Document:

Unassociated Document

 

Exhibit 10.24

 

CHEMTURA CORPORATION

 

2010 SHORT-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.           Purpose.  This annual incentive plan (the “Plan”) is applicable to those employees of Chemtura Corporation (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries who are executive officers of the Company (“Covered Employees”), including members of the Board of Directors who are such employees.  The Plan is designed to advance the interests of the Company by enabling the Company to attract, retain, and motivate Covered Employees, by focusing such Covered
Employees on pre-established, objective performance goals and by providing such Covered Employees with opportunities to earn financial rewards based on the achievement of such performance goals.

 

2.           Eligibility.  All Covered Employees shall be eligible to be selected to participate in this Plan.  The Committee shall select the Covered Employees who shall participate in this Plan in any year (each, a “Participant”) no later than 90 days after the commencement of the fiscal year of the Company (or such earlier or later date as may be the applicable deadline for the establishment of performance goals permitting the compensation payable to such Participant under this Plan with respect to such year to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)) (as applicable, with respect to a Participant, the “Determination Date”).  A Participant may be permitted to participate in any other annual incentive plan established by the Company.

 

3.           Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Organization, Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), or by another committee appointed by the Board (the Organization, Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board or such other committee, the “Committee”). The Committee shall be comprised exclusively of members of the Board who are “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3). The Committee shall have the authority, subject to the provisions herein: (a) to select Participants; (b) to establish and administer the performance goals and the award opportunities applicable to each Participant and certify whether the goals have been attained; (c) to construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; (d) to establish, amend, and waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and (e) to make all other determinations which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  Any determination by the Committee pursuant to the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all employees and Participants and anyone claiming under or through any of them.  Members of the Committee shall not be liable for any act or omission in their
capacities as such members, except for bad faith or gross negligence.

 

4.           Establishment of Performance Goals and Award Opportunities.  No later than the Determination Date for each year, the Committee shall establish in writing the method for computing the amount of compensation that will be payable under the Plan to each Participant in the Plan with respect to such year (i) if the performance goals established by the Committee for the applicable period with respect to such Participant are attained in whole or in part and, (ii) to the extent required by the Committee, if the Participant’s employment by the Company or a subsidiary continues without interruption during the year through the date the Participant’s award is paid pursuant
to Section 7 (or such earlier or later date specified by the Committee). Such method shall be stated in terms of an objective formula or standard that precludes discretion, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(2)(iii)(A), to increase the amount of the award that would otherwise be due upon attainment of the goals and may be different for each Participant.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, but subject to the terms of any enforceable employment agreement or other contract, the Committee may exercise negative discretion to reduce the amount of any bonus otherwise payable hereunder.

 

  

  

  

 

No later than the applicable Determination Date with respect to a performance period, the Committee shall establish in writing the performance goals for such period, which shall be based on any of the following performance criteria, either alone or in any combination, on either a consolidated or business unit or divisional level, and which shall include or exclude discontinued operations, acquisition expenses and restructuring expenses and/or other one-time or extraordinary items of income, revenue or expense as the Committee may determine: (i) earnings; (ii) net income; (iii) net income applicable to stock; (iv) revenue; (v) cash flow; (vi) return on assets; (vii) return on net assets; (viii) return on invested capital; (ix)
return on equity; (x) profitability; (xi) economic value added; (xii) operating margins or profit margins; (xiii) earnings or income before income taxes; (xiv) earnings or income before interest and income taxes; (xv) income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization; (xvi) total stockholder return; (xvii) book value; (xviii) expense management; (xix) capital structure and working capital; (xx) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue, gross profit, market penetration, geographic business expansion, cost targets or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (xxi) costs; (xxii) employee morale or productivity; (xxiii) customer satisfaction or loyalty; (xxiv) customer service; (xxv) compliance programs; and (xxvi) safety.  The foregoing criteria shall have any reasonable definitions that the Committee
may specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items: extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting changes; effects of currency fluctuations; effects of financing activities (e.g., effect on earnings per share of issuing convertible debt securities); expenses for restructuring, productivity initiatives or new business initiatives; non-operating items; effects of acquisitions and divestitures, including, but not limited to, purchase accounting, income and losses on discontinued operations and gains and losses on the sale of businesses; reorganization effects; fresh start accounting effects; and gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt. Any such performance criterion or combination of such criteria may apply to the Participant’s award opportunity in its entirety or to any designated portion or portions of the award opportunity, as the Committee may specify.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an
individual who becomes a Covered Employee after the applicable Determination Date may be selected as a Participant in the Plan.  In such event, the Committee may establish a performance period of less than one year for such Participant or permit the Participant to participate in an existing bonus program, in each case, to the extent permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

  

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5.           Maximum Award.  The maximum amount of compensation that may be paid under the Plan to any Participant for any year is $5,000,000.00.

 

6.           Attainment of Performance Goals Required.  Awards shall be paid under this Plan for any year solely on account of the attainment of the performance goals established by the Committee with respect to such year.  Awards may also be contingent upon the Participant remaining employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company during such year and through the date the Participant’s award is paid pursuant to Section 7 (or such earlier or later date specified by the Committee). In the event of termination of employment by reason of death or disability (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) during the Plan year or before a Participant’s
award with respect to a year is paid pursuant to Section 7, an award shall be payable under this Plan to the Participant or the Participant’s estate for such year, which shall be paid at the same time as the award the Participant would have received for such year had no termination of employment occurred and which shall be equal to the amount of such award multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of full or partial calendar months elapsed in such year prior to termination of employment and the denominator of which is the number twelve. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, a Participant whose employment terminates prior to the date the Participant’s award with respect to a year is paid pursuant to this Section (or such earlier or later date specified by the Committee) for any reason not excepted above shall not be entitled to any award under the Plan for that year.

 

7.           Shareholder Approval and Committee Certification Contingencies; Payment of Awards.  Payment of any awards under this Plan shall be contingent upon the affirmative vote of the shareholders of at least a majority of the votes cast (including abstentions) approving the Plan in a manner that complies with Section 162(m) of the Code (which may include approval by a court). Unless and until such approval is obtained, no award shall be paid or payable pursuant to this Plan. Payment of any award under this Plan shall also be contingent upon the Committee’s certifying, in accordance with applicable treasury regulations under Code Section 162(m) in writing that the performance
goals and any other material terms applicable to such award were in fact satisfied. Unless and until the Committee so certifies, such award shall not be paid or payable. Unless the Committee provides otherwise, (a) earned awards shall be paid promptly following such certification, and (b) such payment shall be made in cash or in awards granted under the Company’s 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (subject to any payroll tax withholding the Company may determine applies).  To the extent necessary for purposes of Code Section 162(m), this Plan shall be resubmitted to shareholders for their reapproval with respect to awards payable for the taxable years of the Company commencing on and after the 5-year anniversary of initial shareholder approval.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee prior to the commencement of the calendar year that includes the start of the applicable performance period, payment will be made not later than March 15 of the calendar year
immediately following the close of the applicable performance period.  The Committee, in its discretion, may provide that individuals may elect to defer payment of awards provided hereunder, in accordance with such procedures to be established by the Committee, in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, the regulations thereunder, and other applicable law.

 

8.           Amendment, Termination, and Term of Plan.  The Board of Directors may amend, modify or terminate this Plan at any time. The Plan will remain in effect until terminated by the Board.  Nothing in this Section 8 shall permit the Board of Directors to modify the terms of any enforceable employment agreement or other contract.

 

  

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9.           Interpretation and Construction.  Any provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) awards under this Plan are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e), and (b) any provision of the Plan that would prevent an award under the Plan from so qualifying shall be administered, interpreted and construed to carry out such intention and any provision that cannot be so administered, interpreted and construed shall to that extent be disregarded. No provision of the Plan, nor the selection of any eligible employee to participate in the Plan, shall constitute an employment agreement or affect the
duration of any Participant’s employment, which shall remain “employment at will” unless an employment agreement between the Company and the Participant provides otherwise. Both the Participant and the Company shall remain free to terminate employment at any time to the same extent as if the Plan had not been adopted.  To the extent required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, Awards granted under this Plan shall be subject to any policies adopted by the Company to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

 

10.           Governing Law.  The terms of this Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

11.           Waiver of a Jury Trial.  The Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally waive all right to trial by jury in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any award made hereunder, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any award made hereunder.

 

12.           Nontransferrability.  No right or interest of any Participant in the Plan shall be assignable or transferable except as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or subject to any lien, directly, by operation of law, or otherwise, including, but not limited to execution, levy, garnishment pledge and bankruptcy.

 

 

  

4Unassociated Document

CONFORMED COPY

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of June 29, 2010

among

ORION MARINE GROUP, INC.,

The Lenders From Time to Time Party Hereto

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC.,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Bookrunner

 

  

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	  	
Page

	  	  
	
ARTICLE I  Definitions

	
1

	
SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms

	
1

	
SECTION 1.02.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings

	
19

	
SECTION 1.03.  Terms Generally

	
19

	
SECTION 1.04.  Accounting Terms; GAAP

	
19

	
ARTICLE II  The Credits

	
20

	
SECTION 2.01.  Commitments

	
20

	
SECTION 2.02.  Loans and Borrowings.

	
20

	
SECTION 2.03.  Requests for Borrowings

	
21

	
SECTION 2.04.  Letters of Credit.

	
21

	
SECTION 2.05.  Funding of Borrowings.

	
25

	
SECTION 2.06.  Interest Elections.

	
26

	
SECTION 2.07.  Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments.

	
27

	
SECTION 2.08.  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

	
28

	
SECTION 2.09.  Intentionally Left Blank.

	
29

	
SECTION 2.10.  Prepayment of Loans.

	
29

	
SECTION 2.11.  Fees.

	
30

	
SECTION 2.12.  Interest.

	
31

	
SECTION 2.13.  Alternate Rate of Interest

	
32

	
SECTION 2.14.  Increased Costs.

	
32

	
SECTION 2.15.  Break Funding Payments

	
33

	
SECTION 2.16.  Taxes.

	
34

	
SECTION 2.17.  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

	
35

	
SECTION 2.18.  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

	
36

	
SECTION 2.19.  Swingline Loans.

