S-4/A
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2021

Registration Statement No. 333-259343

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-4

Registration Statement

Under the

Securities Act of 1933

 

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY

(Exact name of each registrant as specified in its respective charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1311   71-0205415
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Primary standard industrial classification code number)   (I.R.S. employer
identification number)

10000 Energy Drive

Spring, Texas 77389

(832) 796-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Chris Lacy

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Southwestern Energy Company

10000 Energy Drive

Spring, Texas 77389

(832) 796-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of principal executive offices of the registrant)

 

 

Copies to:

P. Michelle Gasaway, Esq.

Frank Bayouth, Esq.

Eric C. Otness, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 6800

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 655-5100

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box:  ☐

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐


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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction: Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  ☐

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of
securities to be registered
  Amount to be
registered
  Proposed
maximum
offering price
per unit(1)
  Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price(1)
  Amount of
registration fee

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

  $698,528,000   100%   $698,528,000   $76,209.40(3)

Guarantees of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029(2)

  N/A   N/A   N/A   —  

Total

  $698,528,000   —     $698,528,000   $76,209.40

 

 

 

(1)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)

No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees, and no separate registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(3)

Includes $76,096.48 of the registration fee previously paid.

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter    State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
     I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number
 

Angelina Gathering Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

A.W. Realty Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Drilling Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN E & P Services, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Energy Services Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN International, LLC

     Delaware        71-0205415  

SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Producer Services, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Production Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC

     Texas        82-3993623  

SWN Production (Ohio), LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Water Resources Company, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

SWN Well Services, LLC

     Texas        71-0205415  

 

 

The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each of the subsidiary guarantor Registrant’s principal executive offices is 10000 Energy Drive, Spring, Texas 77389, telephone (832) 796-1000. The name, address, and telephone number of the agent for service for each subsidiary guarantor Registrant is Christopher W. Lacy, Southwestern Energy Company, 10000 Energy Drive, Spring, Texas 77389, telephone (832) 796-1000.


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not complete the exchange offer and issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 12, 2021

 

LOGO

Southwestern Energy Company

Offer to Exchange

Up to $698,528,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Outstanding Notes”)

for up to

$698,528,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “New Notes”) that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)

Guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors

 

 

We are offering to exchange up to $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of our registered New Notes for up to $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of our unregistered Outstanding Notes. The Outstanding Notes are, and the New Notes will be, guaranteed (the “guarantees”) by our subsidiaries Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN Drilling Company, LLC, SWN E&P Services, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Producer Services, LLC, SWN Production Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC, SWN Water Resources Company, LLC and SWN Well Services, LLC.

The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                , 2021 (the “Expiration Date”), unless we extend the Exchange Offer with respect to the Outstanding Notes in our sole and absolute discretion. We will announce any extension by press release or other permitted means no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. You may withdraw any Outstanding Notes tendered until the expiration of the Exchange Offer.

Terms of the Exchange Offer:

 

   

We will exchange the New Notes for the Outstanding Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer.

 

   

You may validly withdraw tenders of the Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer.

 

   

The form and terms of the New Notes are substantially identical to the form and terms of the Outstanding Notes, except that (i) the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act, (ii) the transfer restrictions, restrictive legends and registration rights applicable to the Outstanding Notes do not apply to the New Notes and (iii) the New Notes will not have the right to earn additional interest under certain circumstances related to our registration obligations.

 

   

We believe that the exchange of Outstanding Notes for New Notes will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You should see the discussion under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for more information.

 

   

We will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer.

Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. The letters of transmittal state that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”

For a discussion of factors you should consider in determining whether to tender your Outstanding Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, see the information under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 of this prospectus, as well as in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021 and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                , 2021.


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You should read this document together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation By Reference.” You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer to sell any series of securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information we have included in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference or, in each case, as of any earlier date as of which such information is given. This prospectus does not constitute an offer, or an invitation on our behalf to subscribe for and purchase any of the securities and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE      ii  
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS      iii  
MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA      iv  
NON GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES      iv  
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY      1  
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF SOUTHWESTERN      4  
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF INDIGO      6  
SUMMARY HISTORICAL RESERVE AND OPERATING DATA OF SOUTHWESTERN      8  
SUMMARY HISTORICAL RESERVE AND OPERATING DATA OF INDIGO      11  
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA      14  
THE EXCHANGE OFFER      15  
SUMMARY OF TERMS OF NEW NOTES      19  
RISK FACTORS      22  
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS      33  
USE OF PROCEEDS      34  
THE EXCHANGE OFFER      35  
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES      43  
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS      67  
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION      68  
LEGAL MATTERS      70  
EXPERTS      70  

Unless we have indicated otherwise, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Southwestern” refer to Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries, and references to “subsidiary guarantors” refer to Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN Drilling Company, LLC, SWN E&P Services, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Producer Services, LLC, SWN Production Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC, SWN Water Resources Company, LLC and SWN Well Services, LLC. With respect to the discussion of the terms of the New Notes in the section entitled “Prospectus Summary—Summary of Terms of New Notes” and in the section entitled “Description of the New Notes” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “Southwestern” refer to Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries.

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus constitutes an offer to sell only the New Notes offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not making an offer of any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Some of the information that you may want to consider is not included in this prospectus, but rather is “incorporated by reference” herein or therein from certain reports that we have filed with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information by referring to those documents rather than repeating them in full in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered part of this prospectus, except for any information that is updated or superseded, and contains important business and financial information. We incorporate by reference the following documents and all documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, after the date of this prospectus and at or prior to the Expiration Date, provided, however, that Southwestern is not incorporating by reference any information furnished (but not filed), except as otherwise specified herein:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021;

 

   

Those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A that was filed on April 8, 2021 and are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020;

 

   

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on April  29, 2021 and July 29, 2021, respectively; and

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January  4, 2021 (Item 5.02 only), May  21, 2021, June  2, 2021, June  9, 2021, July  2, 2021 (Item 8.01 only), July  15, 2021 (Item 5.02 only), August  2, 2021, August  10, 2021, August  16, 2021, August  17, 2021, August  17, 2021 (Item 1.01 only), August  27, 2021, August  30, 2021, September  1, 2021, September 3, 2021 and September 13, 2021 and on Form 8-K/A filed on January 22, 2021.

Information that is furnished to the SEC (including information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) shall not be incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner of securities offered under this prospectus, to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents or this prospectus. You should direct any such requests to us at the following address:

Southwestern Energy Company

10000 Energy Drive

Spring, Texas 77389

Attention: Investor Relations

(832) 796-4700

Statements made in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the documents incorporated by reference herein, each such statement being qualified in all material respects by such reference.

Any statement made in a document incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus is deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s belief and assumptions about the future in light of information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations and business strategies, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Indigo Merger (as defined below), the anticipated impact of the Indigo Merger on Southwestern’s business and future financial and operating results, the expected amount and timing of synergies from the Indigo Merger and other aspects of operations or operating results. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus that address activities, events or developments that Southwestern or Indigo (as defined below) expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words and phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target” and other similar words can be used to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Where, in any forward-looking statement, Southwestern or Indigo expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond Southwestern’s and Indigo’s control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those included in this prospectus. These include:

 

   

risks related to the Indigo Merger, including potential litigation relating to the Indigo Merger, and the effect of the consummation of the Indigo Merger on business relationships, operating results, employees, stakeholders and business generally of the parties;

 

   

our ability to realize the expected benefits from acquisitions, including the Montage Merger (as defined below) and the Indigo Merger (together, the “Mergers”);

 

   

costs in connection with the Mergers;

 

   

integration of operations and results subsequent to the Mergers;

 

   

the timing and extent of changes in market conditions and prices for natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) (including regional basis differentials) and the impact of reduced demand for our production and products in which our production is a component due to governmental and societal actions taken in response to the COVID-19 or other pandemic;

