additional Second Lien Debt Facility (if any), the Additional Third Lien Debt Facility (if any), the Second Lien Documents (other than control agreements to which both the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee are parties), the Third Lien Documents (other than control agreements to which the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee are parties) and each associated Security Document (other than control agreements to which both the Priority Lien Agent and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee are parties or, in the case of Third Lien Security Documents, other than control agreements to which the Priority Lien Agent or the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as applicable, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee are parties) granting any security interest in the Collateral will contain the appropriate legend set forth on Annex I.
Section 4.07 Second Lien Secured Parties and Third Lien Secured Parties Rights as Unsecured Creditors; Judgment Lien Creditor.  Both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, any of the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties may take any actions and exercise any and all rights that would be available to a holder of unsecured claims; provided, however, that the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties may not take any of the actions prohibited by Section 3.05(a) or Section 4.02 or any other provisions in this Agreement; provided, further, that in the event that any of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any Second Lien Secured Parties, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Parties becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of any Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor with respect to the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations, as applicable, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the Priority Lien Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations, as applicable) as the Second Liens and Third Liens, as applicable, are subject to this Agreement.
Section 4.08 Postponement of Subrogation.   (a) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby agrees that no payment or distribution to any Priority Lien Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until, in the case of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the other Second Lien Secured Parties, the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, and in the case of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or the other Third Lien Secured Parties, the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and Discharge of Second Lien Obligations shall each have occurred.  Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, but subject to the reinstatement as provided in Section 4.03, each Priority Lien Secured Party will execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as any Second Lien Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the Priority Lien Obligations resulting from payments or distributions to such Priority Lien Secured Party by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by such Priority Lien Secured Party are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, agrees that no payment or distribution to any Second Lien Secured Party 
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pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle any Third Lien Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof.  Following the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, but subject to the reinstatement as provided in Section 4.03, each Second Lien Secured Party will execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as any Third Lien Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the Second Lien Obligations resulting from payments or distributions to such Second Lien Secured Party by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by such Second Lien Secured Party are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.
Section 4.09 Acknowledgment by the Secured Debt Representatives.  Each of the Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges that this Agreement is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each has relied on this Agreement to enter into the Priority Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Indenture and the Third Lien Indenture, as applicable, and all documentation related thereto, and that each will continue to rely on this Agreement in their related future dealings.
ARTICLE V
GRATUITOUS BAILMENT FOR PERFECTION OF CERTAIN SECURITY INTERESTS
Section 5.01 General.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Priority Lien on any Collateral that can be perfected by the possession or control of such Collateral or of any Account in which such Collateral is held, and if such Collateral or any such Account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Priority Lien Agent, the Priority Lien Agent will serve as gratuitous bailee for (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the sole purpose of perfecting the Second Lien of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee on such Collateral and (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the sole purpose of perfecting the Third Lien of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee on such Collateral.  It is agreed that the obligations of the Priority Lien Agent and the rights of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, the other Second Lien Secured Parties, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties in connection with any such bailment arrangement will be in all respects subject to the provisions of Article II.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Priority Lien Agent will be deemed to make no representation as to the adequacy of the steps taken by it to perfect the Second Lien or Third Lien on any such Collateral and shall have no responsibility, duty, obligation or liability to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party or any other Person for such perfection or failure to perfect, it being understood that the sole purpose of this Article is to enable the Second Lien Secured Parties to obtain a perfected Second Lien and the Third Lien Secured Parties to obtain a perfected Third Lien in such Collateral to the extent, if any, that such perfection results from the possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account by the Priority Lien Agent.  The Priority Lien Agent acting pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not have by reason of the Priority Lien Security Documents, the Second Lien Security Documents, the Third Lien Security Documents, this Agreement or any other document or theory, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party.  Subject to Section 4.03, from and after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent shall take all such actions in its power as shall reasonably be requested by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) to transfer possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account (in each case to the extent the Second Lien Collateral Trustee has a Lien on such Collateral or Account after giving effect to 
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any prior or concurrent releases of Liens) to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all Second Lien Secured Parties.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Second Lien on any Collateral that can be perfected by the possession or control of such Collateral or of any Account in which such Collateral is held, and if such Collateral or any such Account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will serve as gratuitous bailee for the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the sole purpose of perfecting the Third Lien of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee on such Collateral.  It is agreed that the obligations of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the rights of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties in connection with any such bailment arrangement will be in all respects subject to the provisions of Article II.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will be deemed to make no representation as to the adequacy of the steps taken by it to perfect the Third Lien on any such Collateral and shall have no responsibility, duty, obligation or liability to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party or any other Person for such perfection or failure to perfect, it being understood that the sole purpose of this Article is to enable the Third Lien Secured Parties to obtain a perfected Third Lien in such Collateral to the extent, if any, that such perfection results from the possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee.  The Second Lien Collateral Trustee acting pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not have by reason of the Second Lien Security Documents, the Third Lien Security Documents, this Agreement or any other document or theory, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any Third Lien Secured Party.  Subject to Section 4.03, from and after the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall take all such actions in its power as shall reasonably be requested by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) to transfer possession or control of such Collateral or any such Account (in each case to the extent the Third Lien Collateral Trustee has a Lien on such Collateral or Account after giving effect to any prior or concurrent releases of Liens) to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all Third Lien Secured Parties.
Section 5.02 Deposit Accounts.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, to the extent that any Account is under the control of the Priority Lien Agent at any time, the Priority Lien Agent will act as gratuitous bailee for (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the purpose of perfecting the Liens of the Second Lien Secured Parties and (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the purpose of perfecting the Liens of the Third Lien Secured Parties in such Accounts and the cash and other assets therein as provided in Section 3.01 (but will have no duty, responsibility or obligation to the Second Lien Secured Parties or the Third Lien Secured Parties (including, without limitation, any duty, responsibility or obligation as to the maintenance of such control, the effect of such arrangement or the establishment of such perfection) except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 5.02(a)).  Unless the Second Liens on such Collateral shall have been or concurrently are released, after the occurrence of the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Agent shall, at the request of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, cooperate with the Grantors and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (at the expense of the Grantors) in permitting control of any Accounts to be transferred (including by making such Accounts subject to new account control agreements) substantially concurrently with the occurrence of the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations (but, in any event, by no later than sixty (60) days after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations) to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee (or for other arrangements with respect to each such Accounts satisfactory to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee to be made).
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(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, to the extent that any Account is under the control of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee at any time, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee will act as gratuitous bailee for the Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the purpose of perfecting the Liens of the Third Lien Secured Parties in such Accounts and the cash and other assets therein as provided in Section 3.01 (but will have no duty, responsibility or obligation to the Third Lien Secured Parties (including, without limitation, any duty, responsibility or obligation as to the maintenance of such control, the effect of such arrangement or the establishment of such perfection) except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 5.02(b)).  Unless the Third Liens on such Collateral shall have been or concurrently are released, after the occurrence of Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall, at the request of the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, cooperate with the Grantors and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee (at the expense of the Grantors) in permitting control of any Accounts to be transferred (including by making such Accounts subject to new account control agreements) substantially concurrently with the occurrence of the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations (but, in any event, by no later than sixty (60) days after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations) to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee (or for other arrangements with respect to each such Accounts satisfactory to the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to be made).
ARTICLE VI
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS; DETERMINATION OF AMOUNTS
Section 6.01 Application of Proceeds.   (a) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Obligations, and regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced, Collateral or Proceeds received in connection with the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any portion of the Collateral will be applied:
(i) first, to the payment in full in cash of all Priority Lien Obligations that are not Excess Priority Lien Obligations,
(ii) second, to the payment in full in cash of all Second Lien Obligations,
(iii) third, to the payment in full in cash of all Third Lien Obligations,
(iv) fourth, to the payment in full in cash of all Excess Priority Lien Obligations, and
(v) fifth, to SM Energy or as otherwise required by applicable law.
(b) Following the Discharge of Priority Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, and regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced, Collateral or Proceeds received in connection with the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any portion of the Collateral will be applied:
(i) first, to the payment in full of all Second Lien Obligations,
(ii) second, to the payment in full of all Third Lien Obligations, and
(iii) third, to SM Energy or as otherwise required by applicable law.
Section 6.02 Determination of Amounts.  Whenever a Secured Debt Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations 
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hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Priority Lien Obligations, Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations (or the existence of any commitment to extend credit that would constitute Priority Lien Obligations, Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations), or the existence of any Lien securing any such obligations, or the Collateral subject to any such Lien, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by the other Secured Debt Representatives and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if a Secured Debt Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Secured Debt Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of SM Energy.  Each Secured Debt Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to SM Energy, any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries, any Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.
ARTICLE VII
NO RELIANCE; NO LIABILITY; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE;
CONSENT OF GRANTORS; ETC.
Section 7.01 No Reliance; Information.  The Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties shall have no duty to disclose to any Third Lien Secured Party, Second Lien Secured Party or to any Priority Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, any information relating to SM Energy or any of the other Grantors or any of their subsidiaries, or any other circumstance bearing upon the risk of non-payment of any of the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations, as the case may be, that is known or becomes known to any of them or any of their Affiliates.  In the event any Priority Lien Secured Party, any Second Lien Secured Party or any Third Lien Secured Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to, any Third Lien Secured Party, any Second Lien Secured Party or any Priority Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, it shall be under no obligation (a) to make, and shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of the information so provided, (b) to provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion or (c) to undertake any investigation.
Section 7.02 No Warranties or Liability.  
(a) The Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, (i) neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Second Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon and (ii) neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Third Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.
(b) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties 
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set forth in Article VIII, (i) neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Priority Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon and (ii) neither the Third Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Third Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Third Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.
(c) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, (i) neither the Priority Lien Agent nor any other Priority Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Priority Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon and (ii) neither the Second Lien Collateral Trustee nor any other Second Lien Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Second Lien Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.
(d) The Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, any other Second Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Secured Party, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have no express or implied duty to the Priority Lien Agent, any other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party, to act or refrain from acting in a manner which allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of a default or an event of default under any Priority Lien Document, any Second Lien Document and any Third Lien Document (other than, in each case, this Agreement), regardless of any knowledge thereof which they may have or be charged with.
(e) Each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby waives any claim that may be had against the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Priority Lien Agent or such Priority Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or only part of the Priority Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for such Priority Lien Obligations.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf each other Third Lien Secured Party, hereby waives any claim that may be had against the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party arising out of any actions which the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or such Second Lien Secured Party takes or omits to take following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations (including actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any Collateral, and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or 
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only part of the Second Lien Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with this Agreement and the Second Lien Documents or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for such Second Lien Obligations.
Section 7.03 Obligations Absolute.  The Lien priorities provided for herein and the respective rights, interests, agreements and obligations hereunder of the Priority Lien Agent and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Second Lien Secured Parties, and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee and the other Third Lien Secured Parties shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Secured Debt Document;
(b) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of (including the Replacing of), all or any portion of the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations, it being specifically acknowledged that, in the case of the Priority Lien Obligations, a portion of the Priority Lien Obligations consists or may consist of Indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed;
(c) any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of any Secured Debt Document;
(d) the securing of any Priority Lien Obligations, Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations with any additional collateral or guarantees, or any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non-perfection of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral or any release of any guarantee securing any Priority Lien Obligations, Second Lien Obligations or Third Lien Obligations;
(e) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of SM Energy or any other Grantor or any of their subsidiaries; or
(f) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, SM Energy or any other Grantor in respect of the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations.
Section 7.04 Grantors Consent.  Each Grantor hereby consents to the provisions of this Agreement and the intercreditor arrangements provided for herein and agrees that the obligations of the Grantors under the Secured Debt Documents will in no way be diminished or otherwise affected by such provisions or arrangements (except as expressly provided herein).
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 8.01 Representations and Warranties of Each Party.  Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as follows:
(a) Such party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
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(b) This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority of which the failure to obtain could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority or any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon such party which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) will not violate the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of such party.
Section 8.02 Representations and Warranties of Each Representative.  Each of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is authorized under the Priority Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement and the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement, as the case may be, to enter into this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01 Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Original Priority Lien Agent, to it at: 
1700 Lincoln, Sixth Floor, MAC C7300-061, 
Denver, Colorado 80202, 
Attention of Jonathan Herrick (Telecopy No. 303/863-6765), 