	
37

	
SECTION 2.20.  Defaulting Lender

	
38

	
ARTICLE III  Representations and Warranties

	
40

	
SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers

	
40

	
SECTION 3.02.  Authorization; Enforceability

	
41

	
SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

	
41

	
SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition

	
41

	
SECTION 3.05.  Properties.

	
41

	
SECTION 3.06.  Litigation and Environmental Matters.

	
42

	
SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements

	
42

	
SECTION 3.08.  Investment Company Status

	
42

	
SECTION 3.09.  Taxes

	
42

	
SECTION 3.10.  ERISA

	
42

	
SECTION 3.11.  Disclosure

	
43

	
SECTION 3.12.  Subsidiaries

	
43

	
SECTION 3.13.  Insurance

	
43

	
SECTION 3.14.  Labor Matters

	
43

	
SECTION 3.15.  Solvency

	
43

	
SECTION 3.16.  Material Property Subject to Security Documents

	
44

	
SECTION 3.17.  Foreign Subsidiaries

	
44

	
ARTICLE IV  Conditions

	
44

	
SECTION 4.01.  Effective Date

	
44

	
SECTION 4.02.  Each Credit Event

	
46

 

  

i

  

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	  	
Page

	  	  
	
ARTICLE V  Affirmative Covenants

	
46

	
SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information

	
46

	
SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events

	
47

	
SECTION 5.03.  Information Regarding Borrower.

	
47

	
SECTION 5.04.  Existence; Conduct of Business

	
49

	
SECTION 5.05.  Payment of Obligations

	
49

	
SECTION 5.06.  Maintenance of Properties

	
49

	
SECTION 5.07.  Insurance

	
49

	
SECTION 5.08.  Casualty and Condemnation

	
49

	
SECTION 5.09.  Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights

	
49

	
SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Laws

	
49

	
SECTION 5.11.  Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit

	
50

	
SECTION 5.12.  Further Assurances

	
50

	
SECTION 5.13.  Financial Covenants

	
50

	
ARTICLE VI  Negative Covenants

	
51

	
SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities.

	
51

	
SECTION 6.02.  Liens

	
52

	
SECTION 6.03.  Fundamental Changes.

	
52

	
SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans, Advances and Guarantees

	
53

	
SECTION 6.05.  Asset Sales

	
53

	
SECTION 6.06.  Sale and Leaseback Transactions

	
54

	
SECTION 6.07.  Swap Agreements

	
54

	
SECTION 6.08.  Restricted Payments

	
54

	
SECTION 6.09.  Transactions with Affiliates

	
54

	
SECTION 6.10.  Restrictive Agreements

	
54

	
SECTION 6.11.  Amendment of Material Documents

	
55

	
SECTION 6.12.  Additional Subsidiaries

	
55

	
SECTION 6.13.  Property of Foreign Subsidiaries

	
55

	
SECTION 6.14.  Acquisitions

	
55

	
ARTICLE VII  Events of Default

	
56

	
ARTICLE VIII  The Administrative Agent

	
58

	
ARTICLE IX  Miscellaneous

	
60

	
SECTION 9.01.  Notices.

	
60

	
SECTION 9.02.  Waivers; Amendments.

	
61

	
SECTION 9.03.  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

	
62

	
SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.

	
63

	
SECTION 9.05.  Survival

	
66

	
SECTION 9.06.  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

	
67

	
SECTION 9.07.  Severability

	
67

	
SECTION 9.08.  Right of Setoff

	
67

	
SECTION 9.09.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

	
67

	
SECTION 9.10.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

	
68

	
SECTION 9.11.  Headings

	
68

	
SECTION 9.12.  Interest Rate Limitation

	
69

	
SECTION 9.13.  USA Patriot Act

	
69

  

ii

  

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	  	
Page

	  	  
	
SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS:

	  
	  	  
	
Exhibit A — Assignment and Assumption

	  
	
Exhibit B — Compliance Certificate

	  
	
Exhibit C-1 — Revolving Note

	  
	
Exhibit C-2 — Swingline Note

	  
	  	  
	
Schedule 1.01 – Existing Letters of Credit

	  
	
Schedule 2.01 — Commitments

	  
	
Schedule 3.12 — Subsidiaries

	  
	
Schedule 6.01 — Existing Indebtedness

	  
	
Schedule 6.02 — Existing Liens

	  
	
Schedule 6.04 — Existing Investments

	  

 

  

iii

  

CREDIT AGREEMENT

CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect from time to time, herein called this “Agreement”) dated as of June 29, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), among ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, the LENDERS party hereto, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“Accounts” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Uniform Commercial Code enacted in the State of Texas in force on the Effective Date.

 

“Acquired EBITDA” means, with respect to any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement, an adjustment to EBITDA which gives pro forma effect to such Acquisition assuming that such transaction had occurred on the first day of any applicable period for which EBITDA is to be calculated.  Determination of Acquired EBITDA shall be subject to approval by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the date of this Agreement, by which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or division thereof, whether through the purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage or voting power) of
the outstanding ownership interests of a partnership or limited liability company.

 

“Additional Collateral” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.03(b) hereof.

 

“Additional Collateral Event” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 5.03(b) hereof.

 

“Adjusted LIBOR” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBOR for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

 

  

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“Adjusted One Month LIBOR” means, with respect to an ABR Borrowing for any day, the sum of (i) 1.00% per annum plus (ii) the quotient of (a) the interest rate determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to the Page to be the rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day for dollar deposits with a maturity equal to one (1) month, multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate (expressed as a decimal) applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity equal to one (1) month.

 

“Administrative Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in that capacity.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate for that day in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted One Month LIBOR.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR for that day shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or Adjusted One Month LIBOR, respectively.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that in the case of Section 2.20 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender's Commitment.  If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

 

 

“Applicable Rate” means, for any day with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurodollar Loan or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread”, “Eurodollar Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date; but until June 30, 2010 the Eurodollar Spread shall be 1.75% and the ABR Spread shall be 0.75% and the Commitment Fee Rate shall be 0.25%:

 

  

2

  

 

	
Leverage Ratio

	
ABR

Spread

	
Eurodollar

Spread

	
Commitment

Fee Rate

	
Category 1:

greater than or equal

to 2.00 to 1.00

	
1.50

	
2.50

	
0.50

	
Category 2:

greater than or equal

to 1.00 to 1.00 but

less than 2.00 to 1.00

	
1.25

	
2.25

	
0.375

	
Category 3:

greater than or equal

to 0.50 to 1.00 but

less than 1.00 to 1.00

	
1.00

	
2.00

	
0.375

	
Category 4:

less than 0.50 to 1.00

	
0.75

	
1.75

	
0.25

For purposes of the foregoing, (i) the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower’s fiscal year based upon the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) or (b) and (ii) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; but the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 at any time that
an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing or at the request of the Required Lenders if the Borrower fails to timely deliver the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) or (b), during the period from the deadline for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are received.

 

“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

“Bond Obligations” means obligations and indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries arising in connection with (a) bid or payment and performance bonds or (b) insurance policies or other instruments insuring the performance by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of obligations under contracts to which such Persons are parties.

 

  

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“Bonded Receivables” means accounts receivable of Borrower and its Subsidiaries which arise from contracts in connection with which Borrower or such Subsidiary has obtained a bond or insurance policy insuring performance of such contract.

 

“Borrower” means ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Borrowing” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of  Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect and (b) a Swingline Loan.

 

“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are (or would be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, but excluding Acquisitions and expenditures for the restoration, repair or replacement of any fixed or capital asset which was destroyed or damaged, in whole or in part, to the extent financed by the proceeds of an insurance policy maintained by such Person.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Ceiling Rate” means, on any day, the maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted for that day by whichever of applicable federal or Texas (or any jurisdiction whose usury laws are deemed to apply to the Notes or any other Loan Documents despite the intention and desire of the parties to apply the usury laws of the State of Texas) laws permits the higher interest rate, stated as a rate per annum.  On each day, if any, that the Texas Finance Code establishes the Ceiling Rate, the Ceiling Rate shall be the “weekly ceiling” (as defined in the Texas Finance Code) for that day.  Administrative Agent may from time to time, as to current and future balances, implement any other ceiling under the Texas Finance

Code by notice to the Borrower, if and to the extent permitted by the Texas Finance Code.  Without notice to the Borrower or any other Person, the Ceiling Rate shall automatically fluctuate upward and downward as and in the amount by which such maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted by applicable law fluctuates.

 

  

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“Change in Control” means a change resulting when any Unrelated Person or any Unrelated Persons acting together which would constitute a Group together with any Affiliates or Related Persons thereof (in each case also constituting Unrelated Persons) shall at any time either (i) Beneficially Own more than 40% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of Borrower or (ii) succeed in having sufficient of its or their nominees elected to the Board of Directors of Borrower such that such nominees, when added to any existing directors remaining on the Board of Directors of Borrower after such election who are Affiliates or Related Persons of such Person or Group, shall constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
Borrower.  As used herein (a) “Beneficially Own” means “beneficially own” as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision thereto; provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to Beneficially Own securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; (b) “Group” means a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (c) “Unrelated Person” means at any time any Person other than Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower and other than any
trust for any employee benefit plan of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower; (d) “Related Person” of any Person shall mean any other Person owning (1) 12-1/2% or more of the outstanding common stock of such Person or (2) 12-1/2% or more of the Voting Stock of such Person; and (e) “Voting Stock” of any Person shall mean capital stock of such Person which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any binding request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.

 

“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans.

 

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

 

“Collateral” means any and all “Collateral”, as defined in any applicable Security Document.  The Collateral shall not include any Excluded Assets.

 

“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Commitments is $75,000,000.

 

  

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“Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution Agreement dated concurrently herewith by and among Borrower and the current Domestic Subsidiaries of Borrower, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented and restated—and joined in pursuant to a joinder agreement—from time to time.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Debt Service” means the sum of (i) Interest Expense and (ii) scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness for the applicable period, determined in each case on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender, as determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative

Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in
furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.

 

“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

  

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“EBITDA” means, without duplication, for any period the consolidated net earnings (excluding any extraordinary gains or losses) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries plus, to the extent deducted in calculating consolidated net income, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, Interest Expense, federal and state income tax expense, management fees plus Acquired EBITDA and minus, to the extent added in calculating consolidated net income, any non-cash items.