 

   

our ability to fund our planned capital investments;

 

   

a change in our credit rating, an increase in interest rates and any adverse impacts from the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate;

 

   

the extent to which lower commodity prices impact our ability to service or refinance our existing debt;

 

   

the impact of volatility in the financial markets or other global economic factors, including the impact of COVID-19 or other diseases;

 

   

difficulties in appropriately allocating capital and resources among our strategic opportunities;

 

   

the timing and extent of our success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating reserves;

 

   

our ability to maintain leases that may expire if production is not established or profitably maintained;

 

   

our ability to transport our production to the most favorable markets or at all;

 

   

availability and costs of personnel and of products and services provided by third parties;

 

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the impact of government regulation, including changes in law, the ability to obtain and maintain permits, any increase in severance or similar taxes, and legislation or regulation relating to hydraulic fracturing or other drilling and completing techniques, climate and over-the-counter derivatives;

 

   

the impact of the adverse outcome of any material litigation against us or judicial decisions that affect us or our industry generally;

 

   

the effects of weather or power outages;

 

   

increased competition;

 

   

the financial impact of accounting regulations and critical accounting policies;

 

   

the comparative cost of alternative fuels;

 

   

credit risk relating to the risk of loss as a result of non-performance by our counterparties; and

 

   

any other factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC;

These and other risks and uncertainties are described under the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, and under Part 1, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Southwestern’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”), Part 2, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 and Part 2, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021. In addition, Southwestern may be subject to currently unforeseen risks that may have a materially adverse impact on it. For additional information, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference”.

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this prospectus occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Southwestern’s actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Southwestern specifically disclaims all responsibility to update publicly any information contained in a forward-looking statement or any forward-looking statement in its entirety and therefore disclaim any resulting liability for potentially related damages. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

Market and industry data and forecasts included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been obtained from independent industry sources as well as from research reports prepared for other purposes. Although we believe these third-party sources to be reliable, we have not independently verified the data obtained from these sources and we cannot assure you of the accuracy or completeness of the data. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and uncertainties as the other forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

NON GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Pre-tax PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure and generally differs from standardized measure, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, because it does not include the effects of income taxes on future net revenues. Neither pre-tax PV-10 nor standardized measure represents an estimate of the fair market value of our oil and natural gas properties. We understand that securities analysts use pre-tax PV-10 as one measure of the value of a company’s current proved reserves and to compare relative values among peer companies without regard to income taxes.

Total capitalization is non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as total debt plus total equity.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information from this prospectus to help you understand this Exchange Offer. You should read carefully the entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein for a more complete understanding of this Exchange Offer. You should read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 of this prospectus as well as in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021 for more information about important risks that you should consider before making an investment in the New Notes.

As used herein, references in this prospectus to “pro forma” or “on a pro forma basis,” mean giving pro forma effect to the Indigo Merger and, as applicable, the Montage Merger and certain related transactions, as set forth in the unaudited pro forma financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus, but not the Financing Transactions (as defined below). In addition, unless we specifically state otherwise, the information in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, does not give effect to the Indigo Merger.

Southwestern Energy Company

Southwestern is an independent energy company engaged in natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids exploration, development and production, which we refer to as “E&P.” We are also focused on creating and capturing additional value through our marketing business, which we refer to as “Marketing.” We conduct most of our businesses through subsidiaries, and we currently operate exclusively in the lower 48 United States.

E&P. Our primary business is the exploration for, and production of, natural gas, oil and NGLs, with our ongoing operations focused on the development of unconventional natural gas reservoirs located in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Our operations in northeast Pennsylvania, which we refer to as “Northeast Appalachia,” are primarily focused on the unconventional natural gas reservoir known as the Marcellus Shale. Our operations in West Virginia, Ohio and southwest Pennsylvania, which we refer to as “Southwest Appalachia,” are focused on the Marcellus Shale, the Utica and the Upper Devonian unconventional natural gas and oil reservoirs. Collectively, we refer to our properties in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia as “Appalachia.” We also have drilling rigs located in Appalachia, and we provide certain oilfield products and services, principally serving our E&P operations through vertical integration.

On November 13, 2020, we closed on our Agreement and Plan of Merger with Montage Resources Corporation (“Montage”) pursuant to which Montage merged with and into Southwestern, with Southwestern continuing as the surviving company (the “Montage Merger”). The Montage Merger expanded our footprint in Appalachia by supplementing our Northeast Appalachia and Southwest Appalachia operations and by expanding our operations into Ohio.

Marketing. Our marketing activities capture opportunities that arise through the marketing and transportation of natural gas, oil and NGLs primarily produced in our E&P operations.

Our principal executive offices are located at 10000 Energy Drive, Spring, Texas 77389-4954 and our telephone number is (832) 796-1000. Our website is www.swn.com. Any references in this prospectus to our website are inactive textual references only, and the information contained on or that can be accessed through our website (except for the SEC filings expressly incorporated by reference herein) is not incorporated in, and is not a part of, this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in connection with making an investment in the New Notes.


 

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Indigo

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC (as successor by conversion to Indigo Natural Resources LLC) (“Indigo”) is an independent natural gas company focused on the development and production of reserves from its large, contiguous acreage position in North Louisiana. In May of 2021, Indigo sold its Cotton Valley assets and as such all references to operating statistics of Indigo in this section exclude those interests. As of June 1, 2021, Indigo owned approximately 275,000 net effective acres in DeSoto, Sabine, Natchitoches and Red River Parishes in Louisiana. This includes approximately 149,000 net acres in the Haynesville Shale and approximately 126,000 net acres in the Bossier Shale.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, and adjusted for the sale of Cotton Valley assets, Indigo’s average daily net production from its properties was approximately 898 MMcf/d and 916 MMcf/d, respectively.

Indigo operated 326 gross producing unconventional wells as of December 31, 2020 with an average working interest of approximately 93%. Based on information provided by Indigo and adjusted for the Cotton Valley assets sold in May 2021, as of December 31, 2020, Indigo had estimated proved developed reserves of 1,013 Bcfe, substantially all of which was natural gas. In addition, Indigo’s estimated 2,076 Bcfe of proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2020 were based on Indigo’s development plans and may not necessarily reflect our development plans for these properties. Therefore, the proved undeveloped reserves we book may differ. Based on analysis by our management, we estimate that Indigo owned approximately 1,090 remaining locations as of December 31, 2020. We expect that the Indigo inventory will compete for investment within our existing portfolio, with current plans to maintain activity on the acquired acreage.

Recent Developments

Acquisition of Indigo Natural Resources LLC

On September 1, 2021, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 1, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among us, Ikon Acquisition Company, LLC (“Merger Sub”), Indigo, and Ibis Unitholder Representative, LLC solely in its capacity as the Unitholder Representative, Southwestern completed its previously announced acquisition of Indigo.

In accordance with the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, Southwestern acquired all of the outstanding membership interests of Indigo in exchange for $400 million in cash, subject to adjustment as provided in the Merger Agreement, and 337,827,171 shares of Southwestern common stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Indigo, with Indigo continuing as the surviving company (the “Indigo Merger”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwestern. The Merger Agreement provides that, at least ten days prior to the closing of the Indigo Merger, we can request that Indigo merges its subsidiaries into Indigo prior to the closing of the Indigo Merger (the “Indigo Subsidiary Consolidation”). We requested Indigo complete the Indigo Subsidiary Consolidation prior to the closing of the Indigo Merger. On September 1, 2021, Indigo completed the Indigo Subsidiary Consolidation.