with a copy to:
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd - 1B1, Mailcode: MACD1109-019, 
Charlotte, NC 28262, 
Attention of Agency Services 
(Telecopy No. 704/590-2782) 

(b) if to the Original Second Lien Collateral Trustee, to it at: 
UMB Bank, N.A.
5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 870
Houston, Texas 77056
Telephone: 713-300-0586
Facsimile: 214-389-5949
Email: Shazia.Flores@umb.com
Attention: Shazia Flores
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(c) if to any other Secured Debt Representative, to such address as specified in the Priority Confirmation Joinder.
Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01. As agreed to in writing among SM Energy, the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.
Section 9.02 Waivers; Amendment.   (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 9.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Secured Debt Representative; provided, however, that this Agreement may be amended from time to time as provided in Section 4.04.  Any amendment of this Agreement that is proposed to be effected without the consent of a Secured Debt Representative as permitted by the proviso to the preceding sentence shall be submitted to such Secured Debt Representative for its review at least 5 Business Days prior to the proposed effectiveness of such amendment.
Section 9.03 Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance.   (a) (i) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, if any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, commences or participates in any action or proceeding against any Grantor or the Collateral, such Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, may interpose as a defense or dilatory plea the making of this Agreement, and any Priority Lien Secured Party may intervene and interpose such defense or plea in its or their name or in the name of such Grantor and (ii) following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, if any Third Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, commences or participates in any action or proceeding against any Grantor or the Collateral, such Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, may interpose as a defense or dilatory plea the making of this Agreement, and any Second Lien Secured Party may intervene and interpose such defense or plea in its or their name or in the name of such Grantor.
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(b) (i) Prior to the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations, should any Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to or threaten to take any action with respect to the Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or take any other action in violation of this Agreement or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party (in its own name or in the name of the relevant Grantor) or the relevant Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Priority Lien Agent, (A) may obtain relief against such Second Lien Secured Party or Third Lien Secured Party, as applicable, by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief, it being understood and agreed by each of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of each Second Lien Secured Party and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party that (I) the Priority Lien Secured Parties’ damages from its actions may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable, and (II) each Second Lien Secured Party and Third Lien Secured Party waives any defense that the Grantors and/or the Priority Lien Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages, and (B) shall be entitled to damages, as well as reimbursement for all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) following the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations but prior to the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, should any Third Lien Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to or threaten to take any action with respect to the Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or take any other action in violation of this Agreement or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Secured Party (in its own name or in the name of the relevant Grantor) or the relevant Grantor, with the prior written consent of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, (A) may obtain relief against such Third Lien Secured Party by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief, it being understood and agreed by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of each Third Lien Secured Party that (I) the Second Lien Secured Parties’ damages from its actions may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable, and (II) each Third Lien Secured Party waives any defense that the Grantors and/or the Second Lien Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages, and (B) shall be entitled to damages, as well as reimbursement for all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 9.04 Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement.
Section 9.05 Survival of Agreement.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
Section 9.06 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (e.g. .pdf) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 9.07 Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall 
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not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.  The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 9.08 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.   (a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES (BUT GIVING EFFECT TO SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATION LAW).
(b) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party hereto may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 9.08.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 9.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 9.10 Headings.  Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 9.11 Conflicts.  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Secured Debt Documents, the provisions of this 
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Agreement shall control; provided, however, that if any of the provisions of the Second Lien Security Documents or Third Lien Security Documents limit, qualify or conflict with the duties imposed by the provisions of the TIA (if any), in each case, to the extent that the TIA is applicable, the TIA shall control.
Section 9.12 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.  The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the distinct and separate relative rights of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Secured Parties and the Third Lien Secured Parties.  None of SM Energy, any other Grantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this Agreement (provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.04, or 4.05) is intended to or will amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Priority Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Indenture or the Third Lien Indenture, as applicable), and except as expressly provided in this Agreement neither SM Energy nor any other Grantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.04, or 4.05, Article VII and Article IX).  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of SM Energy or any other Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Obligations under the Secured Debt Documents as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Secured Debt Document, the Grantors shall not be required to act or refrain from acting pursuant to this Agreement, any Priority Lien Document, any Second Lien Document or any Third Lien Document with respect to any Collateral in any manner that would cause a default under any Priority Lien Document.
Section 9.13 Certain Terms Concerning the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee.   (a) The Second Lien Collateral Trustee is executing and delivering this Agreement solely in its capacity as such and pursuant to direction set forth in the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement; and in so doing, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall not be responsible for the terms or sufficiency of this Agreement for any purpose.  The Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall have no duties or obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement other than such duties and obligations as may be expressly set forth in this Agreement as duties and obligations on its part to be performed or observed.  In entering into this Agreement, or in taking (or forbearing from) any action under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall have and be protected by all of the rights, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under the Second Lien Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents (including without limitation Article 5 and Section 7.9 of the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement).
(b) The Third Lien Collateral Trustee is executing and delivering this Agreement solely in its capacity as such and pursuant to direction set forth in the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement; and in so doing, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall not be responsible for the terms or sufficiency of this Agreement for any purpose.  The Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have no duties or obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement other than such duties and obligations as may be expressly set forth in this Agreement as duties and obligations on its part to be performed or observed.  In entering into this Agreement, or in taking (or forbearing from) any action under or pursuant to the Agreement, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have and be protected by all of the rights, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under any Third Lien Indenture and the Third Lien Documents.
Section 9.14 Certain Terms Concerning the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee.  None of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have any liability or responsibility for the actions or omissions of any other Secured Party, or for any other Secured Party’s compliance with (or 
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failure to comply with) the terms of this Agreement.  None of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall have individual liability to any Person if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to any Secured Party (or SM Energy) any amounts in violation of the terms of this Agreement, so long as the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, as the case may be, is acting in good faith.  Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that each of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and the Third Lien Collateral Trustee is entering into this Agreement solely in its capacity under the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents and the Third Lien Documents, respectively, and not in its individual capacity.  (a) The Priority Lien Agent shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to (i) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party or (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Representative or any other Third Lien Secured Party; (b) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to (i) the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party or (ii) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Third Lien Representative or any other Third Lien Secured Party; and (c) the Third Lien Collateral Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to (i) the Priority Lien Agent or any other Priority Lien Secured Party or (ii) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or any other Second Lien Representative or any other Second Lien Secured Party.
Section 9.15 Authorization of Secured Agents.  By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Priority Lien Security Documents, each Priority Lien Secured Party authorizes the Priority Lien Agent to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith.  By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Second Lien Security Documents, each Second Lien Secured Party authorizes the Second Lien Collateral Trustee to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith.  By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Third Lien Security Documents, each Third Lien Secured Party authorizes the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith.
Section 9.16 Further Assurances.  Each of the Priority Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Priority Lien Secured Party, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Lien Secured Parties, the Third Lien Collateral Trustee, for itself and on behalf of the other Third Lien Secured Parties, and each Grantor party hereto, for itself and on behalf of its subsidiaries, agrees that it will execute, or will cause to be executed, any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, as may be required under any applicable law, or which the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee may reasonably request, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, including the relative Lien priorities provided for herein.
Section 9.17 Relationship of Secured Parties.  Nothing set forth herein shall create or evidence a joint venture, partnership or an agency or fiduciary relationship among the Secured Parties.  None of the Secured Parties nor any of their respective directors, officers, agents or employees shall be responsible to any other Secured Party or to any other Person for any Grantor’s solvency, financial condition or ability to repay the Priority Lien Obligations, the Second Lien Obligations or the Third Lien Obligations, or for statements of any Grantor, oral or written, or for the validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Priority Lien Documents, the Second Lien Documents or the Third Lien Documents, or any security interests granted by any Grantor to any Secured Party in connection therewith.  Each Secured Party has entered into its respective financing agreements with the Grantors based upon its own independent investigation, and none of the Priority Lien Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee or the Third Lien Collateral Trustee makes any warranty or representation to the other Secured Debt 
55

           

Representatives or the Secured Parties for which it acts as agent nor does it rely upon any representation of the other agents or the Secured Parties for which it acts as agent with respect to matters identified or referred to in this Agreement.
Section 9.18 Third Lien Provisions.  Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, until such time as the Third Lien Collateral Trustee has, pursuant to the terms hereof (including but not limited to Section 4.04(c)), entered into, and, for itself and on behalf of the Third Lien Secured Parties, agreed to be bound by the terms of, this Agreement and executed a Priority Joinder Confirmation, the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Third Lien Obligations (including, but not limited to, the definitions of “Additional Third Lien Debt Facility”, “Additional Third Lien Documents”, “Additional Third Lien Obligations”, “Additional Third Lien Secured Parties”, “Additional Third Lien Security Documents”, “Third Lien”, “Third Lien Collateral”, “Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement”, “Third Lien Collateral Trustee”, “Third Lien Debt”, “Third Lien Documents”, “Third Lien First Standstill Period”, “Third Lien Indenture”, “Third Lien Indenture Notes”, “Third Lien Obligations”, “Third Lien Representative”, “Third Lien Second Standstill Period”, “Third Lien Secured Parties”, “Third Lien Security Documents” and “Third Lien Substitute Facility” and provisions regarding priority, enforcement actions, Standstill Periods, release of Liens, Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings, reinstatement, amendments to Third Lien Documents and application of proceeds) shall not be operative.
[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
						
		WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Priority Lien Agent

		
		
		By: /s/ Jonathan Herrick                            

		Name: Jonathan Herrick
		Title: Director

Signature Page
Intercreditor Agreement – SM Energy Company

           

						
		UMB BANK, N.A.,
as Second Lien Collateral Trustee

		
		
		By: /s/ Shazia Flores

		Name: Shazia Flores
		Title: Vice President

Signature Page
Intercreditor Agreement – SM Energy Company

           

						
		ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN:
		
		SM ENERGY COMPANY
		
		
		By: /s/ David W. Copeland

		Name: David W. Copeland
		Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel 
and Corporate Secretary 

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

Signature Page
Intercreditor Agreement – SM Energy Company

           