 

“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

 

“Environmental Liability” means any liability (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any other Loan Party directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, or any warrants, options or other rights to acquire such interests.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower or any other Loan Party, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of a failure to make the “minimum required contribution” (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA), or of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 431 of the Code or Section 304 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the
Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any notice, evidencing the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the
meaning of Title IV of ERISA and that is likely to result in the imposition of Withdrawal Liability upon Borrower or any other Loan Party.

 

  

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“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

“Excluded Assets” means (i) all leasehold estates with respect to office space used by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) motor vehicles and other property which is subject to certificates of title having an aggregate book value of not greater than $2,000,000, (iii) the outstanding Equity Interests in each Foreign Subsidiary which is owned directly by Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries in excess of 66% of issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary (or such greater percentage that would not reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax consequences), (iv) any property owned by any Foreign Subsidiary (unless a Lien on such property securing the Obligations would not reasonably be expected to
result in adverse tax consequences), (v) any real estate owned by Borrower or any of any of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof other than any such real estate located in the State of Texas, (vi) prior to October 1, 2010, the real property owned by King Fisher Marine Service LP, a Texas limited partnership, located at 159 Highway 318, port Lavaca, Texas (provided that such real property shall cease to be an “Excluded Asset” on October 1, 2010 and shall thereupon be subject to the provisions of Section 5.03(b) hereof regarding Additional Collateral), and (vii) any item of general intangibles that is now or hereafter held by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries but only to the extent that such item of general intangibles (or any agreement evidencing such item of general intangibles) contains a term, provision or other contractual obligation or is subject to a rule of law, statute or regulation that restricts,

prohibits, or requires a consent (that has not been obtained) of a Person (other than Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) to, the grant, creation, attachment or perfection of the security interest granted in the Security Documents, and any such restriction, prohibition and/or requirement of consent is effective and enforceable under applicable law and is not rendered ineffective by applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 9.406, 9.407, 9.408 or 9.409 of the UCC, and any successor provision thereto).

 

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income  by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee
pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.18(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.16(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a).

 

  

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"Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit listed on Schedule 1.01 attached hereto.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or Director of Accounting of the Borrower.

 

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any day, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the 12 months ending on such date minus the greater of (i) Maintenance Capital Expenditures for such period or (ii) $5,000,000 to (b) Fixed Charges for such 12-month period, determined in each case on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Fixed Charges” means (without duplication), for any period, (a) Debt Service for such period, plus (b) taxes paid in cash during such period plus (c) one-fifth of the aggregate outstanding amount (as of the date of calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio) of the aggregate principal amount of Loans.

 

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located.  For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

“Foreign Subsidiaries” means Subsidiaries of Borrower which are organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State of the United States or any political subdivision thereof.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

  

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“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other
obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

“Guarantors” means each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower now or hereafter existing (and such Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of which the execution of a Guaranty would not reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax consequences).

 

“Guaranty” means that certain Guaranty dated concurrently herewith executed by Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and any and all other guaranties now or hereafter executed in favor of the Administrative Agent relating to the Obligations hereunder and the other Loan Documents, as any of them may from time to time be amended, modified, restated or supplemented.

 

“Hazardous Materials”  means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current Accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

 

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

  

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“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.

 

“Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense accruing on Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, during such period (including interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations and amounts attributable to interest incurred under Swap Agreements), determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

 

“Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in

the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

“Inventory” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Uniform Commercial Code enacted in the State of Texas in force on the Effective Date.

 

“Issuing Bank” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.04(i); provided that, in respect of the Existing Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank means Amegy Bank, National Association.  The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

  

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“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.

 

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.  The Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute “Letters of Credit” hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

“Leverage Ratio” means, as of any day, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness as of such date to (b) EBITDA for the 12 months then ended, determined in each case on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

“LIBOR” means, for each Interest Period, the interest rate determined by the Administrative Agent by reference to Reuters Screen LIBOR01, formerly known as Page 3750 of the Moneyline Telerate Service (together with any successor or substitute, the "Service") or any successor or substitute page of the Service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of the Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market (the "Page"), to be the rate at
approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of the Interest Period for dollar deposits with a maturity equal to such Interest Period. If no LIBOR is available to the Administrative Agent, the applicable LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which the Administrative Agent offers to place U.S. dollar deposits having a maturity equal to such Interest Period with first-class banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of the LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding, absent manifest error, and may be computed using any reasonable averaging and attribution method.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Security Documents, the Notice of Entire Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, any subordination agreement relating to Subordinated Debt, all instruments, certificates and agreements now or hereafter executed or delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any of the foregoing or in connection with the obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any commitment regarding such obligations, and all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, increases and rearrangements of, and substitutions for, any of the foregoing.  The term “Loan Document” as used herein shall not include any Swap
Agreement or agreements governing Banking Services.

 

  

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“Loan Parties” means the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and shall also include each Guarantor.

 

“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Maintenance Capital Expenditures” means, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all Capital Expenditures related to extending the life of, or maintaining the working condition of, existing assets.  Maintenance Capital Expenditures does not include capital spending for new assets (so-called “growth capital expenditures”).

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under any Loan Document.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and any other Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that would be required to be paid if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

“Maturity Date” means June 30, 2013.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, leasehold mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property  to secure the Obligations.  Each Mortgage shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Mortgaged Property” means, initially, each parcel of real property and the improvements thereto owned by Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and includes each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant hereto.  The Mortgaged Property shall not include any Excluded Assets.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Net Worth” means, at any particular time, all amounts which, in conformity with GAAP, would be included as stockholders’ capital on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Net Worth shall be calculated on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Notes” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

 

  

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“Notice of Entire Agreement” means a notice of entire agreement executed by Borrower, each other Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated.

 

“Obligations” means, as at any date of determination thereof, the sum of the following:  (i) the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding hereunder, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of the LC Exposure, plus (iii) all other liabilities, obligations and indebtedness under any Loan Document of Borrower or any other Loan Party, plus (iv) any obligations of Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter arising) under any Swap Agreement entered into with any Lender (or an Affiliate of any Lender) or agreements governing Banking Services
entered into with any Lender (or an Affiliate of any Lender).

 

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

 

“Page” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the definition of “LIBOR”.

 

“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a)           Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;

 

(b)          carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;

 

(c)           pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

(d)          deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)           judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;

 

(f)           easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or other Loan Party;

 

  

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(g)          deposits with banks that are subject to the terms of any escrow agreement, established in accordance with the arms length negotiation of an Acquisition; and

 

(h)          with respect to the Vessels, Liens (i) for crew’s wages (1) for fifteen (15) days after the termination of a voyage, or (2) which shall then be contested in good faith by appropriate action promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor, (ii) for general average (1) which are unclaimed, (2) for fifteen (15) days after having been claimed, (3) which are covered by insurance, or (4) which shall then be contested in good faith by appropriate action promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor, (iii) for salvage, whether voluntary or contract, (1) which are unclaimed, (2) for fifteen (15) days after
having been claimed, (3) which are covered by insurance, or (4) which shall then be contested in good faith by appropriate action promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor, (iv) otherwise incident to the then current operations of the Vessels, for the wages of a stevedore when employed directly  by Borrower, or the operator, master or agent of any Vessel, (v) covered by insurance and any deductible applicable thereto, and (vi) for repairs or with respect to any changes made in any Vessel (1) which are unclaimed, (2) for fifteen (15) days after having been claimed, (3) which are covered by insurance, or (4) which shall then be contested in good faith by appropriate action promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor.

 

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a)          direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)          investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

(c)          investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

(d)          fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and

 

  

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(e)           money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

 

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“Prime Rate” means, on any day, the prime rate of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in effect for that day at the principal offices of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in Houston, Texas.  The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate or a favored rate, and Administrative Agent and each Lender disclaims any statement, representation or warranty to the contrary.  Administrative Agent, any Lender or Wells Fargo Bank, National Association may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

 

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

 

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

“Required Lenders” means at least two Lenders collectively having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least 66-2/3% of the sum of the total Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.

 

“Restricted Payment” means (i) any payment or prepayment of any Subordinated Debt or (ii) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party.   The term “Restricted Payments” as used herein shall include management fees paid to any Person

owning any Equity Interests in and to Borrower or any other Loan Party.

 

“Revolving Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

 

“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

  

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“Revolving Lender” means a Lender with a Commitment or, if the Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

 

“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.

 

“Security Agreements” means, collectively, (i) the Security Agreements dated as of the Effective Date executed between Borrower and each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (and such Foreign Subsidiaries as are Guarantors), respectively, and Administrative Agent and (ii) any and all security agreements hereafter executed in favor of Administrative Agent and securing all or any part of the Obligations, as any of them may from time to time be amended, modified, restated or supplemented.

 

“Security Documents” means, collectively, the Vessel Mortgages, the Mortgages, the Security Agreements and any and all other agreements, deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, security agreements, pledges, guaranties, assignments of production or proceeds of production, assignments of income, assignments of contract rights, assignments of partnership interest, assignments of royalty interests, assignments of performance, completion or surety bonds, standby agreements, subordination agreements, undertakings and other instruments and financing statements now or hereafter executed and delivered as security for the Obligations, as any of them may from time to time be amended, modified, restated or supplemented.

 

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board).  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency fundings and to be
subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

“Subordinated Debt” means all Indebtedness of a Person which has been subordinated on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Required Lenders, in their sole discretion, to all of the Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter incurred.  Indebtedness shall not be considered as “Subordinated Debt” unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the documentation evidencing or relating to such Indebtedness together with a subordination agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders, duly executed by the holder or holders of such Indebtedness and evidencing the terms and conditions of the required subordination.

 

“Subordinated Debt Documents” means any indenture or note under which any Subordinated Debt is issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing any Subordinated Debt or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

 

  

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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned,
Controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent.

 

“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement 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 or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total  Swingline Exposure at such time.  The initial maximum amount of Swingline Exposure is $5,000,000.

 

“Swingline Lender” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

 

“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.19.

 

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

“Transactions” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and (b) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each other document and instrument required to satisfy the conditions precedent to the initial Loan hereunder, including without limitation all applicable Subordinated Debt Documents and all documents and instruments relating to any required equity contribution.