Indigo Exchange Transaction

In connection with the Indigo Merger, we conducted an offer to eligible holders of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by Indigo (the “Indigo Notes”) to exchange their Indigo Notes for (i) up to $700 million aggregate principal amount of new 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by Southwestern and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of Southwestern and (ii) cash, and a related solicitation of consents to approve certain amendments to the indenture governing the Indigo Notes (the “Indigo Indenture”) to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and events of default in the Indigo Indenture (the “Indigo Exchange Transaction”). The


 

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Indigo Exchange Transaction expired on September 1, 2021, and the amendments of the Indigo Indenture became operative on September 3, 2021, the settlement date of the Indigo Exchange Transaction. Approximately $698.5 million aggregate principal amount of Indigo Notes, representing approximately 99.8% of the outstanding Indigo Notes, were exchanged for the Outstanding Notes. The $1,393,000 aggregate principal amount of Indigo Notes not exchanged remain outstanding pursuant to the Indigo Indenture, as so amended.

Issuance of Senior Notes Due 2030; Tender Offers for 2026 Notes and 2025 Notes

On August 30, 2021, we issued $1,200 million aggregate principal amount of new 5.375% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2030 Notes, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $1,184 million. We used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance and a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the Credit Agreement (i) to fund the purchase of approximately $422 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.500% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and $167 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) pursuant to our cash tender offers (the “Tender Offers”) and a related solicitation of consents from the holders of the 2026 Notes and (ii) to repay $385 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement. On September 13, 2021, the Tender Offers expired On September 14, 2021, we redeemed in full (the “Redemption”) any 2026 Notes not tendered and accepted for purchase in the related Tender Offer. We funded the Redemption with the remainder of the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2030 Notes and a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

We refer to the Indigo Exchange Transaction, including the issuance of the Outstanding Notes, the issuance of the 2030 Notes and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Tender Offers, and the redemption of any remaining outstanding 2026 Notes as of the redemption date as the “Financing Transactions.”


 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF SOUTHWESTERN

The following information as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information as of December 31, 2018 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information as of June 30, 2021 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information as of June 30, 2020 has been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, which is not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information is only a summary and does not provide all of the information contained in our financial statements.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of our management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information set forth therein. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year or any future periods.

In addition, the following information includes the results of Montage from November 13, 2020, the closing date of the Montage Merger. As a result, the comparability of the periods ended June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 to prior periods could be impacted as a result of the Montage Merger.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2021     2020     2020     2019     2018  
     (in millions)  

Financial Review

          

Operating revenues:

          

Exploration and production

   $ 1,409     $ 555     $ 1,348     $ 1,703     $ 2,525  

Marketing

     1,980       937       2,145       2,850       3,745  

Intersegment revenues

     (1,267     (490     (1,185     (1,515     (2,408
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,122       1,002       2,308       3,038       3,862  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

          

Marketing purchases

     689       449       946       1,320       1,229  

Operating and general and administrative expenses

     581       433       934       886       994  

(Gain) loss on sale of operating assets, net

     —         —         —         2       (17

Merger-related expenses

     4       —         41       —         —    

Restructuring charges

     7       12       16       11       39  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     196       197       357       471       560  

Impairments

     —         2,134       2,830       16       171  

Taxes, other than income taxes

     51       23       55       62       89  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,528       3,248       5,179       2,768       3,065  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     594       (2,246     (2,871     270       797  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     61       41       94       65       124  

Gain (loss) on derivatives

     (1,062     230       224       274       (118

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

     —         35       35       8       (17

 

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Table of Contents
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2021     2020     2020     2019     2018  
     (in millions)  

Other income (loss), net

     —         1       1       (7     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (529     (2,021     (2,705     480       538  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes:

          

Current

     —         (2     (2     (2     1  

Deferred

     —         408       409       (409     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —         406       407       (411     1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (529   $ (2,427   $ (3,112   $ 891     $ 537  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 617     $ 254     $ 528     $ 964     $ 1,223  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ (492   $ (470   $ (881   $ (1,045   $ 359  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ (136   $ 221     $ 361     $ (115   $ (2,297

Capitalization

          

Total debt

   $ 3,021     $ 2,440     $ 3,150     $ 2,242     $ 2,318  

Total equity

     (18     823       497       3,246       2,362  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization(1)

   $ 3,003     $ 3,263     $ 3,647     $ 5,488     $ 4,680  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,394     $ 4,555     $ 5,160     $ 6,717     $ 5,797  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Total capitalization is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as total debt plus total equity.


 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF INDIGO

The following information as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020, has been derived from Indigo’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in Southwestern’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information as of June 30, 2021 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from Indigo’s unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following information is only a summary and does not provide all of the information contained in Indigo’s financial statements.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of Indigo’s management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information set forth therein. The results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year or any future periods.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2021     2020     2020     2019  
     (in thousands)  

Financial Review

        

Revenues and other operating income:

        

Natural gas, NGL and oil revenue

   $ 468,954     $ 306,479     $ 717,878     $ 851,833  

(Loss) gain on derivative instruments

     (305,206     86,581       2,214       266,438  

Other

     76,016       5,496       47,721       18,205  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     239,764       398,556       767,813       1,136,476  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Lease operating expense, excluding ad valorem taxes

     37,043       50,655       92,988       99,631  

Gathering and transportation expense

     117,835       91,550       210,628       162,500  

Ad valorem taxes

     2,831       4,197       7,887       7,528  

Severance taxes, net of refunds received

     6,277       9,282       15,212       19,941  

Other operating costs, net

     71,794       3,014       46,414       11,859  

Exploration costs

     346       386       792       933  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     223,069       229,289       485,500       381,673  

Impairment

     25,672       3,976       5,149       4,657  

General and administrative expenses

     28,181       26,015       51,496       57,070  

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

     622,822       (15     (321     (472
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     1,135,870       418,349       915,745       745,320  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

     (896,106     (19,793     (147,932     391,156  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

        

Interest and other financing expense

     (18,638     (17,945     (34,766     (68,980

Income (Loss) from equity method investment in midstream joint venture

     (7,976     (6,848     184,161       590,860  

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

     (33,886     1,906       1,906       (30,182

Other, net

     477       66       211       287  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other (expense)

     (60,023     (22,821     151,512       491,985  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pretax (loss) income

     (956,129     42,614       3,580       883,141  

State income tax (expense) benefit

     (26     181       179       265  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2021     2020     2020     2019  
     (in thousands)  

Net (loss) income

     (956,155     42,433       3,759       883,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

     —         (10,964     (14,736     (21,109

Accretion of discount on preferred equity

     —         (2,770     (3,727     (5,391

Preferred tax distributions

     —         (4,180     (4,180     —    

Loss on redemption of preferred equity

     —         —         (28,026     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to members’ common equity

   $ (956,155   $ (60,347   $ (46,910   $ 856,906  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 281,213     $ 277,411     $ 489,300     $ 644,161  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ (165,640   $ (305,757   $ (221,782   $ 110,189  

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (125,090   $ (108,597   $ (369,155   $ (637,953

Capitalization

        

Total long-term debt

   $ 724,389       $ 779,414     $ 637,312  

Total equity (Preferred equity and Members’ common equity)

     896,576         1,908,117       2,218,750  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization(1)

   $ 1,620,965       $ 2,687,531     $ 2,856,062  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,207,952       $ 3,036,998     $ 3,335,000  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Total capitalization is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as total debt plus total equity.