ANNEX I
Provision for the Second Lien Indenture, any Additional Second Lien Debt Facility, the Second Lien Documents, the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility, any Additional Third Lien Debt Facility and the Third Lien Documents
Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, between WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and UMB BANK, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Trustee (as defined therein) ([as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time,] the “Intercreditor Agreement”).  Each holder of [any Additional Second Lien Obligations][Initial Third Lien Obligations][Additional Third Lien Obligations], by its acceptance of such [Additional Second Lien Obligations][Initial Third Lien Obligations][Additional Third Lien Obligations] i) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, ii) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and iii) authorizes and instructs the [Second/Third] Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of each [Second/Third] Lien Secured Party (as defined therein) to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as [Second/Third] Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of such [Second/Third] Lien Secured Parties.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the lenders under the Priority Credit Agreement to extend credit to SM Energy and such lenders are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.
Provision for all Priority Lien Security Documents, Indenture Second Lien Security Documents, any Additional Second Lien Security Documents, the Initial Third Lien Security Documents and the Additional Third Lien Security Documents that Grant a Security Interest in Collateral
Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, between WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and UMB BANK, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Trustee (as defined therein) ([as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time,] the “Intercreditor Agreement”).  Each Person that is secured hereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided hereby, [(i) consents (or is deemed to consent), to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement,]1 [(i)][(ii)] agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, [(ii)][(iii)] authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) the [Priority Lien Agent] [Second Lien Collateral Trustee] [Third Lien Collateral Trustee] on behalf of such Person to enter into, and perform under, the Intercreditor Agreement and [(iii)][(iv)] acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement was delivered, or made available, to such Person.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, this Agreement, the Liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent provided therein, the applicable Security Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.
_______________________________
1 This bracketed language would not apply to the Priority Lien Security Documents
Annex I - 1

           

EXHIBIT A
to Intercreditor Agreement
[FORM OF]
PRIORITY CONFIRMATION JOINDER
Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) between WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Priority Lien Agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein), and UMB BANK, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the Second Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein).
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.  This Priority Confirmation Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.04 [(a)][(b)][(c)] of the Intercreditor Agreement as a condition precedent to the debt for which the undersigned is acting as representative being entitled to the rights and obligations of being [Additional [Second/Third] Lien Obligations][Initial Third Lien Obligations] under the Intercreditor Agreement.
1.  Joinder.  The undersigned, [_______________], a [_______________], (the “New Representative”) as [trustee] [collateral trustee] [administrative agent] [collateral agent] under that certain [describe applicable indenture, credit agreement or other document governing the Additional Second Lien Obligations or [Initial/Additional] Third Lien Obligations] hereby:
(a) represents that the New Representative has been authorized to become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement on behalf of the [Priority Lien Secured Parties under a Priority Substitute Credit Facility] [Indenture Second Lien Secured Parties under the Second Lien Substitute Facility] [Additional Second Lien Secured Parties under the Additional Second Lien Debt Facility] [Initial Third Lien Secured Parties under the Initial Third Lien Debt Facility] [Additional Third Lien Secured Parties under the Additional Third Lien Debt Facility] as [a Priority Lien Agent under a Priority Substitute Credit Facility] [a Second Lien Collateral Trustee under a Second Lien Substitute Facility] [a Third Lien Collateral Trustee under a Third Lien Substitute Facility] [Secured Debt Representative] [Second Lien Representative] [Third Lien Representative] under the Intercreditor Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement as of the date thereof; and
(b) agrees that its address for receiving notices pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be as follows:
[Address];
2. Priority Confirmation.
[Option A: to be used if additional debt constitutes Priority Debt] The undersigned New Representative, on behalf of itself and each Priority Lien Secured Party for which the undersigned is acting as [Administrative Agent] hereby agrees, for the benefit of all Secured Parties and each future Secured Debt Representative, and as a condition to being treated as Priority Lien Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement, that the New Representative is bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens. [or]
Exhibit A - 1

           

[Option B: to be used if additional debt constitutes a Series of Second Lien Debt] The undersigned New Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Second Lien Debt [that constitutes a Second Lien Substitute Facility] for which the undersigned is acting as [Second Lien Representative][Second Lien Collateral Trustee] hereby agrees, for the benefit of all Secured Parties and each future Secured Debt Representative, and as a condition to being treated as Secured Debt under the Intercreditor Agreement, that:
(a) all Second Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Second Liens at any time granted by SM Energy or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Second Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting Collateral for such Series of Second Lien Debt, and that all such Second Liens will be enforceable by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee with respect to such Series of Second Lien Debt for the benefit of all Second Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably;
(b) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Second Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as [Second Lien Representative] are bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens, Second Liens and Third Liens and the order of application of proceeds from enforcement of Priority Liens, Second Liens and Third Liens; and
(c) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Second Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as [Second Lien Representative] appoints the Second Lien Collateral Trustee and consents to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the performance by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee of, and directs the Second Lien Collateral Trustee to perform, its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Collateral Trust Agreement, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. [or]
[Option C: to be used if additional debt constitutes a Series of Third Lien Debt] The undersigned New Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Third Lien Debt [that constitutes a Third Lien Substitute Facility] for which the undersigned is acting as [Third Lien Representative][Third Lien Collateral Trustee] hereby agrees, for the benefit of all Secured Parties and each future Secured Debt Representative, and as a condition to being treated as Secured Debt under the Intercreditor Agreement, that:
(a) all Third Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Third Liens at any time granted by SM Energy or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Third Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting Collateral for such Series of Third Lien Debt, and that all such Third Liens will be enforceable by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee with respect to such Series of Third Lien Debt for the benefit of all Third Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably;
(b) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Third Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as [Third Lien Representative] [Third Lien Collateral Trustee] are bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens, Second Liens and Third Liens and the order of application of proceeds from enforcement of Priority Liens, Second Liens and Third Liens; and
[(c) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Third Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as [Third Lien Representative] appoints the Third Lien 
Exhibit A - 2

           

Collateral Trustee and consents to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the performance by the Third Lien Collateral Trustee of, and directs the Third Lien Collateral Trustee to perform, its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Third Lien Collateral Trust Agreement, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.]2
3. Full Force and Effect of Intercreditor Agreement.  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
4. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions.  The provisions of Article IX of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Priority Confirmation Joinder.
5. Expenses.  SM Energy agrees to reimburse each Secured Debt Representative for its reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with this Priority Confirmation Joinder, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel.

______________________________________
2 Necessary only in the case of an incurrence of Additional Third Lien Obligations.
Exhibit A - 3

           

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Priority Confirmation Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of [______________, 20____].
						
		[insert name of New Representative]
		
		
		By: ______________

		Name: ______________

		Title: ______________

The Priority Lien Agent hereby acknowledges receipt of this Priority Confirmation Joinder [and agrees to act as Priority Lien Agent for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby]:
						
		
		as Priority Lien Agent
		
		By: ______________

		Name: ______________

		Title: ______________

The Second Lien Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Priority Confirmation Joinder [and agrees to act as Second Lien Collateral Trustee for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby]:
						
		
		as Second Lien Collateral Trustee
		
		By: ______________

		Name: ______________

		Title: ______________

[The Third Lien Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Priority Confirmation Joinder [and agrees to act as Third Lien Collateral Trustee for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby]:
						
		
		as Third Lien Collateral Trustee
		
		By: ______________

		Name: ______________

		Title: ______________

Exhibit A - 4

           

						
		Acknowledged and Agreed to by:
		
		SM ENERGY COMPANY, as Borrower

		
		
		By: ______________

		Name: ______________

		Title: ______________

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

Exhibit A - 5

           