 

“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code in effect from time to time in the State of Texas.

 

  

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“Vessel” means any barge, tug or other vessel upon which a Lien may be established under Title 46 USC 313.

 

“Vessel Mortgage” means a first preferred fleet or ship mortgage or other security document granting a Lien on any Vessel or group of Vessels to secure the Obligations.  Each Vessel Mortgage shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

SECTION 1.02.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).

 

SECTION 1.03.  Terms Generally.  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 (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring

to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) 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, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) 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.

 

SECTION 1.04.  Accounting Terms; GAAP.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application
thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until  such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision  amended in accordance herewith.

 

  

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ARTICLE II

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

 

SECTION 2.02.  Loans and Borrowings.

 

(a)           Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.  The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a single Note of Borrower (each, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications and replacements thereof and substitutions therefor, a “Note,”
collectively, the “Notes”) in substantially the forms of Exhibit C-1 (Revolving Loans) and Exhibit C-2 (Swingline Loans) respectively, payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to the applicable Commitment of such Lender with respect to Revolving Loans and in the principal amount of $5,000,000 with respect to Swingline Loans and otherwise duly completed.  Each Lender is hereby authorized by Borrower to endorse on the schedule (or a continuation thereof) that may be attached to each Note of such Lender, to the extent applicable, the date, amount, type of and the applicable period of interest for each Loan made by such Lender to Borrower hereunder, and the amount of each payment or prepayment of principal of such Loan received by such Lender, provided, that any failure by such Lender to make any such endorsement
shall not affect the obligations of Borrower under such Note or hereunder in respect of such Loan.

 

(b)           Subject to Section 2.13, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.  Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan.  Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)           At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000.  At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e).  Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000.  Borrowings of
more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of eight (8) Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.

 

  

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(d)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

 

SECTION 2.03.  Requests for Borrowings.  To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the
date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.  Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)           the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

 

(ii)          the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)         whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(iv)         in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(v)          the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Promptly following receipt of a  Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04.  Letters of Credit.

 

(a)           General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

  

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(b)           Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (at least five Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $20,000,000 and (ii) the total Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments.

 

(c)           Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(d)           Participations.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of

the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

  

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(e)           Reimbursement.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received

prior to 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with this Agreement that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan.  If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall

pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant

to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

(f)           Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a

Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a
drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the

generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

  

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(g)           Disbursement Procedures.  The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(h)           Interim Interest.  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.12(c) shall
apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)           Replacement of the Issuing Bank.  The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all

the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

  

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(j)           Cash Collateralization.  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, at least two Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 66-2/3% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clauses (h) or (i) of Article VII.  The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.10(b).  Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.  The Administrative Agent shall
have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of at least two Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure  representing greater than 66-2/3% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy
other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.10(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.10(b) and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

SECTION 2.05.  Funding of Borrowings.

 

(a)           Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.19.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in Houston, Texas and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR
Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.

 

  

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(b)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  If a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest
thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.06.  Interest Elections.

 

(a)           Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be
considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

 

(b)           To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.

 

(c)           Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information:

 

(i)           the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

  

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(ii)         the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)        whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

 

(iv)        if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)           Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)           If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at

the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

(f)           A Borrowing of any Class may not be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing if after giving effect thereto the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Eurodollar Borrowings of such Class with Interest Periods ending on or prior to such scheduled repayment date plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding ABR Borrowings of such Class would be less than the aggregate principal amount of Loans of such Class required to be repaid on such scheduled repayment date.

 

SECTION 2.07.  Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments.

 

(a)           Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)           The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.

 

  

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(c)            The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section, at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower

(by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

 

(d)           At any time prior to the expiration of the Revolving Availability Period, and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred which is continuing, the Borrower may elect to increase the aggregate of the Commitments to an amount not exceeding $100,000,000 minus any reductions in the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.07(b) hereof, provided that (i) the Borrower shall give at least fifteen (15) Business Days’ prior written notice of such increase to the Administrative Agent and each existing Lender, (ii) each existing Lender shall have the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to its pro rata
share of the proposed increase in the Commitments by giving written notice of such election to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of a notice from the Borrower as above described and only if an existing Lender does not exercise such election may the Borrower elect to add a new Lender, (iii) no Lender shall be required to increase its Commitment unless it shall have expressly agreed to such increase in writing (but otherwise, no notice to or consent by any Lender shall be required, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 9.02 hereof), (iv) the addition of new Lenders shall be subject to the terms and provisions of Section 9.04 hereof as if such new Lenders were acquiring an interest in the Loans by assignment from an existing Lender (to the extent applicable, i.e. required approvals,
minimum amounts and the like), (v) the Borrower shall execute and deliver such additional or replacement Notes and such other documentation (including evidence of proper authorization) as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any new Lender or any Lender which is increasing its Commitment, (vi) no Lender shall have any right to decrease its Commitment as a result of such increase of the aggregate amount of the Commitments, (vii) the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to arrange, find or locate any Lender or new bank or financial institution to participate in any unsubscribed portion of such increase in the aggregate committed amount of the Commitments, and (viii) such option to increase the Commitments may only be exercised once.  The Borrowers shall be required to pay (or to reimburse each applicable Lender for) any breakage costs incurred by any Lender in connection with the need to reallocate existing Loans among the Lenders following any
increase in the Commitments pursuant to this provision.  Except as may otherwise be agreed by the Borrower and any applicable Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any upfront or other fees or expenses to any existing Lenders, new Lenders or the Administrative Agent with respect to any such increase in Commitments.

 

SECTION 2.08.  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)           The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

 

  

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(b)           Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)           The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)           The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.09.  Intentionally Left Blank.

 

SECTION 2.10.  Prepayment of Loans.

 

(a)           The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section.

 

(b)           In the event and on such occasion that the sum of the Revolving Exposures exceeds the total Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.04(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

 

(c)           Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to this Section.

 

(d)           The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal
amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that, if a notice of optional prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.07, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.07.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment.

 

  

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(e)           All Swap Agreements and agreements governing Banking Services between Borrower and any Lender (or any Affiliate of a Lender) are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of said Swap Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayment, acceleration, reduction, increase or change in the terms of the Obligations, except as otherwise expressly provided in said Swap Agreements, and any payoff statement relating to the Obligations shall not apply to said Swap Agreements or agreements governing Banking Services except as otherwise expressly provided in such payoff  statement.

 

SECTION 2.11.  Fees.

 

(a)           The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the date hereof to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates.  Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.  All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but
excluding the last day).  For purposes of computing such commitment fees,  a Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (but the Commitment of a Lender shall not be deemed to be used to the extent of the Swingline Exposure of such Lender).

 

(b)          The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure (provided, however, that in no event shall such participation fees for any single Letter of Credit be less

than $500) and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on

which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

  

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(c)           The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)           All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 2.12.  Interest.

 

(a)           The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the lesser of (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate or (ii) the Ceiling Rate.

 

(b)           The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the lesser of (i) the Adjusted LIBOR for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate or (ii) the Ceiling Rate.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, the entire unpaid principal balance of the Loans shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the Ceiling Rate or (ii) in the case of principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

(d)           Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective

date of such conversion.

 

  

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(e)          All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBOR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.13.  Alternate Rate of Interest.  If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

 

(a)          the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBOR for such Interest Period; or

 

(b)          the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBOR for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any  Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.

 

SECTION 2.14.  Increased Costs.

 

(a)          If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)           impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBOR) or the Issuing Bank; or

 

(ii)           impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

  

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(b)          If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of

such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)          A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of the amounts, and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)          Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or
reductions is retroactive and if such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of such Change of Law within 180 days after the adoption, enactment or similar act with respect to such Change of Law, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period from the effective date of such Change of Law to the date of such notice.

 

SECTION 2.15.  Break Funding Payments.  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18, then, in any
such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBOR that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market.  A certificate of

any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of the amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

  

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SECTION 2.16.  Taxes.

 

(a)          Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full
amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)          In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)          The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental
Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of the amounts, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)          As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)          Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.

 

  

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SECTION 2.17.  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

 

(a)          The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Sections 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set off, deduction or counterclaim.  Any amounts
received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments
received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  All payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

 

(b)          If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

  

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(c)          If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans, resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall
be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered,  such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any other Loan Party or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall
apply).  Each Lender agrees that it will not exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise obtain payment in respect of any Obligation owed to it other than principal of and interest accruing on the Loans and participations in the LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, unless all of the outstanding principal of and accrued interest on the Loans and LC Disbursements have been paid in full. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)          Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due.  If the Borrower has not in fact made such payment when due, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing
Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

(e)          If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations hereunder until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

SECTION 2.18.  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)          If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to 
Sections 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

  

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(b)          If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights
and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such assignor Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to
be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such  assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

SECTION 2.19.  Swingline Loans.

 

(a)          Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline  Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000 or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the total Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan and provided further that the Swingline Lender shall not, without the consent of the Required Lenders, make any Swingline Loan if any Event of Default exists of which the Swingline Lender has

actual knowledge.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

 

(b)          To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan.  The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower.  The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the
reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

 

  

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(c)          The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding.  Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate.  The Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender by 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time on such Business Day, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided
above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional, subject to Swingline Lender’s compliance with the provisions of Section 2.19(a) hereof, and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in 
Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower in writing of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender.  Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall

be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender  and to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph, as their interests may appear, such remittance to be made on the day of receipt if such payment is received by 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time and prior to 10:00 a.m. of the following Business Day if such payment is received after 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

 

(d)          Notwithstanding the foregoing procedures for requesting a Swingline Loan, the Borrower and the Swingline Lender may agree to implement an alternate arrangement with respect to Swingline Loans pursuant to a direct borrowing agreement between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender.  The Swingline Lender will give notice to the Administrative Agent of each Swingline Loan made by the Borrower within one (1) Business Day after making such Swingline Loan.

 

SECTION 2.20.  Defaulting Lender.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)          fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of any Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  

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(b)          the Commitments and Obligations of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.02), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(c)          if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)           all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the Lenders which are not Defaulting Lenders (the “Non-Defaulting Lenders”) in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments; and

 

(ii)           if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.04(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)           if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.20(c), the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(iv)           if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.20(c), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.11 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; or

 

(v)           if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.20(c), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated;

 

(d)         so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(c)(i) (and
Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

 

  

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(e)          any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise and including any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.17) shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated account and, subject to any applicable requirements of law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent (i) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing
Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder, (iii) third, to the funding of any Loan or the funding or cash collateralization of any participating interest in any Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (iv) fourth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, (v) fifth, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower or the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower or any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (vi) sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is (x) a
prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans or reimbursement obligations in respect of LC Disbursements which a Defaulting Lender has funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or reimbursement obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender.