 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL RESERVE AND OPERATING DATA OF SOUTHWESTERN

The following table provides an overall and categorical summary of our estimated natural gas, oil and NGL reserves, as of year-end 2020 based on average year prices, and our well count, net acreage and PV-10 as of December 31, 2020, and sets forth 2020 annual information related to production and capital investments for each of our operating areas:

 

     Appalachia              
     Northeast     Southwest     Other(1)     Total  

Estimated proved reserves(2):

        

Natural gas (Bcf):

        

Developed

     3,668       2,674       —         6,342  

Undeveloped

     1,248       1,591       —         2,839  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,916       4,265       —         9,181  

Crude oil (MMBbls):

        

Developed

     —         33.5       0.1       33.6  

Undeveloped

     —         24.5       —         24.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —         58.0       0.1       58.1  

Natural gas liquids (MMBbls):

        

Developed

     —         276.5       —         276.5  

Undeveloped

     —         133.6       —         133.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     —         410.1       —         410.1  

Total proved reserves (Bcfe)(3):

        

Developed

     3,668       4,534       1       8,203  

Undeveloped

     1,248       2,539       —         3,787  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,916       7,073       1       11,990  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percent of total

     41     59         100

Percent proved developed

     75     64     100     68

Percent proved undeveloped

     25     36     0     32

Production (Bcfe)

     473       407       —         880  

Capital investments (in millions)

   $ 362     $ 510     $ 27 (4)    $ 899  

Total gross producing wells(5)

     744       1,833       14       2,591  

Total net producing wells

     668       1,521       11       2,200  

Total net acreage

     217,296       571,922       22,001 (6)      811,219  

Net undeveloped acreage

     89,086       425,702       9,764 (6)      524,552  

PV-10:

        

Pre-tax (in millions)(7)

   $ 876     $ 974     $ (3 )(8)    $ 1,847  

PV of taxes (in millions)(7)

     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

After-tax (in millions)(7)

   $ 876     $ 974     $ (3 )(8)    $ 1,847  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percent of total

     47     53     0     100

Percent operated(9)

     98     100     97     97

 

(1)

Other reserves and acreage consists primarily of properties in Colorado.

 

(2)

Our estimated proved reserves were determined in accordance with SEC rules and used a 12-month unweighted arithmetic average Of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period January through December for the year 2020. For oil and NGL volumes, the SEC benchmark average WTI spot price of $39.57 per barrel for December 31, 2020 is then adjusted for quality, transportation fees and market


 

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Table of Contents
  differentials. For gas volumes, the SEC benchmark average NYMEX Henry Hub spot price of $1.98 per MMBtu for December 31, 2020 is then adjusted for energy content, transportation fees and market differentials. See “Risk Factors—Natural gas, oil and NGL prices greatly affect our revenues and thus profits, liquidity, growth, ability to repay our debt and the value of our assets.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

(3)

We have no reserves from synthetic gas, synthetic oil or nonrenewable natural resources intended to be upgraded into synthetic gas or oil. We used standard engineering and geoscience methods, or a combination of methodologies in determining estimates of material properties, including performance and test date analysis, offset statistical analogy of performance data, volumetric evaluation, including analysis of petrophysical parameters (including porosity, net pay, fluid saturations (i.e., water, oil and gas) and permeability) in combination with estimated reservoir parameters (including reservoir temperature and pressure, formation depth and formation volume factors), geological analysis, including structure and isopach maps and seismic analysis, including review of 2-D and 3-D data to ascertain faults, closure and other factors.

 

(4)

Other capital investments includes $9 million related to our water infrastructure project, $16 million related to our E&P service companies and $2 million related to other developmental activities.

 

(5)

Excludes 587 wells in Northeast Appalachia and 99 wells in Southeast Appalachia in which we only have an overriding royalty interest. These wells were included in the December 31, 2020 reserves calculation.

 

(6)

Excludes exploration licenses for 2,518,519 net acres in New Brunswick, Canada, which have been subject to a moratorium since 2015. Our exploration licenses expire, unless extended, on March 16, 2026.

 

(7)

Pre-tax PV-10 (a non-GAAP measure) is one measure of the value of a company’s proved reserves that we believe is used by securities analysts to compare relative values among peer companies without regard to income taxes. The reconciling difference in pre-tax PV-10 and the after-tax PV-10, or standardized measure, is the discounted value of future income taxes on the estimated cash flows from our proved natural gas, oil and NGL reserves. Our existing tax attributes, including net operating losses and remaining depreciable tax basis related to our natural gas and oil properties, more than offset our future net operating income, resulting in no tax effect to our PV-10 calculation for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

(8)

Includes future asset retirement obligations outside of Appalachia.

 

(9)

Based upon pre-tax PV-10 of proved developed producing activities.


 

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The following table sets forth information for the six months ended June 30, 2021 related to production for each of our operating areas:

 

Production volumes:

   For the six months
ended June 30, 2021
 

Natural Gas (Bcf)

  

Northeast Appalachia

     241  

Southwest Appalachia

     192  
  

 

 

 

Total

     433  

Oil (MBbls)

  

Southwest Appalachia

     3,484  

Other

     9  
  

 

 

 

Total

     3,493  

NGL (MBbls)

  

Southwest Appalachia

     15,242  

Other

     2  
  

 

 

 

Total

     15,244  

Production volumes by area: (Bcfe)

  

Northeast Appalachia

     241  

Southwest Appalachia

     304  
  

 

 

 

Total

     545  
  

 

 

 

Production percentage: (Bcfe)

  

Natural gas

     79

Oil

     4

NGL

     17

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL RESERVE AND OPERATING DATA OF INDIGO

The following table presents Indigo’s estimated net proved natural gas, NGLs and oil reserves as of December 31, 2020, based on information provided by Indigo. The estimated proved reserves have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

     December 31,
2020
 

Proved Developed Reserves(1):

  

Natural gas (MMcf)

     1,191,034  

NGLs (MBbls)

     5,521  

Oil (MBbls)

     797  
  

 

 

 

Equivalent (MMcfe)

     1,228,943  

Proved Undeveloped Reserves(2):

  

Natural gas (MMcf)

     2,459,083  

NGLs (MBbls)

     11,899  

Oil (MBbls)

     1,061  
  

 

 

 

Equivalent (MMcfe)

     2,536,841  

Proved Reserves(3):

  

Natural gas (MMcf)

     3,650,117  

NGLs (MBbls)

     17,420  

Oil (MBbls)

     1,858  
  

 

 

 

Equivalent (MMcfe)

     3,765,784  

PV-10 (in thousands)

   $ 649,212  

 

(1)

The Indigo historical proved developed reserves as of December 31, 2020 include 179 Bcf of natural gas reserves, 5,484 MBbls of NGL reserves and 688 MBbls of oil reserves associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent proved developed reserves associated with the sold Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 216 Bcfe as of December 31, 2020.

 

(2)

The Indigo historical proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2020 include 383 Bcf of natural gas reserves, 11,899 MBbls of NGL reserves and 1,061 MBbls of oil reserves associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent proved undeveloped reserves associated with the sold Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 461 Bcfe as of December 31, 2020.

 

(3)

The Indigo historical total proved reserves as of December 31, 2020 include 562 Bcf of natural gas reserves, 17,383 MBbls of NGL reserves and 1,749 MBbls of oil reserves associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent proved reserves associated with the sold Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 677 Bcfe as of December 31, 2020.