EXHIBIT B
to Intercreditor Agreement
SECURITY DOCUMENTS
PART A.
List of Priority Lien Security Documents
1. Third Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of September 28, 2018 among SM Energy Company, each of the other Grantors party thereto, and the Priority Lien Agent as Administrative Agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
2. Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of September 28, 2018 among SM Energy Company, each of the other Grantors party thereto, and the Priority Lien Agent as Administrative Agent for the Priority Lien Secured Parties, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
3. Each mortgage and deed of trust entered into, executed and delivered by SM Energy Company or  any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Priority  Lien Agent, to secure the Priority Lien Obligations, except to the extent released by the Priority  Lien Agent in accordance with this Agreement and the Priority Lien Security Documents, as 
amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
4. Each UCC Financing Statement filed in connection with the documents listed in items 1 through 3 of this Part A.
PART B.
List of Indenture Second Lien Security Documents
1. Second Lien Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, by and among SM Energy Company, each of the other Grantors party thereto, and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as Collateral Trustee for the ratable benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein) as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
2. Second Lien Security Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, by and among SM Energy Company, each of the other Grantors party thereto, and the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, as Collateral Trustee for the ratable benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties (as defined therein), as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
3. Each mortgage and deed of trust entered into, executed and delivered by SM Energy Company or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, to secure the Second Lien Obligations, except to the extent released by the Second Lien Collateral Trustee in accordance with this Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Exhibit B - 1

           

4. Each UCC Financing Statement filed in connection with the documents listed in items 1 through 3 of this Part B.
PART C.
List of Initial Third Lien Security Documents
1. None as of the date hereof.
Exhibit B - 2Document

EXHIBIT 10.2

Execution Version

			
	

SECOND LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Between
SM ENERGY COMPANY, 
as Pledgor

and

UMB BANK, N.A., 
as Collateral Trustee

Effective as of June 17, 2020
Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2020, among, inter alios, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Priority Lien Agent (as defined therein), and UMB BANK, N.A., as Second Lien Collateral Trustee (as defined therein) (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”).  Each Parity Lien Secured Party that is secured hereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided hereby, (i) consents (or is deemed to consent), to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) the Second Lien Collateral Trustee on behalf of such Parity Lien Secured Party to enter into, and perform under, the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement was delivered, or made available, to such Parity Lien Secured Party.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, this Agreement, the Liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent provided therein, the applicable Security Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.
															
					