 

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

 

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers.  Each of the Borrower and the other applicable Loan Parties is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

  

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SECTION 3.02.  Authorization; Enforceability.  The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower or such Loan Party (as the case may be), 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.

 

SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.  The Transactions (a) do not require any material consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any other applicable Loan Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any other Loan Party or their
assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, except Liens created under the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition.  The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, equity and cash flows (1) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and (2) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, certified by a Financial Officer.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to
in clause (2) above. Since December 31, 2009, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.01, after giving effect to the Transactions, none of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries has, as of the Effective Date, any material contingent liabilities or unrealized losses.

 

SECTION 3.05.  Properties.

 

(a)           The Borrower and each other Loan Party has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property material to its business (including the Mortgaged Properties), except for (i) minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and (ii) in respect of properties acquired in connection with an Acquisition, title defects which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and with respect to which funds have been escrowed in connection with the applicable Acquisition and the correction of such defects is being diligently pursued by appropriate action.

 

  

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(b)          The Borrower and each other Loan Party owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and each other Loan Party does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.06.  Litigation and Environmental Matters.

 

(a)          There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any other Loan Party (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any of the Loan Documents or the Transactions.

 

(b)          Except with respect to any other matters that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements.  The Borrower and each other Loan Party is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 3.08.  Investment Company Status.  Neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 3.09.  Taxes.  The Borrower and each other Loan Party has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such other Loan Party, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.10.  ERISA.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement

of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans, in each of such cases so as to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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SECTION 3.11.  Disclosure.  The Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is subject, and all other matters known to any of them, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material

fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

 

SECTION 3.12.  Subsidiaries.  The Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than as set forth on Schedule 3.12 hereto.  The Borrower owns all of the Equity Interests in and to each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 3.12 hereto.

 

SECTION 3.13.  Insurance.  As of the Effective Date, all premiums due in respect of all insurance maintained by the Borrower and each other Loan Party have been paid.

 

SECTION 3.14.  Labor Matters.  As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against the Borrower or any other Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened.  The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, except to the extent contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such other Loan Party, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves.  All payments due from the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or for which any claim
may be made against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such other Loan Party, provided that payments due, as of the date of any applicable Acquisition,  by the entity which is the subject of such Acquisition, and which Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be obligated to pay following the closing of such Acquisition, shall not constitute a violation of this provision so long as such payments are paid within six (6) months following the closing of such Acquisition and so long as the failure to pay such amounts earlier could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party

is bound.

 

SECTION 3.15.  Solvency.  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loans, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date.

 

  

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SECTION 3.16.  Material Property Subject to Security Documents.  The Collateral constitutes all of the real and material personal property owned by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Assets).

 

SECTION 3.17.  Foreign Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date, the aggregate value (based on the greater of book or market value) of the total assets owned by Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower  does not exceed 5% of the aggregate value (based on the greater of book or market value) of the total assets owned by Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

 

SECTION 4.01.  Effective Date.  The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

 

(a)          The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) counterparts of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed counterparts of this Agreement.

 

(b)          The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from Borrower an original of each Note signed on behalf of Borrower.

 

(c)          The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from Borrower and from each other party to the Loan Documents (other than the Notes) either (i) counterparts of each applicable Loan Document signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of the applicable Loan Document) that such party has signed counterparts of such Loan Document.

 

(d)          The Administrative Agent shall have received written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Peter R. Buchler, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request.

 

(e)          The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

  

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(f)          The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by an appropriate officer or other responsible party acceptable to Administrative Agent on behalf of Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.

 

(g)          The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out of pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

(h)          The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following:

 

(i)           to the extent applicable, certificates representing all of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Subsidiary of Borrower as of the Effective Date (other than Equity Interests included in the Excluded Assets) and powers of attorney, endorsed in blank, with respect to such certificates;

 

(ii)          all documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to create or perfect the Liens intended to be created under the Security Documents;

 

(iii)          the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent) filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in such jurisdictions as the Administrative Agent may require and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02 or have been released; and

 

(iv)          evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that none of the Mortgaged Property lies in an area requiring special notices of flood hazard issues or the purchase of flood hazard insurance, unless such flood hazard insurance has been obtained and is in effect.

 

(i)          The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the insurance required by Section 5.07 and the Security Documents is in effect.

 

(j)          The Administrative Agent shall have received, and shall be satisfied with the results of, an environmental report prepared by a consultant acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to any Environmental Liabilities that may be attributable to such properties or operations as have been specified by the Administrative Agent for review.

 

(k)          The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have been released from all liabilities and obligations in respect of Indebtedness (other than the Obligations).

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

  

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SECTION 4.02.  Each Credit Event.  The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)          The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable.

 

(b)          At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and there shall have occurred no event which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

(a)          within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)          within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal

year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

  

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(c)          concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (a) or (b) above, beginning with the financial statement as of June 30, 2010, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections

5.13, 6.13 and 6.14 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the Effective Date and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate; and

 

(d)         promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)          the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)          the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)          any other development that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03.  Information Regarding Borrower.

 

(a)          The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization, corporate name or in any trade name used to identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its properties, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, its principal place of business, or any facility at which Collateral owned by it is located (including the establishment of any such new facility), (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or corporate structure or (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number.  The Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have

been made under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Administrative Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral.  The Borrower also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed and such loss or damage exceeds $100,000 per occurrence.

 

  

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(b)         After the Effective Date, Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent in writing promptly upon Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ acquisition or ownership of any estate (fee simple or leasehold) of real property (other than the Mortgaged Property and other than Excluded Assets) or of any personal property (other than Excluded Assets) not already covered by the Security Documents (such acquisition or ownership being herein called an “Additional Collateral Event” and the property so acquired or owned being herein called “Additional Collateral”).  As soon as practicable and in any

event within thirty (30) days after an Additional Collateral Event, Borrower shall (a) execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered Security Documents, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, in favor of Administrative Agent and duly executed by Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, covering and affecting and granting a first-priority Lien upon the applicable Additional Collateral, and such other documents (including, to the extent required by the Administrative Agent and without limitation, surveys, abstracts, appraisals, environmental assessments, certificates, and legal opinions, all in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent) as may be required by Administrative Agent in connection with the execution and delivery of such Security Documents; (b) with respect to any Additional Collateral which is real property, to the extent required by Administrative Agent, cause a title insurance underwriter satisfactory to Administrative Agent to
issue to Administrative Agent a mortgage policy of title insurance, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, insuring the first-priority Lien of the applicable Mortgage in such amount as is satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (c) deliver or cause to be delivered by Subsidiaries of Borrower such other documents or certificates consistent with the terms of this Agreement and relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(c)          At any reasonable time and from time to time during normal business hours and without undue interference to Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, Borrower will permit, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of Administrative Agent:

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
to examine and make copies of the books and records of, and visit and inspect the properties or assets of Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries and to discuss the business, operations, and financial condition of any such Persons with their respective officers and employees and with their independent certified public accountants;

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
to conduct field audits (consisting of audits, verifications and inspections of the accounts receivable, inventory and assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, conducted by an independent third Person selected by Administrative Agent); provided, however, that Borrower shall only be required to reimburse Administrative Agent for one (1) such field audit during any fiscal year of Borrower; and

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
to conduct appraisals of the assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the cost of one (1) appraisal of all the assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries during each calendar year shall be paid by Borrower (otherwise such cost shall be paid by Lenders).

 

  

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SECTION 5.04.  Existence; Conduct of Business.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

SECTION 5.05.  Payment of Obligations.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, pay its Indebtedness and other obligations, including liabilities for Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such other Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, (c) such contest effectively suspends collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation and (d) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.

 

SECTION 5.06.  Maintenance of Properties.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

SECTION 5.07.  Insurance.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Security Documents.  The Borrower will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

 

SECTION 5.08.  Casualty and Condemnation.  The Borrower (a) will furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any Collateral or any part thereof or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) will ensure that the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.09.  Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

 

SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Laws.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  

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SECTION 5.11.  Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit.  The Letters of Credit and the proceeds of the Loans will be used only for general working capital  and for other general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and the repayment of Indebtedness.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations U and X.

 

SECTION 5.12.  Further Assurances.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), which may be required under any applicable law, or which the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or to grant, preserve, protect or perfect the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents or the validity or priority of any such Lien, all at the expense of the Loan
Parties.  The Borrower also agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 5.13.  Financial Covenants.  The Borrower will have and maintain:

 

(a)          Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio – a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00 at all times.

 

(b)          Leverage Ratio – a Leverage Ratio of not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 at all times.

 

(c)          Net Worth – a minimum Net Worth of not less than (1) as of the Effective Date, $180,000,000 and (2) at the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower thereafter, the minimum Net Worth required as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter of Borrower plus 50% of the consolidated net income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if positive), for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter of Borrower plus 75% of all issuances of Equity Interests by Borrower during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter of Borrower.

 

SECTION 5.14.  Post-Closing Matters.  Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Administrative Agent, within sixty (60) days after the Effective Date, agreements whereby (x) each warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor having possession of any Inventory of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which is a Loan Party has subordinated any Lien such warehouseman, bailee, agent or processor may claim therein and agreed to hold all such Inventory for the Administrative Agent’s account subject to the Administrative Agent’s instruction and (y) each landlord in respect of any space leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which is a Loan Party has subordinated any Lien such landlord may
claim in any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  Within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all Vessels owned by a Loan Party and all assets owned by T.W. LaQuay Dredging, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, are free and clear of Liens other than Permitted Liens and other than Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent securing the Obligations.

 

  

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ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees   payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders:

 

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities.