 

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Production and Price History

The following table sets forth information regarding Indigo’s net production of natural gas, NGLs and oil, and certain price and cost information for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended
December 31
 
     2020(1)      2019(2)  

Net production volumes:

     

Natural gas (MMcf)

     367,092        331,306  

NGLs (MBbls)

     1,063        1,234  

Oil (MBbls)

     168        203  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (MMcfe)

     374,478        339,928  

Average daily net production volumes:

     

Natural gas (Mcf/d)

     1,002,984        907,688  

NGLs (Bbls/d)

     2,904        3,381  

Oil (Bbls/d)

     459        556  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (Mcfe/d)

     1,023,164        931,310  

 

(1)

Indigo historical production for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes 32,024 MMcf of natural gas, 1,058 MBbls of NGLs and 136 MBbls of oil production associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent production associated with the divested Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 39,186 MMcfe for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

(2)

Indigo historical production for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes 44,572 MMcf of natural gas, 1,230 MBbls of NGLs and 166 MBbls of oil production associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent production associated with the divested Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 52,950 MMcfe for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

     Year Ended
December 31
 
     2020(1)      2019  

Average realized price, before effects of derivative settlements:

     

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

   $ 1.90      $ 2.47  

NGLs ($/Bbl)

     13.31        18.36  

Oil ($/Bbl)

     33.92        54.93  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total ($/Mcfe)

   $ 1.92      $ 2.51  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses (per Mcfe):

     

Lease operating, excluding ad valorem taxes

   $ 0.25      $ 0.29  

Gathering and transportation expense

   $ 0.56      $ 0.48  

Ad valorem taxes

   $ 0.02      $ 0.02  

Severance taxes, net of refunds received

   $ 0.04      $ 0.06  

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

   $ 1.30      $ 1.12  

General and administrative

   $ 0.14      $ 0.17  

General and administrative expense – excluding non-cash equity compensation and non-recurring, non-cash items

   $ 0.11      $ 0.12  

 

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The following tables set forth information regarding Indigo’s net production of natural gas, NGLs and oil for the periods indicated:

 

Net production volume:

   For the six months
ended June 30,
2021(1)
 

Natural gas (MMcf)

     172,192  

NGLs (MBbls)

     307  

Oil (MBbls)

     57  
  

 

 

 

Total (MMcfe)

     174,376  

Average daily net production volume:

  

Natural gas (Mcf/d)

     951,337  

NGLs (Bbls/d)

     1,696  

Oil (Bbls/d)

     315  
  

 

 

 

Total (Mcfe/d)

     963,403  

 

(1)

Indigo historical production for the six months ended June 30, 2021 includes 9,771 MMcf of natural gas, 305 MBbls of NGLs and 43 MBbls of oil production associated with the Cotton Valley oil and gas properties which were sold in the second quarter of 2021 prior to the signing of the Indigo Merger Agreement. The total equivalent production associated with the divested Cotton Valley oil and gas properties was 11,853 Mmcfe for the six months ended June 30, 2021.


 

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information about our financial condition and results of operations on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Indigo Merger and, as applicable, the Montage Merger and certain related transactions, but not this Exchange Offer, the Financing Transaction or the use of proceeds of the Financing Transaction, as set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the six months ended June 30, 2021 give effect to the Mergers as if they had been consummated on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 has been prepared to give effect to the Indigo Merger as if it had been consummated on June 30, 2021.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and the consolidated financial statements and related notes of Montage and Indigo incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with the more detailed information as set forth in the unaudited pro forma financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference and related notes included in this prospectus. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information set forth below has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the combined financial condition or results of operations actually would have been had the applicable transaction been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presented below does not purport to project the combined financial condition or operating results for any future period.

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2021
     Year Ended
December 31,
2020
 
     (in millions)  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations:

     

Revenue

   $ 2,667      $ 3,466  

Net income (loss)

   $ (789    $ (3,109

 

     At June 30,
2021
 
     (in millions)  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet (at end of period):

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43  

Total assets

   $ 8,870  

Total debt

   $ 4,153  

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,739  

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

The following is a brief summary of certain terms of the Exchange Offer. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For additional information regarding the Exchange Offer and the New Notes, see “Description of the Exchange Offer” and “Description of the New Notes.”

 

Outstanding Notes

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029.

 

  The Outstanding Notes are fully unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by the subsidiary guarantors subject to the terms of the Indenture governing the Outstanding Notes.

 

New Notes

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029.

 

  The New Notes will be fully unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by the subsidiary guarantors, as, and subject to the terms described under “Description of the New Notes—The Guarantees”.

 

The Exchange Offer

We are offering to exchange up to $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029, which have been registered under the Securities Act, in exchange for your Outstanding Notes. The form and terms the New Notes are substantially identical to the form and terms of the Outstanding Notes, except that the New Notes have been registered under the Securities Act. The New Notes, however, will not contain transfer restrictions and will not have the registration rights applicable to the Outstanding Notes.

 

  To exchange your Outstanding Notes, you must validly tender them, and we must accept them. We will accept and exchange all Outstanding Notes that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw, subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer. We will issue registered New Notes promptly after the expiration of the Exchange Offer with respect to the Outstanding Notes.

 

Resale of New Notes

Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC as detailed in a series of no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that, as long as you are not a broker-dealer, the New Notes offered in the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as long as:

 

   

you are acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution,” as defined in the Securities Act, of the New Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; and


 

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you are not an “affiliate” of ours or the subsidiary guarantors within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

  If any of these conditions is not satisfied and you transfer any New Notes issued to you in the Exchange Offer without delivering a proper prospectus or without qualifying for a registration exemption, you may incur liability under the Securities Act. Moreover, our belief that transfers of New Notes would be permitted without registration or prospectus delivery under the conditions described above is based on SEC interpretations given to other, unrelated issuers in similar exchange offers. We cannot assure you that the SEC would make a similar interpretation with respect to the Exchange Offer. We will not be responsible for or indemnify you against any liability you may incur under the Securities Act.

 

Broker-Dealer

Any broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a prospectus) meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any offer to resell, resale or other transfer of such New Notes. By so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. We have agreed that, during the period not less than 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders of the Outstanding Notes, subject to extension in limited circumstances, a participating broker dealer may use this prospectus for an offer to sell, a resale or other transfer of New Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes which it acquired through market making or other trading activities.

 

Expiration Date

The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2021, unless we extend the Exchange Offer with respect to the Outstanding Notes in our sole and absolute discretion.

 

Accrued Interest on the New Notes and the Outstanding Notes

The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the corresponding Outstanding Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from August 1, 2021. If your Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange, then you will receive interest on the New Notes and not on the Outstanding Notes. Any Outstanding Notes not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest according to their terms.

 

Conditions

The Exchange Offer is subject to customary conditions. We may assert or waive these conditions in our sole and absolute discretion. If we materially amend the Exchange Offer, we will as promptly as practicable distribute a prospectus to the holders of the Outstanding Notes disclosing the change and extend the Exchange Offer, to the


 

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extent required by applicable law. See “The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” for more information regarding conditions to the Exchange Offer.

 

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

All of the Outstanding Notes were issued in book-entry form, and all of the Outstanding Notes are currently represented by global certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). We have confirmed with DTC that the Outstanding Notes may be tendered using Automated Tender Offer Program (“ATOP”). The exchange agent will establish an account with DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer promptly after the commencement of the Exchange Offer, and DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the Exchange Offer by causing DTC to transfer their Outstanding Notes to the exchange agent using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an “agent’s message” to the exchange agent. The agent’s message will state that DTC has received instructions from the participant to tender Outstanding Notes and that the participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this prospectus.

 

  Holders of Outstanding Notes that tender Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer are deemed to represent that the following are true:

 

   

the holder is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of its business;

 

   

at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” of the New Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; and

 

   

the holder is not an “affiliate” of ours or the subsidiary guarantors within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

  Do not send certificates representing Outstanding Notes or other documents to us or DTC. Send these documents only to the exchange agent at the appropriate address given in this prospectus. We could reject your tender of Outstanding Notes if you tender them in a manner that does not comply with the instructions provided in this prospectus.

 

Special Procedures for Tenders by Beneficial Owners

If you are a beneficial owner whose Outstanding Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer, you should promptly contact the person in whose name the Outstanding Notes are registered and instruct that person to tender on your behalf. If you wish to tender in the Exchange Offer on your own behalf, delivering your Outstanding Notes, you must either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Outstanding Notes in your name or obtain a properly completed bond


 

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power from the person in whose name the Outstanding Notes are registered.

 

Consequences of Failure to Exchange Outstanding Notes

Outstanding Notes that are not exchanged in the Exchange Offer will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer and resaleability and may only be sold in accordance with the transfer restrictions.

 

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw your tender of Outstanding Notes under the Exchange Offer at any time before the Exchange Offer with respect to the Outstanding Notes expires. Any withdrawal must be in accordance with the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal Rights.” If we decide for any reason not to accept any Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange, such Outstanding Notes will be returned to the registered holder at our expense promptly after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. In the case of the Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, any withdrawn or unaccepted Outstanding Notes will be credited to the tendering holder’s account at DTC.