SECOND LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS SECOND LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is made effective as of June 17, 2020, by SM ENERGY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation with principal offices at 1775 Sherman Street, Suite 1200, Denver, Colorado 80203 (the “Pledgor”), in favor of UMB BANK, N.A., a national banking association with offices at 5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 870, Houston, Texas 77056, as Collateral Trustee (in such capacity, “Collateral Trustee”) for the benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties (as defined in the Indenture referred to below).
RECITALS
A. Pledgor and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), are entering into (i) that certain Indenture dated as of even date herewith (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), by and between Pledgor and the Trustee pursuant to which Pledgor will issue $446,675,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture and (ii) that certain Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of even date herewith (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”) by and among Pledgor, the Trustee, the other Parity Lien Representatives party thereto from time to time and Collateral Trustee.
B. The Indenture requires that Pledgor grant to Collateral Trustee for the ratable benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties a security interest in the Collateral (as defined herein) to secure the payment and performance in full when due of the Parity Lien Obligations.
C. To secure the Parity Lien Obligations, Pledgor has agreed to grant to Collateral Trustee for the ratable benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties, a security interest in, all right, title and interest of Pledgor in the Collateral.
NOW, THEREFORE, (i) to comply with the terms and conditions of the Indenture and (ii) for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Pledgor and Collateral Trustee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
SECURITY INTEREST
Section 1.01 Pledge.  Pledgor hereby pledges, assigns and grants to Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties, a security interest in and right of set-off against the assets referred to in Section 1.02 (the “Collateral”) to secure the prompt payment and performance of the Parity Lien Obligations and the performance by Pledgor of this Agreement.
Section 1.02 Collateral.  The Collateral consists of the following types or items of property which are now owned or hereafter acquired by Pledgor:
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(a) 100% of the Capital Stock owned or held of record or beneficially by Pledgor in each of its Subsidiaries (other than its Immaterial Subsidiaries) that is not an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary.
(b)  (i) 65% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock and (ii) 100% of the outstanding non-voting Capital Stock owned or held of record or beneficially by Pledgor in each of its Subsidiaries (other than its Immaterial Subsidiaries) that is an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary, in each case, to the extent the pledge of such Capital Stock will not result in adverse tax consequences to Pledgor.
(c) (i) The certificates or instruments, if any, representing such membership interests and such units, (ii) all dividends (cash, stock or otherwise), cash, instruments, rights to subscribe, purchase or sell and all other rights and property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such membership interests or such units, (iii) all replacements and substitutions for any of the property referred to in this Section 1.02, including, without limitation, claims against third parties, and (iv) the proceeds, interest, profits and other income of or on any of the property referred to in this Section 1.02.
It is expressly contemplated that additional securities or other property may from time to time be pledged, assigned or granted to Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties, as additional security for the Parity Lien Obligations, and the term “Collateral” as used herein shall be deemed for all purposes hereof to include all such additional membership interests, units and property, together with all other property of the types described above related thereto.
Section 1.03 Transfer of Collateral.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, all certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities shall be delivered to and held pursuant hereto by Collateral Trustee or a Person designated by Collateral Trustee and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, or (in the case of either certificated or uncertificated securities) Collateral Trustee shall have been provided with evidence that the Pledged Securities have been otherwise delivered to Collateral Trustee in accordance with Section 8.301 of the Code, all in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Trustee.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, at Collateral Trustee’s sole discretion, all Pledged Securities must be delivered or transferred in such manner as to permit Collateral Trustee to meet the requirements of Section 8.303(a)(3) of the Code to the extent of its security interest.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, Collateral Trustee shall have the right, at any time in its sole   discretion and without notice to Pledgor, to transfer to or to register in the name of Collateral Trustee or any of its nominees any or all of the Pledged Securities, subject only to the revocable rights specified in Section 4.02.  In addition, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, Collateral Trustee shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Securities for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations.
ARTICLE 2
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DEFINITIONS
Section 2.01  Terms Defined Above.  As used in this Agreement, the terms defined above shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them.
Section 2.02 Certain Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Act of Parity Lien Debtholders” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Trust Agreement.
“Code” means Articles 1 through 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.  
“Collateral Trust Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preliminary statements hereto.
“Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 6.01.
“Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the legend appearing on the cover page of this Agreement.
“Obligor” means any Person, other than Pledgor, liable (whether directly or indirectly, primarily or secondarily) for the payment or performance of any of the Parity Lien Obligations whether as maker, co-maker, endorser, guarantor, accommodation party, general partner or otherwise.
“Pledged Securities” means all of the securities and other property (whether or not the same constitutes a “security” under the Code) referred to in Sections 1.02(a), 1.02(b) or 1.02(c) and all additional securities, if any, constituting Collateral under this Agreement.
“Secured Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 of this Agreement.
Section 2.03 Capitalized and Uncapitalized Terms.  Unless otherwise defined herein, or the context hereof otherwise requires, each capitalized term defined in either the Indenture or the Code is used in this Agreement with the same meaning attributed thereto; provided, that, if the definition given to such term in the Indenture conflicts with the definition given to such term in the Code, the definition given to such term in the Indenture shall control to the extent legally allowable; and if any definition given to such term in Article 9 of the Code conflicts with the definition given to such term in any other article of the Code, the definition given to such term in Article 9 of the Code shall prevail.  Unless otherwise indicated by the context herein, all uncapitalized terms that are defined in the Code shall have the respective meanings given to them in Articles 8 and 9 of the Code.
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Section 2.04 Section References.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, all references herein to Sections are to Sections of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce Collateral Trustee to accept this Agreement, Pledgor represents and warrants to Collateral Trustee (which representations and warranties will survive the creation and payment of the Secured Obligations) that:
Section 3.01 Ownership of Collateral; Encumbrances.  Pledgor is the record and beneficial owner of the Collateral, which is, except as otherwise permitted by the Indenture or any other applicable Parity Lien Document, free and clear of any Lien, and Pledgor has full right, power and authority to pledge, assign and grant a security interest in the Collateral to Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties.
Section 3.02 No Required Consent.  No authorization, consent, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body (other than the filing of financing statements in favor of Collateral Trustee) is required for  the due execution, delivery and performance by Pledgor of this Agreement,  the grant by Pledgor of the security interest granted by this Agreement or  the perfection of such security interest.
Section 3.03 Pledged Securities.  The Pledged Securities have been duly authorized and validly issued, and, with respect to Pledged Securities issued by a corporation, are fully paid and non-assessable.