 

(a)          The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(i)          Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

 

(ii)         Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01;

 

(iii)        Indebtedness of any Domestic Subsidiary to Borrower or any other  Domestic Subsidiary and Indebtedness of Borrower to any of its Domestic Subsidiaries;

 

(iv)        Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding and Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries to Foreign Subsidiaries not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(v)         Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under this Section 6.01(a);

 

(vi)        Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding, at any one time outstanding, $2,000,000;

 

(vii)       “mark to market” exposure resulting from any Swap Agreement entered into for protection against interest rate risks, and not for speculative purposes;

 

(viii)      Bond Obligations;

 

(ix)        other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and

 

(x)         extensions, renewals and replacements of any of the foregoing that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof.

 

(b)         The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, issue any preferred Equity Interests after the Effective Date.

 

  

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SECTION 6.02.  Liens.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(i)          Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens securing obligations owed to one or more of the Lenders or Affiliates thereof (but not to any Person which is not, at the time such obligations are incurred, a Lender or an Affiliate thereof) under a Swap Agreement or under an agreement governing Banking Services;

 

(ii)         any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any other Loan Party existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02;

 

(iii)        Liens created pursuant to Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money Indebtedness permitted pursuant to this Agreement; provided that such Liens are only in respect of the property or assets subject to, and secure only, the respective Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money Indebtedness;

 

(iv)        Liens on Bonded Receivables, which Liens secure only the related Bond Obligations;

 

(v)         Liens on cash deposits in an aggregate amount which does not exceed $250,000 at any time, which Liens secure only Bond Obligations;

 

(vi)        Liens in favor of the bonding companies of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which Liens secure only the related Bond Obligations and which Liens are subordinated to the Liens under the Loan Documents securing the Obligations in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion); and

 

(vii)       Permitted Encumbrances.

 

SECTION 6.03.  Fundamental Changes.

 

(a)          The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that (i) any Subsidiary may merge into Borrower in a transaction in which Borrower is the surviving Person, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into any Domestic Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Domestic Subsidiary and any Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower may merge into any other Foreign Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and if such
Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary, its assets are transferred to Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary and (iv) Borrower or any Subsidiary may give effect to a merger or consolidation the purpose of which is to effect an investment, disposition or Acquisition permitted under Article VI so long as Borrower continues in existence and the surviving entity is a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

(b)         The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

 

  

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SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans, Advances and Guarantees.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower or that is a Foreign Subsidiary prior to such merger) any Equity Interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, except:

 

(a)         investments existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.04;

 

(b)         Permitted Investments;

 

(c)         loans or advances permitted under Section 6.01(a);

 

(d)         loans or advances by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to their respective employees in the ordinary course of business, not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(e)         Accounts receivable owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if created in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

 

(f)          Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; provided that a Subsidiary of Borrower shall not Guarantee any Subordinated Debt;

 

(g)         investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent Accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)         investments by any Domestic Subsidiary in Borrower or any other  Domestic Subsidiary, investments by Borrower in any of its Domestic Subsidiaries and investments by any Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower in any other Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower;

 

(i)          investments by Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries in any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000 at any time outstanding; and

 

(j)          other investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the consolidated net worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 6.05.  Asset Sales.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, except:

 

(a)          sales of scrap materials, inventory, used or surplus equipment and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

 

  

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(b)         sales, transfers and dispositions to the Borrower or to any of its Subsidiaries; provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09; and

 

(c)         other sales by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which do not exceed, in the aggregate, $5,000,000 in any fiscal year;

 

provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other than those permitted by clause (b) above) shall be made for fair value and solely for cash consideration.

 

SECTION 6.06.  Sale and Leaseback Transactions.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred.

 

SECTION 6.07.  Swap Agreements.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any Swap Agreement, other than Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

 

SECTION 6.08.  Restricted Payments.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests, and (ii) Subsidiaries of Borrower may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests and (iii) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result therefrom, the Borrower may repurchase shares of its Equity Interests during the term of this Agreement in any
amount, so long as the Borrower can demonstrate, after giving effect to such purchase (A) compliance on a pro forma basis with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.13 hereof and (B) the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower on a pro forma basis shall not exceed 1.00 to 1.00.

 

SECTION 6.09.  Transactions with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates which is on terms which are less favorable than are obtainable from any Person who is not an Affiliate of the Loan Party or another Loan Party.  The foregoing shall not prohibit (a) transactions between or among the Borrower and any Loan Party not involving any other Affiliate or (b) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08.

 

SECTION 6.10.  Restrictive Agreements.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any  other Loan Party to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary of Borrower to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the foregoing shall
not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document.

 

  

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SECTION 6.11.  Amendment of Material Documents.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any Subordinated Debt Document or (b) its organizational documents (in any manner adverse to the Lenders).

 

SECTION 6.12.  Additional Subsidiaries.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, form or acquire any Subsidiary after the Effective Date except that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may form, create or acquire a wholly-owned Subsidiary so long as (a) immediately thereafter and giving effect thereto, no event will occur and be continuing which constitutes a Default; (b) such Subsidiary (and, where applicable, Borrower) shall execute and deliver a Guaranty (or, at the option of Administrative Agent, a joinder to the Guaranty executed concurrently herewith) and such Security Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to effectuate the provisions of this Agreement regarding Collateral

to be covered by the Security Documents (provided that no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to execute and deliver such a Guaranty or such Security Documents unless the delivery of such documents would not reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax consequences), and (c) Administrative Agent is given prior notice of such formation, creation or acquisition.    Borrower shall not permit any Foreign Subsidiary to form, create or acquire a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 6.13.  Property of Foreign Subsidiaries.  Borrower will not permit the aggregate value (based on the greater of book or market value) of the total assets owned by Foreign Subsidiaries of Borrower  to exceed 5% of the aggregate value (based on the greater of book or market value) of the total assets owned by Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 6.14.  Acquisitions.  None of the Loan Parties will consummate any Acquisition other than Acquisitions which satisfy the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)         the Acquisition of Equity Interests shall require the acquisition of all (but not less than all) of the Equity Interests in and to the applicable Person;

 

(b)         no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or, on a pro forma basis, would reasonably be expected to result from such Acquisition (to be demonstrated by pro forma financial statements giving effect to such Acquisition);

 

(c)         the Borrower can demonstrate, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to such Acquisition that the Leverage Ratio does not exceed 2.00 to 1.00; and

 

(d)        all of the requirements of Sections 5.03(b) and 6.12 hereof shall have been satisfied;

 

(e)         Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with such Acquisition;

 

(f)          Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the fully executed acquisition agreement (each a “Purchase Agreement”), relating to the Acquisition, which Purchase Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, and the closing terms and conditions set forth in such Purchase Agreement shall not have been materially amended or waived without prior approval by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

  

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(g)         Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the material documents evidencing the closing of the transactions contemplated by such Purchase Agreement, which documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(h)         Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all consents and approvals required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the applicable Acquisition shall have been obtained, and all applicable waiting periods and appeal periods shall have expired, in each case without the imposition of any burdensome conditions.

 

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

 

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

 

(a)         the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b)         the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

 

(c)         any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d)         the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02, 5.03(b), 5.07, 5.11 or 5.13 or in Article VI;

 

(e)         any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 20 days after the earlier of (i) the Borrower becoming aware of such failure and (ii) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of the Required Lenders);

 

(f)         any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;

 

  

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(g)         an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any other Loan Party or their debts, or of a substantial part of their assets, under any  Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of their assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(h)         the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (g) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(i)          the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(j)          one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000 (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any other Loan Party and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to enforce any such judgment;

 

(k)         an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(l)          any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be a valid and perfected Lien on any Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, and the same shall not be fully cured within 30 days after notice thereof to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, or any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be a valid and perfected Lien on any Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction

permitted under the Loan Documents;

 

  

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(m)        a Change in Control shall occur;

 

(n)         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) shall fail to have adequate bonding capacity to operative their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith and such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days or (ii) shall receive notice that is bonding capacity is to be or has been denied, terminated or withdrawn and a period of thirty (30) days shall elapse following the date of receipt of such notice by Borrower or such Subsidiary without Borrower or such Subsidiary replacing such denied, terminated or withdrawn bonding capacity with another bonding agent;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clauses (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and
thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become  due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clauses (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

 

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

  

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The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section
9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, BUT REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the
Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

  

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Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may (and, in the event (i) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, as a Lender, has any Revolving Exposure or unused Commitment and (ii) the Required Lenders so request, the Administrative Agent shall) resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring

Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in Houston, Texas, or an Affiliate of any such bank.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring
Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.  Notices.

 

(a)          Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), 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:

 

(i)           if to the Borrower, to it at 12000 Aerospace Avenue, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77034, Attention: Mark Stauffer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Telecopy No. 713-852-6530), with a copy to Peter R. Buchler, Executive Vice President & General Counsel (Telecopy No. 713-852-6594);

 

(ii)          if to the Administrative Agent, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, with a copy to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 300, MAC T5001-031, Houston, TX 77002, Attention: Tim Gebauer;

 

(iii)         if to the Issuing Bank, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, with a copy to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 300, MAC T5001-031, Houston, TX 77002, Attention: Tim Gebauer;

 

  

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(iv)         if to the Swingline Lender, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, with a copy to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 300, MAC T5001-031, Houston, TX 77002, Attention: Tim Gebauer; and

 

(v)          if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(b)         Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

(c)         Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy 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.

 

SECTION 9.02.  Waivers; Amendments.

 

(a)         No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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 Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any
Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

  

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(b)           Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase  the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon,

or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment (including any mandatory prepayment) of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to
waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be), (vi) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from liability under the Guaranty or limit the liability of all or substantially all of the Guarantors in respect of the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender, (vii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender or (vii) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class; provided further that any change to Section 2.20 shall require the written consent of each of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender and no agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 9.03.  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)           The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket expenses incurred during  any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

  

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(b)           The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or

any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or related expenses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, BUT THE PRESENCE OF ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE SHALL NOT AFFECT THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH INDEMNITY.

 

(c)           To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.  For purposes hereof, a
Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon (without duplication) its share of the sum of the total Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments at the time.

 

(d)           To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

(e)           All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than three Business Days after written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)           The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the
parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

  

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(b)           (i)           Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(A)          the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee, and provided further that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

(B)           the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment; and

(C)           the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender.