 

Effect on Holders of Outstanding Notes

As a result of making the Exchange Offer, and upon acceptance for exchange of all Outstanding Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, we will have fulfilled our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined herein). Accordingly, there will be no liquidated or other damages payable under the Registration Rights Agreement if the Outstanding Notes were eligible for exchange, but not exchanged, in the applicable Exchange Offer.

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

Your exchange of Outstanding Notes for New Notes in the Exchange Offer is not expected to be treated as a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the Exchange Offer.

 

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of the Outstanding Notes for the New Notes under the Exchange Offer.

 

Acceptance of Outstanding Notes and Delivery of Outstanding Notes

We will accept for exchange any and all Outstanding Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer. We will complete the Exchange Offer and issue the New Notes promptly after the Expiration Date.

 

Exchange Agent

Regions Bank is serving as exchange agent for the Exchange Offer. The address and telephone number of the exchange agent are provided in this prospectus under “The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent.”

 

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SUMMARY OF TERMS OF NEW NOTES

The form and terms of the New Notes will be substantially identical to those of the Outstanding Notes, except that (i) the New Notes will have been registered under the Securities Act, (ii) the New Notes will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act, (iii) the New Notes will not be entitled to the registration rights that apply to the Outstanding Notes and (iv) the New Notes will not contain provisions relating to an increase in the interest rate borne by the Outstanding Notes under circumstances related to the timing of the Exchange Offer.

The New Notes will evidence the same debt as the Outstanding Notes and will each be governed by the Indenture, under which the Outstanding Notes were issued. The summary below describes the principal terms of the New Notes. For additional information regarding the New Notes, see the “Description of the New Notes” sections of this prospectus.

 

Issuer

Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation.

 

Securities Offered

Up to $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by Southwestern.

 

Maturity Date

February 1, 2029

 

Interest Payment Dates

We will pay interest on the New Notes on February 1 and August 1 of each year. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from the later of August 1, 2021, and the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Outstanding Notes surrendered in exchange therefor.

 

Interest Rates

5.375% per annum.

 

Optional Redemption

The New Notes to be issued in such exchange offer have the same optional redemption provisions as the Outstanding Notes.

 

  For more information on the optional redemption provisions of the New Notes, see “Description of the New Notes—Optional Redemption.”

 

Guarantees

The New Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of our direct and indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries, that guarantee our existing Credit Agreement and our existing outstanding senior notes, subject to release or termination in the future under certain circumstances as set forth under “Description of the New Notes—The Guarantees”.

 

  In the event of insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of any subsidiary that is not a guarantor of the New Notes, all of that subsidiary’s creditors (including trade creditors) would be entitled to payment in full out of that subsidiary’s assets before we or any of our creditors would be entitled to any payment.

 

Certain Covenants

The New Notes will each be governed by the Indenture under which the Outstanding Notes were issued. The Indenture that will govern the


 

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New Notes contains covenants that, among other things, will limit our ability to permit our subsidiaries, with certain exceptions, to incur debt secured by liens and to engage in sale and leaseback transactions. These covenants also restrict our and the subsidiary guarantors’ ability, with certain exceptions, to merge or consolidate with another entity. See “Description of the New Notes—Certain Conditions.”

 

Priority

The New Notes will be

 

   

our senior unsecured debt obligations;

 

   

equal in right of payment with all of our other present and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes;

 

   

effectively subordinated to any of our secured indebtedness, including the indebtedness under our Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness;

 

   

guaranteed by the guarantors on a senior unsecured basis; and

 

   

structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of subsidiaries that are not guarantors.

 

  The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional senior unsecured indebtedness that we may incur, and such indebtedness would be equal in right of payment with the New Notes. In addition, although the covenants in the Indenture limit the amount of indebtedness that may be secured by our principal properties and by equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries without securing the New Notes on at least an equal and ratable basis, we will be able to incur additional secured indebtedness without so securing the New Notes. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting senior indebtedness, some or all of which may be secured indebtedness.

 

Form and Denomination

The New Notes will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

DTC Eligibility

The New Notes will be represented by global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or its nominee. See “Description of the New Notes—Book-Entry System.”

 

Registration Rights

In connection with such exchange offer, Southwestern, the guarantors of the New Notes, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. (the “Dealer Managers”) entered into the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

 

In addition, Southwestern and the guarantors of the New Notes have agreed to use reasonable best efforts to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the New Notes under the Securities Act in the event that it determines that a registered exchange offer is not


 

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available or may not be completed because, among other reasons set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC or if the registered exchange offer is not for any other reason completed within 365 days.

 

  If Southwestern does not comply with these obligations, Southwestern will be required to pay additional interest on the New Notes under specified circumstances.

 

  The New Notes will not have the registration rights applicable to the Outstanding Notes.

 

No Prior Market

The New Notes will be new securities for which there is currently no market or a limited market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the New Notes on any national securities exchange. A liquid or active trading market for any series of the New Notes may not develop. If an active trading market for a series of New Notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of such New Notes may be adversely affected.

 

Governing Law

New York

 

Risk Factors

Investing in the New Notes involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 22 of this prospectus as well as Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Part 2, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 and Part 2, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021 for more information about important risks that you should consider before making an investment in the New Notes.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in the New Notes involves risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus and each of the risks described below, as well as the risk factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Southwestern’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and Southwestern’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein when evaluating an investment in the New Notes. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect Southwestern’s or Indigo’s businesses, financial condition and results of operations and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects Southwestern’s or Indigo’s businesses, operations, financial conditions and operating results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of such risks, such as those relating to Southwestern’s or Indigo’s level of indebtedness, Southwestern’s or Indigo’s need to generate sufficient cash flows to service such indebtedness, and Southwestern’s or Indigo’s ability to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness. Although we believe we have identified and discussed below the material risks affecting Southwestern’s and Indigo’s businesses, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we do not currently believe to be material that may adversely affect such businesses, financial conditions and results of operations in the future.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offer

There are significant consequences if you fail to exchange your Outstanding Notes.

We did not register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, nor do we intend to do so after completion of the Exchange Offer. As a result, the Outstanding Notes may only be transferred in limited circumstances under the securities laws. If you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer, you will lose your right to have the Outstanding Notes registered under the Securities Act, subject to certain limitations. If you continue to hold Outstanding Notes after the Exchange Offer, you may be unable to sell the Outstanding Notes. Outstanding Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted or that are tendered but withdrawn will, following the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to existing transfer restrictions and will continue to have a separate CUSIP number from the New Notes.

You must follow the appropriate procedures to tender your Outstanding Notes or they will not be exchanged.

The New Notes will be issued in exchange for the Outstanding Notes only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of the Outstanding Notes or a book-entry confirmation related thereto or an agent’s message and all other required documentation. If you want to tender your Outstanding Notes in exchange for New Notes, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither we nor the exchange agent are under any duty to give you notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes for exchange. Outstanding Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions. In addition, if you tender the Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New Notes, you will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements.

Risks Relating to the New Notes

We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and own a substantial portion of our operating assets, causing us to be dependent upon their distributions to make payments on the New Notes.

As we are a holding company, our subsidiaries and affiliates conduct our operations and own a substantial portion of our operating assets. As a result, our ability to make required payments on the New Notes depends on

 

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the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to make distributions, dividends, loans or advances to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions, dividends, loans or advances to us, and to engage in other transactions with us, may be restricted by, among other things, agreements of indebtedness, applicable state laws and other laws and regulations. If we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to pay the principal amount of the New Notes at maturity, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as a refinancing of the New Notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance the New Notes on acceptable terms or at all.