Section 3.04 Second Priority Security Interest.  The pledge of Pledged Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the delivery to Collateral Trustee of the certificates representing the Pledged Securities accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank and the filing of appropriate financing statements in the relevant locations create a valid and perfected second priority security interest in the Collateral (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and Liens expressly permitted under clauses (1), (7), (14), (17), (25), (30) and (32) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in the Indenture), enforceable against Pledgor and all third parties (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) and securing the payment of all Notes Obligations and all of the other Parity Lien Obligations of any Obligor (all such Notes Obligations and all such other Parity Lien Obligations, collectively, being the “Secured Obligations”).  Collateral Trustee acknowledges that pursuant to the Security Documents associated with the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, Pledgor is required to deliver to the Priority Lien Agent (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) any certificates representing the Pledged Securities, accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank, and that the Intercreditor Agreement governs the rights of Collateral Trustee with respect to such certificates and stock powers that have been so delivered to the Priority Lien Agent. 
ARTICLE 4
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COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Pledgor will at all times comply with the covenants and agreements contained in this Article 4, from the date hereof and for so long as any part of the Secured Obligations (other than any indemnity which is not yet due and payable) are outstanding.
Section 4.01 Sale, Disposition or Encumbrance of Collateral.  Except as permitted by the Indenture or by this Agreement, Pledgor will not in any way (a) encumber any of the Collateral, or (b) sell, pledge, assign, lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any of the Collateral to or in favor of any Person (other than Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Parity Lien Secured Parties).
Section 4.02 Voting Rights; Dividends or Distributions.  Until both (a) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) either (i) the Notes Obligations have become due and payable at the end of their stated maturity and have not been paid, (ii) the other Secured Obligations have become due at their stated maturity and have not been paid, (iii) the Notes Obligations have been declared due and payable pursuant to Article Seven of the Indenture, or (iv) Collateral Trustee has given notice to Pledgor of Collateral Trustee’s intent to exercise its rights under Section 6.02, and, in each case, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Trust Agreement:
(a) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting, management and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of the Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Parity Lien Documents.
(b) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain (free and clear of and no longer subject to this Agreement or the Lien created pursuant to this Agreement) any and all dividends, distributions and interest paid in respect of the Collateral; provided, however, that, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, any and all
(i) dividends and interest paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for (including, without limitation, any certificate, share or interest purchased or exchanged in connection with a tender offer or merger agreement), any Collateral,
(ii) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of any Collateral in connection with a partial or total liquidation, dissolution or reclassification, and
(iii) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for, any Collateral,
shall be, and shall be promptly delivered to Collateral Trustee to hold as, Collateral and shall, if received by Pledgor, be received in trust for the benefit of Collateral Trustee, be segregated from 
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the other property or funds of Pledgor, and be promptly delivered to Collateral Trustee as Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement), provided, further, however, that in no event shall the foregoing proviso be applicable to, or prevent Pledgor from receiving and retaining any securities that are not pledged or intended or required to be pledged to Collateral Trustee pursuant to any Security Document, including this Agreement.
Section 4.03 Records and Information.  Pledgor shall keep accurate and complete records of the Collateral (including proceeds, payments, distributions, income and profits).  Pledgor will promptly provide written notice to Collateral Trustee of all information which in any way affects (a) the filing of any financing statement or other public notices or recordings pertaining to the perfection of a security interest in the Collateral or (b) the delivery and possession of items of Collateral for the purpose of perfecting a security interest in the Collateral. 
Section 4.04 Certain Liabilities.  Pledgor hereby assumes all liability for the Collateral, the security interest created hereunder and any use, possession, maintenance, management, enforcement or collection of any or all of the Collateral.
Section 4.05 Further Assurances.  Upon the request of Collateral Trustee (including a request made at the direction of an Act of Parity Lien Debtholders pursuant to the Collateral Trust Agreement), subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, Pledgor shall (at Pledgor’s expense) execute (if applicable) and deliver all such assignments, certificates, instruments, securities, financing statements, notifications to financial intermediaries, clearing corporations, issuers of securities or other third parties or other documents and give further assurances and do all other acts and things as Collateral Trustee may reasonably request (including a request made at the direction of an Act of Parity Lien Debtholders pursuant to the Collateral Trust Agreement) to perfect Collateral Trustee’s interest in the Collateral or to protect, enforce or otherwise effect Collateral Trustee’s rights and remedies hereunder.
Section 4.06 Rights to Sell. Subject, in each case, to the Intercreditor Agreement, if Collateral Trustee shall determine to exercise its rights to sell all or any of the Collateral pursuant to its rights hereunder, Pledgor agrees that, upon request of Collateral Trustee (including a request made at the direction of an Act of Parity Lien Debtholders pursuant to the Collateral Trust Agreement), Pledgor will, at its own expense:
(a) execute and deliver, and use all reasonable efforts to cause each issuer of the Collateral contemplated to be sold and the directors and officers thereof to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts and things, as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of Collateral Trustee, advisable to register such Collateral under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended (the “Securities Act”), if such registration is, in the reasonable opinion of Collateral Trustee, necessary or advisable to effect a public distribution of the Collateral, and to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for such period as prospectuses are required by law to be furnished, and to make all amendments and supplements thereto and to the related prospectus which, in the reasonable opinion of Collateral Trustee, are necessary or 
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advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto;
(b) use all reasonable efforts to qualify the Collateral under the state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and to obtain all necessary governmental approvals for the sale of the Collateral, as requested by Collateral Trustee;
(c) use all reasonable efforts to cause each such issuer to make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act; and
(d) use all reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such others acts and things as may be necessary to make such sale of the Collateral or any part thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law.
Pledgor further acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the amount of damages which would be suffered by Collateral Trustee by reason of the failure by Pledgor to perform any of the covenants contained in this Section 4.06 and consequently agrees that if Pledgor shall fail to perform any of such covenants, it shall pay (to the extent permitted by law), as liquidated damages, and not as penalty, an amount (in no event to exceed the amount of Secured Obligations then outstanding) equal to the value of the Collateral affected by Pledgor’s failure to perform any of the covenants contained in this Section 4.06 on the date Collateral Trustee shall demand compliance with this Section 4.06.  Such amount is a reasonable approximation of the damages suffered by Collateral Trustee as a result of Pledgor’s failure to perform the covenants contained in this Section 4.06.
ARTICLE 5
RIGHTS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
The following rights, duties and powers of Collateral Trustee are applicable irrespective of whether an Event of Default occurs and is continuing:
Section 5.01 Discharge Encumbrances.  Collateral Trustee may, at its option, three (3) Business Days after receipt by Pledgor of prior written notice from Collateral Trustee of its intent to do so, discharge any Liens at any time levied or placed on the Collateral that are prohibited by the Indenture and that are not being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.  Pledgor agrees to reimburse Collateral Trustee within five (5) days after demand for any payment so made, plus interest thereon from the date of Collateral Trustee’s demand at the rate per annum equal to 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to the Notes at such time.
Section 5.02 Resignation or Removal of Collateral Trustee. Collateral Trustee may resign (or be removed) in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Collateral Trust Agreement, and shall be discharged of its rights, powers, duties and remedies in accordance with the Collateral Trust Agreement. Any successor Collateral Trustee appointed pursuant to the Collateral Trust 
        7