(ii)          Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)          except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000, and shall not result in the assigning Lender holding a Commitment of  less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(B)           each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;

(C)           the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

  

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(D)           the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

For the purposes of this Section, the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:

 

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

(iii)         Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03).  Any assignment or transfer  by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv)         The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the

contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v)         Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and
Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

  

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(c)           (i)  Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly
with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii)           A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.14 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such
Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.16(e) as though it were a Lender.

(d)           Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

SECTION 9.05.  Survival.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments  delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation

or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the
termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

  

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SECTION 9.06.  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section
4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed 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 not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 9.08.  Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be
unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.09.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

 

(a)           This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Texas.

 

  

67

  

(b)           The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of each court of the State of Texas sitting in Harris County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division), and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, 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 Texas State 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 or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)           The Borrower 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 or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section.  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 or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.10.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  BORROWER HEREBY AGREES NOT TO ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ISSUE TRIABLE OF RIGHT BY JURY, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY FULLY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH RIGHT SHALL NOW OR HEREAFTER EXIST WITH REGARD TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.  THIS WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS GIVEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY BORROWER, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS INDIVIDUALLY EACH INSTANCE AND EACH ISSUE AS TO WHICH THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE.  LENDER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY
PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY BORROWER.

 

SECTION 9.11.  Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

  

68

  

SECTION 9.12.  Interest Rate Limitation.  Borrower and the Lenders intend to strictly comply with all applicable federal and Texas laws, including applicable usury laws (or the usury laws of any  jurisdiction whose usury laws are deemed to apply to the Notes or any other Loan Documents despite the intention and desire of the parties to apply the usury laws of the State of Texas).  Accordingly, the provisions of this Section shall govern and control over every other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which conflicts or is inconsistent with this Section, even if such provision declares that it controls.  As used in this Section, the term “interest” includes the
aggregate of all charges, fees, benefits or other compensation which constitute interest under applicable law, provided that, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) any non-principal payment shall be characterized as an expense or as compensation for something other than the use, forbearance or detention of money and not as interest, and (b) all interest at any time contracted for, reserved, charged or received shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread, using the actuarial method, during the full term of the Notes.  In no event shall Borrower or any other Person be obligated to pay, or any Lender have any right or privilege to reserve, receive or retain, (a) any interest in excess of the maximum amount of nonusurious interest permitted under the laws of the State of Texas or the applicable laws (if any) of the United States or of any other jurisdiction, or (b) total interest in excess of the amount which such Lender could lawfully have contracted for,

reserved, received, retained or charged had the interest been calculated for the full term of the Notes at the Ceiling Rate.  The daily interest rates to be used in calculating interest at the Ceiling Rate shall be determined by dividing the applicable Ceiling Rate per annum by the number of days in the calendar year for which such calculation is being made.  None of the terms and provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, Article VII hereof) which directly or indirectly relate to interest shall ever be construed without reference to this Section, or be construed to create a contract to pay for the use, forbearance or detention of money at any interest rate in excess of the Ceiling Rate.  If the term of any Note is shortened by reason of acceleration or maturity as a result of any Default or by any other cause, or by reason of any
required or permitted prepayment, and if for that (or any other) reason any Lender at any time, including but not limited to, the stated maturity, is owed or receives (and/or has received) interest in excess of interest calculated at the Ceiling Rate, then and in any such event all of any such excess interest shall be canceled automatically as of the date of such acceleration, prepayment or other event which produces the excess, and, if such excess interest has been paid to such Lender, it shall be credited pro tanto against the then-outstanding principal balance of Borrower’s obligations to such Lender, effective as of the date or dates when the event occurs which causes it to be excess interest, until such excess is exhausted or all of such principal has been fully paid and satisfied, whichever occurs first, and any remaining balance of such excess shall be promptly refunded to its payor.

 

SECTION 9.13.  USA Patriot Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

 

  

69

  

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.

	  	
ORION MARINE GROUP, INC.,

	  	
a Delaware corporation

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	
[Signed]

	  	
J. Michael Pearson,

	  	
President & CEO

[Credit Agreement Signature Page]

  

  

  

	  	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, individually and as

Administrative Agent and as Issuing Bank and

Swingline Lender

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	
[Signed]

	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  

[Credit Agreement Signature Page]

  

  

  

	  	
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

	  	
individually and as Issuing Bank in respect of the

	  	
Existing Letters of Credit

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	
[Signed]

	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  

[Credit Agreement Signature Page]

  

  

  

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between ________________________ (the “Assignor”) and _______________________ (the “Assignee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below  (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard
Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii)
to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and
Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

	
1.

	
Assignor:

	 	 

	
2.

	
Assignee:

	 	 

[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of __________________]

	
3.

	
Borrower(s):

	
ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation

	
4.

	
Administrative Agent: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

	
5.

	
Credit Agreement:

	
The Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2010 among ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, the Lenders parties thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders parties thereto

 

EXHIBIT A

  

  

  

	
6.

	
Assigned Interest:

	
Facility Assigned

	 	
Aggregate Amount of

Commitment/Loans for

all Lenders

	 	
Amount of

Commitment/Loans

Assigned

	 	
Percentage Assigned of

Commitment/Loans1

	
Commitment

	 	
$_______________

	 	
$_______________

	 	
_____%

Effective Date:   ________________, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

	  	
ASSIGNOR

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	  
	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  
	  	  	  
	  	
ASSIGNEE

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	  
	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  

1 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

EXHIBIT A

  

2

  

 

Consented to and Accepted:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent,

as Issuing Bank and as Swingline Lender

	
By:

	  	 
	
Name:

	  	 
	
Title:

	  	 

Consented to:

ORION MARINE GROUP, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

	
By:

	  	 
	
Name:

	  	 
	
Title:

	  	 

 

EXHIBIT A

  

3

  

 

ANNEX 1

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.           Representations and Warranties.

1.1           Assignor.  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of any Loan Party or their respective Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by any Loan Party or their respective Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2.           Assignee.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned

Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2.           Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

EXHIBIT A

  

  

  

3.           General Provisions.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the
State of Texas.

 

EXHIBIT A

2

  

  

 

EXHIBIT B

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he or she is the __________________ of ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), and that as such he or she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of June 29, 2010, by and among Borrower, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders therein named; and that a review has been made under his or her supervision with a view to determining whether the Loan Parties have fulfilled all of their respective obligations under the Agreement, the

Notes and the other Loan Documents; and further certifies, represents and warrants that to his or her knowledge (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):

(a)           The financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with this Compliance Certificate have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently followed throughout the period indicated and fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the applicable Persons as at the end of, and for, the period indicated (subject, in the case of quarterly financial statements, to normal changes resulting from year-end adjustments and the absence of certain footnotes).

(b)           No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.  In this regard, the compliance with the provisions of Sections 5.13 and 6.13 as of the effective date of the financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with this Compliance Certificate is as follows:

	
  

	
(i)

	
Section 5.13(a) – Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

Actual                                                                Required

_______ to 1.00                                                _______  to 1.00

	
  

	
(ii)

	
Section 5.13(b) – Leverage Ratio

Actual                                                                Required

_______ to 1.00                                                _______  to 1.00

	 	
(iii)

	
Section 5.13(c) – Net Worth

Actual                                                                Required

$_____________                                                 $______________

 

EXHIBIT B

  

 

  

  

(c)            There has been no change in GAAP or in the application thereof since the Effective Date which would reasonably be expected to affect the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in the Agreement or, if any such change has occurred, the effects of such change on the financial statements of the respective Loan Parties are specified on an attachment hereto.

(d)           Since the date of the Agreement, no event has occurred which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

DATED as of _____________, 20___.

	  	  
	  	
[SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED OFFICER]

 

EXHIBIT B

  

 

  

2

  

 

EXHIBIT C-1

 

NOTE

 

(Revolving Loans)

 

	
$____________

	
                 Houston, Texas

	
_______________, 201___

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with permitted successors, herein collectively called “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of __________________________________ (“Payee”), at the office of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, at 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, in immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal sum of ___________________________ Dollars ($___________) (or the unpaid balance of all principal advanced against this note, if that amount is less), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note from time to time
outstanding at the rate or rates provided in that certain Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of June 29, 2010 among Maker, certain signatory banks named therein (including the Payee) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; provided, that for the full term of this note the interest rate produced by the aggregate of all sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of this note for the use, forbearance or detention of the debt evidenced hereby shall not exceed the Ceiling Rate.  Any term defined in the Credit Agreement which is used in this note and which is not otherwise defined in this note shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Credit Agreement.

 

1.           Credit Agreement; Advances; Security.  This note has been issued pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement.  Advances against this note by Payee or other holder hereof shall be governed by the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.  Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for all purposes.  Payee is entitled to the benefits of and security provided for in the Credit Agreement.  The unpaid principal balance of this note at any time shall be the total of all amounts lent or advanced
against this note less the amount of all payments or permitted prepayments made on this note and by or for the account of Maker.  All loans and advances and all payments and permitted prepayments made hereon may be endorsed by the holder of this note on a schedule which may be attached hereto (and thereby made a part hereof for all purposes) or otherwise recorded in the holder’s records; provided, that any failure to make notation of (a) any advance shall not cancel, limit or otherwise affect Maker’s obligations or any holder’s rights with respect to that advance, or (b) any payment or permitted prepayment of principal shall not cancel, limit or otherwise affect Maker’s entitlement to credit for that payment as of the date received by the holder.

 

2.           Mandatory Payments of Principal and Interest.

 

(a)          Accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note shall be due and payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

EXHIBIT C-1

  

  

  

(b)         On the Revolving Maturity Date, the entire unpaid principal balance of this note and all accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note shall be finally due and payable.

 

(c)         All payments hereon made pursuant to this Paragraph shall be applied first to accrued interest, the balance to principal.

 

(d)         If any payment provided for in this note shall become due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day (unless the result of such extension of time would be to extend the date for such payment into another calendar month or beyond the Revolving Maturity Date, and in either such event such payment shall be made on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which such payment would otherwise have been due), and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest on this note.

 

(e)         The Credit Agreement provides for required prepayments of the indebtedness evidenced hereby upon terms and conditions specified therein.

 

3.           Default.  The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this note and other rights and remedies upon the occurrence of certain events specified therein.