The New Notes and the guarantees will be unsecured obligations and will be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The New Notes and the guarantees will be general unsecured senior obligations ranking effectively subordinated to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness (including all borrowings under our Credit Agreement) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. If we or a guarantor is declared bankrupt, becomes insolvent or is liquidated or reorganized, the holders of our secured indebtedness or the secured indebtedness of such guarantor will be entitled to be paid in full from the proceeds of the assets, if any, securing such indebtedness before any payment may be made with respect to the New Notes or the affected guarantees. Holders of the New Notes will participate ratably in any remaining proceeds with all holders of our unsecured indebtedness, including unsecured indebtedness incurred after the New Notes are issued that does not rank junior to the New Notes, including trade payables and all of our other general indebtedness, based on the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor. In any of the foregoing events, there may not be sufficient funds to pay amounts due on the New Notes. As a result, holders of the New Notes would likely receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness.

Additionally, the New Notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of our existing or future subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the New Notes. In the event of insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of any subsidiary that is not a guarantor, all of that subsidiary’s creditors (including trade creditors) would be entitled to payment in full out of that subsidiary’s assets before we or any of our creditors would be entitled to any payment. As of June 30, 2021, our non-guarantor subsidiaries held less than 1% of our total assets and had no material liabilities.

Our current and future levels of indebtedness may adversely affect our results and limit our growth.

As of June 30, 2021, we had long-term indebtedness, excluding unamortized issuance expense and debt discount, of $3,021 million and, $568 million of borrowings and $233 million of letters of credit under our Credit Agreement, resulting in borrowing availability under our Credit Agreement of approximately $1,199 million. The terms of the indentures governing our outstanding senior notes, our Credit Agreement and the lease agreements relating to our drilling rigs, other equipment and headquarters building, which we collectively refer to as our “financing agreements,” impose restrictions on our ability and, in some cases, the ability of our subsidiaries to take a number of actions that we may otherwise desire to take, which may include, without limitation, one or more of the following:

 

   

incurring additional debt;

 

   

redeeming stock or redeeming debt;

 

   

making investments;

 

   

creating liens on our assets; and

 

   

selling assets.

 

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The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants including, among others, the following covenants:

 

   

a prohibition against incurring debt, subject to permitted exceptions;

 

   

a restriction on creating liens on assets, subject to permitted exceptions;

 

   

restrictions on mergers and asset dispositions;

 

   

restrictions on use of proceeds, investments, transactions with affiliates, or change of principal business; and

 

   

maintenance of the following financial covenants:

 

   

Minimum current ratio of no less than 1.00 to 1.00, whereby current ratio is defined as the Company’s consolidated current assets (including unused commitments under the credit agreement, but excluding non-cash derivative assets) to consolidated current liabilities (excluding non-cash derivative obligations and current maturities of long-term debt).

 

   

Maximum total net leverage ratio of no greater than 4.00 to 1.00. Total net leverage ratio is defined as total debt less cash on hand (up to the lesser of 10% of credit limit or $150 million) divided by consolidated EBITDAX for the last four consecutive quarters. For purposes of calculating consolidated EBITDAX, we can include the Montage EBITDAX prior to the Montage Merger for the same rolling twelve-month period. EBITDAX, as defined in our Credit Agreement, excludes the effects of interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, income tax, any non-cash impacts from impairments, certain non-cash hedging activities, stock-based compensation expense, non-cash gains or losses on asset sales, unamortized issuance cost, unamortized debt discount and certain restructuring costs.

In conjunction with the October 2020 redetermination process under our Credit Agreement, we entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement to, among other matters:

 

   

limit our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to $200 million when loans under our Credit Agreement are outstanding, subject to certain exceptions; and

 

   

increase the applicable rate by 25 basis points on loans outstanding under our Credit Agreement.

Although we do not anticipate any violations of our financial covenants, our ability to comply with these financial covenants depends in part on the success of our development program and upon factors beyond our control, such as the market prices for natural gas, oil and NGLs.

Although the Indenture that will govern the New Notes and our existing indentures governing our outstanding senior notes contain covenants limiting liens and sale and leaseback transactions, these covenants contain exceptions that would allow us to create, grant or incur certain liens or security interests. Moreover, these indentures do not contain any limitations on the ability of us or our subsidiaries to incur debt, pay dividends or make investments, or limit the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us. Such activities may, however, be limited by our other financing agreements in certain circumstances.

Our level of indebtedness and off-balance sheet obligations, and the covenants contained in our financing agreements and other debt agreements, could have important consequences for our operations, including:

 

   

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to required payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for working capital, capital investing and other general business activities;

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital investing, acquisitions and general corporate and other activities;

 

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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

 

   

detracting from our ability to successfully withstand a downturn in our business or the economy generally.

Our ability to comply with the covenants and other restrictions in our financing agreements may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic and financial conditions.

Failure to comply with the covenants and other restrictions could lead to an event of default and the acceleration of our obligations under our outstanding senior notes, credit facilities or other financing or debt agreements, and in the case of the lease agreements for drilling rigs, compressors and pressure pumping equipment, loss of use of the equipment. In particular, the occurrence of other risks, such as declines in commodity prices, increases in basis differentials and inability to access markets, could reduce our profits and thus the cash we have to fulfill our financial obligations. If we are unable to satisfy our obligations with cash on hand, we could attempt to refinance such debt, sell assets or repay such debt with the proceeds from an equity offering. We cannot assure that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our debt, to meet our lease obligations, or that future borrowings, equity financings or proceeds from the sale of assets will be available to pay or refinance such debt or obligations. The terms of our financing agreements and other debt agreements may also prohibit us from taking such actions. Factors that will affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our capital stock, a refinancing of our debt or a sale of assets include financial market conditions and our market value and operating performance at the time of such offering or other financing. We cannot assure that any such proposed offering, refinancing or sale of assets can be successfully completed or, if completed, that the terms will be favorable to us.

We may be unable to repay the New Notes when due or repurchase the New Notes when we are required to do so.

At final maturity of the New Notes or in the event of acceleration of the New Notes following an event of default, the entire outstanding principal amount of the New Notes will become due and payable. Upon a change of control event (as described herein), we will be required to offer to repurchase in cash all of our outstanding senior notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the New Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the repurchase date. If we were unable to make the required payments or repurchases of the New Notes, it would constitute an event of default under the Indenture related to the New Notes and under our other financing agreements and other debt agreements. The indentures for our outstanding senior notes and the senior notes we may issue in the future, including in exchange for the Indigo Notes in the Exchange Offer, also provide or may in the future provide for repurchase rights upon certain change of control events, and our Credit Agreement requires repayment of amounts outstanding thereunder and certain other amounts. Any future debt agreements may have similar provisions. As a result, holders of our other debt securities may have the ability to require us to repurchase their debt securities before or at the same time as the holders of the New Notes offered hereby would have such repurchase rights. It is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at maturity, upon acceleration or at the time of the change of control event or other fundamental change to make the required repurchase of the New Notes and our other debt securities. In addition, certain change of control events would constitute an event of default under our Credit Agreement, which could lead to a default on the New Notes and our other debt securities or an inability to make a change of control payment on the New Notes and our other debt securities.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to avoid or limit the New Notes and guarantees, and to require holders of the New Notes to return payments previously made by us or the guarantors.

Our creditors and the creditors of the guarantors of the New Notes could challenge the issuance of the New Notes or the subsidiary guarantors’ issuance of their guarantees, respectively, as fraudulent conveyances or on

 

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other grounds such as equitable subordination. Under the federal bankruptcy law and similar provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, the issuance of the New Notes and the guarantees could be avoided (that is, cancelled or limited) as fraudulent transfers or subordinated to other creditors if a court determined that the company, at the time it issued the New Notes, or any guarantor, at the time it issued the guarantee (or, in some jurisdictions, when payment became due under the guarantee):

 

   

issued the New Notes or guarantees, as the case may be, with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud its existing or future creditors; or

 

   

received less than reasonably equivalent value or did not receive fair consideration for the issuance of the New Notes or guarantees, as the case may be, and if the company or any guarantor:

 

   

was insolvent or rendered insolvent at the time it issued the New Notes or issued the guarantee, as applicable;

 

   

was engaged in a business or transaction for which the company’s or guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

   

intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts generally as they mature.