Agreement shall be entitled to all the rights, powers, duties and remedies of Collateral Trustee hereunder.
Section 5.03 Cumulative and Other Rights.  
(a)  The rights, powers and remedies of Collateral Trustee hereunder are in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given by law or in equity.  The exercise by Collateral Trustee of any one or more of the rights, powers and remedies herein shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights, powers and remedies, including, without limitation, any other rights of set-off.
(b) Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon written instructions given to it by an Act of Parity Lien Debtholders in requiring or requesting the performance of certain actions or the delivery of certain information to be delivered at the request of, or to the extent required by, Collateral Trustee hereunder.  Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon any written notice, statement, certificate, order or other document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person, and, with respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement and its duties hereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it.
(c) In addition to the rights of Collateral Trustee hereunder, Collateral Trustee shall have the rights, protections and immunities given to it as Collateral Trustee under the Indenture and the Collateral Trust Agreement, and such are incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandis.
(d) Collateral Trustee shall have no obligation to take any discretionary action hereunder, except pursuant to an Act of Parity Lien Debtholders.
Section 5.04 Disclaimer of Certain Duties.  The powers conferred upon Collateral Trustee by this Agreement are to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon Collateral Trustee to exercise any such powers.  Pledgor hereby agrees that Collateral Trustee shall not be liable for, nor shall the indebtedness evidenced by the Secured Obligations be diminished by, Collateral Trustee’s delay or failure to collect upon, foreclose, sell, take possession of or otherwise obtain value for the Collateral.
Section 5.05 Custody and Preservation of the Collateral.  Collateral Trustee shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which comparable secured parties accord comparable collateral, it being understood and agreed, however, that Collateral Trustee shall not have responsibility for  ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not Collateral Trustee has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or  taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against Persons or entities with respect to any Collateral.
ARTICLE 6
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
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Section 6.01 Events.  An “Event of Default” (as defined in the Indenture) which has occurred and is continuing shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement.
Section 6.02 Remedies.  Subject, in each case, to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Trust Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Collateral Trustee may take any or all of the following actions without notice or demand to Pledgor (except that Collateral Trustee will not take any action in the case of paragraphs (b) and (f) below until five (5) Business Days after receipt by Pledgor of written notice from Collateral Trustee of its intent to do so):
(a) Subject to applicable provisions contained in the Indenture, declare all or part of the Secured Obligations immediately due and payable and enforce payment of the same by Pledgor or any Obligor.
(b) Sell, in one or more sales and in one or more parcels, or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Collateral in any commercially reasonable manner as Collateral Trustee may elect, in a public or private transaction, at any location as deemed reasonable by Collateral Trustee either for cash or credit or for future delivery at such price as Collateral Trustee may reasonably deem fair, and (unless prohibited by the Code, as adopted in any applicable jurisdiction) Collateral Trustee may be the purchaser of any or all Collateral so sold and may apply upon the purchase price therefor any Secured Obligations secured hereby.  Any such sale or transfer by Collateral Trustee either to itself or to any other Person shall be absolutely free from any claim of right by Pledgor, including any equity or right of redemption, stay or appraisal which Pledgor has or may have under any rule of law, regulation or statute now existing or hereafter adopted.  Upon any such sale or transfer, Collateral Trustee shall have the right to deliver, assign and transfer to the purchaser or transferee thereof the Collateral so sold or transferred.  If Collateral Trustee reasonably deems it advisable to do so, it may restrict the bidders or purchasers of any such sale or transfer to Persons or entities who will represent and agree that they are purchasing the Collateral for their own account and not with the view to the distribution or resale of any of the Collateral. Collateral Trustee may, at its discretion, provide for a public sale, and any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as Collateral Trustee may fix in the notice of such sale. Collateral Trustee shall not be obligated to make any sale pursuant to any such notice. Collateral Trustee may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale by announcement at any time and place fixed for such sale, and such sale may be made at any time or place to which the same may be so adjourned.  In the event any sale or transfer hereunder is not completed or is defective in the opinion of Collateral Trustee, such sale or transfer shall not exhaust the rights of Collateral Trustee hereunder, and Collateral Trustee shall have the right to cause one or more subsequent sales or transfers to be made hereunder.  If only part of the Collateral is sold or transferred such that the Secured Obligations remain outstanding (in whole or in part), Collateral Trustee’s rights and remedies hereunder shall not be exhausted, waived or modified, and Collateral Trustee is specifically empowered to make one or more successive sales or transfers until all the Collateral shall be sold or transferred and all the 
        9