 

4.           Waivers by Maker and Others.  Except to the extent, if any, that notice of default is expressly required herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, Maker and any and all co-makers, endorsers, guarantors and sureties severally waive notice (including, but not limited to, notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration, notice of protest and notice of dishonor), demand, presentment for payment, protest, diligence in collecting and the filing of suit for the purpose of fixing liability and consent that the time of payment hereof may be extended and re-extended from time to time without notice to

any of them.  Each such person agrees that his, her or its liability on or with respect to this note shall not be affected by any release of or change in any guaranty or security at any time existing or by any failure to perfect or to maintain perfection of any lien against or security interest in any such security or the partial or complete unenforceability of any guaranty or other surety obligation, in each case in whole or in part, with or without notice and before or after maturity.

 

5.           Paragraph Headings.  Paragraph headings appearing in this note are for convenient reference only and shall not be used to interpret or limit the meaning of any provision of this note.

 

6.           Choice of Law.  THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT.

 

7.           Successors and Assigns.  This note and all the covenants and agreements contained herein shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns of Maker and Payee.

 

EXHIBIT C-1

  

2

  

8.           Records of Payments.  The records of Payee shall be prima facie evidence of the amounts owing on this note.

 

9.           Severability.  If any provision of this note is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this note shall not be affected thereby, and this note shall be liberally construed so as to carry out the intent of the parties to it.

 

10.         Revolving Loan.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement, Maker may use all or any part of the credit provided to be evidenced by this note at any time before the Revolving Maturity Date.  Maker may borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder, and except as set forth in the Credit Agreement there is no limitation on the number of advances made hereunder.

 

11.         Business Loans.  Maker warrants and represents to Payee and all other holders of this note that all loans evidenced by this note are and will be for business, commercial, investment or other similar purpose and not primarily for personal, family, household or agricultural use, as such terms are used in the Texas Finance Code.

	  	
ORION MARINE GROUP, INC.,

	  	
a Delaware corporation

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	  
	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  

 

EXHIBIT C-1

  

3

  

 

EXHIBIT C-2

 

NOTE

 

(Swingline Loans)

 

	
$5,000,000

	
Houston, Texas

	
______________, 2010

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ORION MARINE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with permitted successors, herein collectively called “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Payee”), at the office of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association at 1525 W WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262, in immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal sum of _____________________________ Dollars ($________________) (or the unpaid balance of all principal advanced against this note, if that amount is less), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note from time to
time outstanding at the rate or rates provided in that certain Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of June 29, 2010 among Maker, certain signatory banks named therein (including the Payee) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent; provided, that for the full term of this note the interest rate produced by the aggregate of all sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of this note for the use, forbearance or detention of the debt evidenced hereby shall not exceed the Ceiling Rate.  Any term defined in the Credit Agreement which is used in this note and which is not otherwise defined in this note shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Credit Agreement.

 

1.           Credit Agreement; Advances; Security.  This note has been issued pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement.  Advances against this note by Payee or other holder hereof shall be governed by the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.  Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for all purposes.  Payee is entitled to the benefits of and security provided for in the Credit Agreement.  The unpaid principal balance of this note at any time shall be the total of all amounts lent or advanced
against this note less the amount of all payments or permitted prepayments made on this note and by or for the account of Maker.  All loans and advances and all payments and permitted prepayments made hereon may be endorsed by the holder of this note on a schedule which may be attached hereto (and thereby made a part hereof for all purposes) or otherwise recorded in the holder’s records; provided, that any failure to make notation of (a) any advance shall not cancel, limit or otherwise affect Maker’s obligations or any holder’s rights with respect to that advance, or (b) any payment or permitted prepayment of principal shall not cancel, limit or otherwise affect Maker’s entitlement to credit for that payment as of the date received by the holder.

 

2.           Mandatory Payments of Principal and Interest.

 

(a)         Accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note shall be due and payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

EXHIBIT C-2

  

  

  

(b)         On the Revolving Maturity Date, the entire unpaid principal balance of this note and all accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal balance of this note shall be finally due and payable.

 

(c)         All payments hereon made pursuant to this Paragraph shall be applied first to accrued interest, the balance to principal.

 

(d)         If any payment provided for in this note shall become due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day (unless the result of such extension of time would be to extend the date for such payment into another calendar month or beyond the Revolving Maturity Date, and in either such event such payment shall be made on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which such payment would otherwise have been due), and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest on this note.

 

(e)         The Credit Agreement provides for required prepayments of the indebtedness evidenced hereby upon terms and conditions specified therein.

 

3.           Default.  The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this note and other rights and remedies upon the occurrence of certain events specified therein.

 

4.           Waivers by Maker and Others.  Except to the extent, if any, that notice of default is expressly required herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, Maker and any and all co-makers, endorsers, guarantors and sureties severally waive notice (including, but not limited to, notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration, notice of protest and notice of dishonor), demand, presentment for payment, protest, diligence in collecting and the filing of suit for the purpose of fixing liability and consent that the time of payment hereof may be extended and re-extended from time to time without notice to

any of them.  Each such person agrees that his, her or its liability on or with respect to this note shall not be affected by any release of or change in any guaranty or security at any time existing or by any failure to perfect or to maintain perfection of any lien against or security interest in any such security or the partial or complete unenforceability of any guaranty or other surety obligation, in each case in whole or in part, with or without notice and before or after maturity.

 

5.           Paragraph Headings.  Paragraph headings appearing in this note are for convenient reference only and shall not be used to interpret or limit the meaning of any provision of this note.

 

6.           Choice of Law.  THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT.

 

7.           Successors and Assigns.  This note and all the covenants and agreements contained herein shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns of Maker and Payee.

 

EXHIBIT C-2

  

2

  

8.           Records of Payments.  The records of Payee shall be prima facie evidence of the amounts owing on this note.

 

9.           Severability.  If any provision of this note is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this note shall not be affected thereby, and this note shall be liberally construed so as to carry out the intent of the parties to it.

 

10.         Revolving Loan.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement, Maker may use all or any part of the credit provided to be evidenced by this note at any time before the Revolving Maturity Date.  Maker may borrow, repay and reborrow hereunder, and except as set forth in the Credit Agreement there is no limitation on the number of advances made hereunder.

 

11.         Business Loans.  Maker warrants and represents to Payee and all other holders of this note that all loans evidenced by this note are and will be for business, commercial, investment or other similar purpose and not primarily for personal, family, household or agricultural use, as such terms are used in the Texas Finance Code.

 

	  	
ORION MARINE GROUP, INC.,

	  	
a Delaware corporation

	  	  	  
	  	
By:

	  
	  	
Name:

	  
	  	
Title:

	  

 

EXHIBIT C-2

  

3

  

EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT

Letter of credit dated September 30, 2009 issued by Amegy Bank National Association upon the application of King Fisher Marine Services LP in the amount of $133,432 LC for benefit of Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd. with a current expiration date of September 30, 2010.

  

Letter of credit dated July 22, 2009 issued by Amegy Bank National Association upon the application of Orion Construction LP in the amount of $769,152 LC for benefit of Signal Mutual Indemnity with a current expiration date of July 22, 2010 and scheduled for auto renewal to July 22, 2011.

SCHEDULE 1.01

  

  

  

	  	 	
Revolving

	 
	
Lender

	 	
Commitments

	 
	  	 	 	 
	
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

	 	$	45,000,000	 
	
Amegy Bank National Association

	 	$	30,000,000	 

SCHEDULE 2.01

  

  

  

SUBSIDIARIES

	
Company Name

	 	
Tax ID

	 	
Authorized Signor

	 	
State of

Formation

	 	
States

Registered

	
Orion Marine Group, Inc.

	 	
26-0097459

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President & CEO

	 	
DE

	 	
TX

	
Orion Administrative Services, Inc.

	 	
71-0945404

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

Chairman, President & CEO

	 	
TX

	 	
N/A

	
F. Miller Construction, LLC

	 	
20-5538311

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

Sole Manager

	 	
LA

	 	
AL, MS

	
King Fisher Marine Service, LP

	 	
74-1327835

	 	
KFMSGP, LLC

By: J. Michael Pearson,

Sole Manager

	 	
TX

	 	
AL, FL, LA, MS, SC

	
KFMSLP, LLC

	 	
Disregarded Entity

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
NV

	 	
N/A

	
KFMSGP, LLC

	 	
Disregarded Entity

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

Sole Manager

	 	
TX

	 	
FL

	
Misener Marine Construction, Inc.

	 	
59-1158596

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

Chairman & CEO

	 	
FL

	 	
AL, GA, NC, SC, VA

	
Northwest Marine Construction, Inc.

	 	
27-1333783

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President & CEO

	 	
DE

	 	
TX, CA, WA, ID, AK, OR, BC

	
ACC North Equipment, ULC

	 	
86096 9963 RC0001

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
BC

	 	
N/A

	
Orion Construction, LP

	 	
76-0431089

	 	
OCGP, LLC

By: J. Michael Pearson,

Sole Manager

	 	
TX

	 	
FL, AL, GA, HI, LA, MS, CA, WA

	
OCLP, LLC

	 	
Disregarded

Entity

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
NV

	 	
N/A

	
OCGP, LLC

	 	
Disregarded Entity

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
TX

	 	
FL

	
Orion Dredging Services, LLC

	 	
26-1983644

	 	
J. Michael Pearson, Sole

Member

	 	
FL

	 	
MS, SC, AL, LA

	
SSL South, LLC

	 	
26-2877150

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

Executive General Manager

	 	
FL

	 	
DR

	
Seagull Services, LLC

	 	
27-1759782

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President & CEO

	 	
DE

	 	
TX

	
T.W. LaQuay Dredging, LLC

	 	
27-1789350

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President & CEO

	 	
TX

	 	
FL, MS, SC, NC, AL, LA

	
Industrial Channel and Dock Company

	 	
17415552425

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
TX

	 	
N/A

	
Commercial Channel and Dock Company

	 	
17415025158

	 	
J. Michael Pearson,

President

	 	
TX

	 	
N/A

SCHEDULE 3.12

  

  

  

INDEBTEDNESS

NONE

 

SCHEDULE 6.01

  

  

  

LIENS

Liens in favor of Amegy Bank National Association which are subject to termination concurrently herewith

Permitted Encumbrances

 

SCHEDULE 6.02

  

  

  

INVESTMENTS

Investments in Subsidiaries

 

SCHEDULE 6.04

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