Secured Obligations are paid.  In the event that Collateral Trustee elects not to sell the Collateral, Collateral Trustee retains its rights to dispose of or utilize the Collateral or any part or parts thereof in any manner authorized or permitted by law or in equity, and to apply the proceeds of the same towards payment of the Secured Obligations.
(c) Apply proceeds of the disposition of the Collateral to the Secured Obligations in any manner elected by Collateral Trustee and permitted by the Code or otherwise permitted by law or in equity.  Such application may include, without limitation, the reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by Collateral Trustee.
(d) Appoint any Person as agent to perform any act or acts necessary or incident to any sale or transfer by Collateral Trustee of the Collateral.
(e) Receive, change the address for delivery, open and dispose of mail addressed to Pledgor, and to execute, assign and endorse negotiable and other instruments for the payment of money, documents of title or other evidences of payment, shipment or storage for any form of Collateral on behalf of and in the name of Pledgor.
(f) Exercise all other rights and remedies permitted by law or in equity.
Section 6.03 Attorney-in-Fact.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Collateral Trustee as Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time in Collateral Trustee’s discretion upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, but at Pledgor’s cost and expense, three (3) Business Days after receipt by Pledgor of written notice from Collateral Trustee of its intent to do so, to, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, take any action and to execute any assignment, certificate, financing statement, stock power, notification, document or instrument which Collateral Trustee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, to receive, endorse and collect all instruments made payable to Pledgor representing any dividend, interest payment or other distribution in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.
Section 6.04 Liability for Deficiency.  If any sale or other disposition of Collateral by Collateral Trustee in compliance with the Parity Lien Documents and applicable law or any other action of Collateral Trustee hereunder in compliance with the Parity Lien Documents and applicable law results in reduction of the Secured Obligations, such action will not release Pledgor from its liability to Collateral Trustee for any unpaid Secured Obligations, including (to the extent permitted by law) costs, charges and expenses incurred in the liquidation of Collateral, together with interest thereon until paid at the rate per annum equal to 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to the Notes at such time, and the same shall be immediately due and payable to Collateral Trustee at Collateral Trustee’s address set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.
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Section 6.05 Reasonable Notice.  If any applicable provision of any law requires Collateral Trustee to give reasonable notice of any sale or disposition or other action, Pledgor hereby agrees that ten (10) days’ prior written notice shall constitute reasonable notice thereof.  Such notice, in the case of public sale, shall state the time and place fixed for such sale and, in the case of private sale, the time after which such sale is to be made.
Section 6.06 Pledged Securities.  Subject, in each case, to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Trust Agreement, upon both (x) the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and (y) either (i) the Notes Obligations have become due and payable at the end of their stated maturity and have not been paid, (ii) the other Secured Obligations have become due at their stated maturity and have not been paid, (iii) the Notes Obligations have been declared due and payable pursuant to Article Seven of the Indenture, or (iv) Collateral Trustee has given notice to Pledgor of Collateral Trustee’s intent to exercise its rights under Section 6.02:
(a) All rights of Pledgor to receive the dividends and interest payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 4.02 shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in Collateral Trustee who shall thereupon have the sole right to receive and hold as Collateral such dividends and interest payments, but Collateral Trustee shall have no duty to receive and hold such dividends and interest payments and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.
(b) All dividends and interest payments which are received by Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 6.06 shall be received in trust for the benefit of Collateral Trustee, shall be segregated from other funds of Pledgor and shall be promptly paid over to Collateral Trustee as Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).
(c) Collateral Trustee may exercise any and all rights of conversion, exchange, subscription or any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to any of the Pledged Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof, including without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion, any and all of the Pledged Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of any issuer of such Pledged Securities or upon the exercise by any such issuer or Collateral Trustee of any right, privilege or option pertaining to any of the Pledged Securities and in connection therewith, to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Securities with any committee, depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but Collateral Trustee shall have no duty to exercise any of the aforesaid rights, privileges or options and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.
Section 6.07 Non-judicial Enforcement.  To the extent permitted by law, Collateral Trustee may enforce its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial hearing, and to the extent permitted by law Pledgor expressly waives any and all legal rights which might otherwise require Collateral Trustee to enforce its rights by judicial process.
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ARTICLE 7
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 7.01 Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail. So long as the Priority Lien Agent is acting as bailee and as agent for perfection on behalf of Collateral Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, any obligation of Pledgor in this Agreement that requires (or any representation or warranty hereunder to the extent that it would have the effect of requiring) delivery of Collateral to, or the possession or control of Collateral with, Collateral Trustee shall be deemed complied with and satisfied (or, in the case of any representation or warranty hereunder, shall be deemed to be true) if such delivery of Collateral is made to, or such possession or control of Collateral is with, the Priority Lien Agent. 
Section 7.02 Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be delivered in the manner provided in the Collateral Trust Agreement, in the case of Pledgor or Collateral Trustee, addressed to it at its address specified in Section 7.6 of the Collateral Trust Agreement; or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and other communications shall be effective when and as provided in the Collateral Trust Agreement. 
Section 7.03 Amendments and Waivers.  Collateral Trustee’s acceptance of partial or delinquent payments or any forbearance, failure or delay by Collateral Trustee in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not be deemed a waiver of any obligation of Pledgor or any Obligor, or of any right, power or remedy of Collateral Trustee; and no partial exercise of any right, power or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof.  Collateral Trustee may remedy any Event of Default hereunder or in connection with the Secured Obligations without waiving the Event of Default so remedied.  Pledgor hereby agrees that if Collateral Trustee agrees to a waiver of any provision hereunder, or an exchange of or release of the Collateral, or the addition or release of any Obligor or other Person, any such action shall not constitute a waiver of any of Collateral Trustee’s other rights or of Pledgor’s obligations hereunder.  This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed jointly by Pledgor and Collateral Trustee and may be supplemented only by documents delivered or to be delivered in accordance with the express terms hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement by facsimile, .pdf or any other electronic means of delivery shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
Section 7.04 Copy as Financing Statement.  A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement may be delivered by Pledgor or Collateral Trustee to any financial intermediary or other third party for the purpose of transferring or perfecting any or all of the Pledged Securities to Collateral Trustee or its designee or assignee.
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Section 7.05 Possession of Collateral.  Collateral Trustee shall be deemed to have possession of any Collateral in transit to it or set apart for it (or, in either case, any of its agents, affiliates or correspondents).
Section 7.06 Redelivery of Collateral.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any sale or transfer of Collateral by Collateral Trustee results in full satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, and after such sale or transfer and discharge there remains a surplus of proceeds, Collateral Trustee will, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, deliver to Pledgor such excess proceeds in a commercially reasonable time; provided, however, that Collateral Trustee shall not have any liability for any interest, cost or expense in connection with any delay in delivering such proceeds to Pledgor.
Section 7.07 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.  The terms and provisions of Sections 7.13 and 7.14 of the Collateral Trust Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, with the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein, and the parties hereto agree to such terms. 
Section 7.08 Continuing Security Agreement.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 9.620 of the Code), no action taken or omission to act by Collateral Trustee hereunder, including, without limitation, any exercise of voting or consensual rights pursuant to Section 6.06 or any other action taken or inaction pursuant to Section 6.02, shall be deemed to constitute a retention of the Collateral in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations or otherwise to be in full satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, and the Secured Obligations shall remain in full force and effect, until Collateral Trustee shall have applied payments (including, without limitation, collections from Collateral) towards the Secured Obligations in the full amount then outstanding or until such subsequent time as is hereinafter provided in subsection (b) below.
(b) To the extent that any payments on the Secured Obligations or proceeds of the Collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent the Secured Obligations so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Collateral Trustee, and Collateral Trustee’s security interests, rights, powers and remedies hereunder shall continue in full force and effect.  In such event, this Agreement shall be automatically reinstated if it shall theretofore have been terminated pursuant to Section 7.09.
Section 7.09 Termination.  The grant of a security interest hereunder (and all of Collateral Trustee’s rights, powers and remedies in connection therewith) shall remain and continue in full force and effect until released in accordance with the Collateral Trust Agreement.  Upon the complete payment of the Secured Obligations (other than any indemnity which is not yet due and payable), Collateral Trustee, at the written request and expense of Pledgor, will release, reassign and transfer the Collateral to Pledgor and declare this Agreement to be of no 
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further force or effect.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 4.04 and Section 7.08(b) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Section 7.10 Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.  Each counterpart is deemed an original, but all such counterparts taken together constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement becomes effective upon the execution hereof by Pledgor and delivery of the same to Collateral Trustee, and it is not necessary for Collateral Trustee to execute any acceptance hereof or otherwise signify or express its acceptance hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile, .pdf or any other electronic means of delivery shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
Section 7.11 Limitation by Law.  All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provision of law, and all the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable mandatory provisions of law which may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable, in whole or in part, or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law.
Section 7.12 Interest.  It is the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly to usury laws applicable to Collateral Trustee or any other Parity Lien Secured Party.  Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious under applicable state or federal law, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Parity Lien Document, it is agreed as follows:   the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to Collateral Trustee or any other Parity Lien Secured Party that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received under the Secured Obligations, this Agreement or under any other Parity Lien Document or otherwise in connection with the Obligations shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law,  in the event that the maturity of the Secured Obligations is accelerated for any reason, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to Collateral Trustee or any other Parity Lien Secured Party may never include more than such maximum amount, and  excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement, any other Parity Lien Document or otherwise shall be cancelled automatically and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by Collateral Trustee on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by Collateral Trustee to Pledgor).  The right to accelerate the maturity of the Secured Obligations does not include the right to accelerate any interest which has not otherwise accrued on the date of such acceleration, and neither Collateral Trustee nor any other Parity Lien Secured Party intend to collect any unearned interest in the event of acceleration.  All sums paid or agreed to be paid to Collateral Trustee or any other Parity Lien Secured Party for the use, forbearance or detention of sums included in the initial Secured Obligations shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of the Secured Obligations 
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until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of the relevant Secured Obligations does not exceed the applicable usury ceiling, if any.
[Signatures begin on next page]
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PLEDGOR: SM ENERGY COMPANY

         By: /s/ David W. Copeland 
        Name: David W. Copeland
        Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
         

COLLATERAL TRUSTEE: UMB BANK, N.A., as Collateral Trustee

         By: /s/ Shazia Flores  
        Name:   Shazia Flores
        Title:  Vice President 

        [Signature Page to Pledge and Security Agreement]

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