If the New Notes or guarantees were avoided or limited under fraudulent transfer or other laws, any claim you may make against us or the applicable guarantor for amounts payable on the New Notes or related guarantee would be unenforceable to the extent of such avoidance or limitation or may be subordinated to the claims of other creditors. Moreover, the court could order you to return any payments previously made by us or such guarantor.

The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a party would be considered insolvent if:

 

   

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of its assets;

 

   

the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

   

it could not pay its debts as they become due.

We cannot be sure what standard a court would apply in making these determinations or, regardless of the standard, that a court would not avoid the New Notes or guarantees.

The Indenture governing the New Notes provides that the issuance of the New Notes and the obligation of each guarantor under its guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent them from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. We cannot assure you that this limitation will protect the issuance of the New Notes or the guarantees from fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer challenges or, if it does, that the remaining amount due and collectible would suffice, if necessary, to pay the New Notes in full when due.

Not all of our subsidiaries are required to guarantee the New Notes, and we can release guarantees from time to time without the consent of holders of the New Notes.

Under the terms of the Indenture, only certain of our subsidiaries are required to guarantee the New Notes or our outstanding notes. In addition, holders of the New Notes will be deemed to have consented to the release of the guarantee of the New Notes provided by a subsidiary guarantor, without any action required on the part of the

 

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trustee or any holder of the New Notes, upon such subsidiary guarantor ceasing to guarantee or be a borrower under our Credit Agreement or certain other indebtedness of ours or another subsidiary guarantor under the circumstances described under “Description of the New Notes—The Guarantees.” In addition, a subsidiary guarantor will be released and relieved from all its obligations under its subsidiary guarantee in the other circumstances set out under “Description of the New Notes—The Guarantees.” Any such release would result in any debt or other obligations of the applicable subsidiary becoming structurally senior to the New Notes.

A downgrade in our credit rating could negatively impact our cost of and ability to access capital and our liquidity.

Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could impact our ability to access debt markets in the future to refinance existing debt or obtain additional funds, affect the market value of our notes and increase our borrowing costs. Such ratings are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to us, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency of the likelihood we will be able to repay our debt at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of each rating may be obtained from the applicable rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if, in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant.

Actual downgrades in our credit ratings may also impact our interest costs and liquidity. The interest rates under certain of our notes increases as credit ratings fall. Many of our existing commercial contracts contain, and future commercial contracts may contain, provisions permitting the counterparty to require increased security upon the occurrence of a downgrade in our credit rating. Providing additional security, such as posting letters of credit, could reduce our available cash or our liquidity under our Credit Agreement for other purposes. We had $233 million of letters of credit outstanding at June 30, 2021. The amount of additional financial assurance would depend on the severity of the downgrade from the credit rating agencies, and a downgrade could result in a decrease in our liquidity.

The credit ratings assigned to the New Notes may not reflect all risks of an investment in our notes.

We expect that the New Notes will be rated by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. These credit ratings are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the New Notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the applicable rating agencies if, in such rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. Agency credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market value of our notes and increase our corporate borrowing costs.

We may not be able to repurchase the New Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

We may not be able to repurchase the New Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event because we may not have sufficient funds. Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, holders of the New Notes may require us to make an offer to purchase the New Notes for cash at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereto, but not including, the date of purchase. Our failure to purchase such tendered notes upon the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event would result in an event of default under the Indenture governing the New Notes and a cross-default under the agreements governing certain of our other indebtedness which may result in the acceleration of such indebtedness requiring us to repay that indebtedness immediately. If such a Change of Control Triggering Event

 

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were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to repay any such accelerated indebtedness. In addition, you may not be able to require us to repurchase the New Notes under the change of control provisions in the Indenture in the event of certain important corporate events, such as a leveraged recapitalization (which would increase the level of our indebtedness, potentially resulting in a downgrade of our credit ratings, thereby negatively affecting the value of the New Notes), reorganization, restructuring, merger or other similar transaction, unless such transaction constitutes a “Change of Control Triggering Event” under the Indenture. Such a transaction may not involve a change in voting power or beneficial ownership or, even if it does, may not involve a change that constitutes a “Change of Control Triggering Event” that would trigger our obligation to purchase the New Notes. Therefore, if an event occurs that does not constitute a “Change of Control Triggering Event,” we will not be required to make an offer to purchase the New Notes and you may be required to continue to hold your notes despite the event.

Active trading markets for the New Notes may not develop, which could make it more difficult for holders of the New Notes to sell their notes and/or result in a lower price at which holders would be able to sell their notes.

There is no existing market for the New Notes. The New Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. There can be no assurance that a trading market for the New Notes will ever develop or will be maintained. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the New Notes, your ability to sell your notes or the price at which you will be able to sell your notes. Future trading prices of the New Notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the New Notes and the market for similar securities. Any trading market that develops would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including:

 

   

time remaining to the maturity of the New Notes;

 

   

outstanding amount of the New Notes;

 

   

the terms related to optional redemption of the New Notes; and

 

   

level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.

If trading markets do develop, changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets could adversely affect the market prices of the New Notes.

The market prices for the New Notes will depend on many factors, including:

 

   

our credit ratings with major credit rating agencies;

 

   

the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies similar to us;

 

   

our financial condition, financial performance and future prospects, including relative to guidance or analyst estimates;

 

   

the overall condition of the financial markets; and

 

   

the other risks detailed in this document and in our other filings with the SEC.

The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the prices of the New Notes.

 

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Risks Related to the Indigo Merger

Southwestern may be unable to successfully integrate Indigo’s business into its business or achieve the anticipated benefits of the Indigo Merger.

The success of the Indigo Merger will depend, in part, Southwestern’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining Southwestern’s and Indigo’s businesses, and there can be no assurance that Southwestern will be able to successfully integrate or otherwise realize the anticipated benefits of the Indigo Merger. Difficulties in integrating Southwestern and Indigo may result in the combined company performing differently than expected, in operational challenges, or in the failure to realize anticipated expense-related efficiencies. Potential difficulties that may be encountered in the integration process include, among others:

 

   

the inability to successfully integrate Indigo in a manner that permits the achievement of full revenue, expected cash flows and cost savings anticipated from the Indigo Merger;

 

   

not realizing anticipated operating synergies;

 

   

integrating personnel from Indigo and the loss of key employees;

 

   

potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the Indigo Merger;

 

   

integrating relationships with customers, vendors and business partners;

 

   

performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by completing the Indigo Merger and integrating Indigo’s operations;

 

   

the impact of Southwestern’s recent acquisition of Montage Resources Corporation and continuing integration related to the acquisition; and

 

   

the disruption of, or the loss of momentum in, Southwestern’s ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies.

Southwestern’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Indigo Merger will depend in part upon whether it can integrate Indigo’s business into Southwestern’s existing business in an efficient and effective manner. Southwestern may not be able to accomplish this integration process successfully. The successful acquisition of producing properties, including those owned by Indigo, requires an assessment of several factors, including:

 

   

recoverable reserves;

 

   

future natural gas and oil prices and their appropriate differentials;

 

   

availability and cost of transportation of production to markets;

 

   

availability and cost of drilling equipment and of skilled personnel;

 

   

development and operating costs including access to water and potential environmental and other liabilities; and

 

   

regulatory, permitting and similar matters.

The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, Southwestern has performed a review of the subject properties that it believes to be generally consistent with industry practices. The review was based on Southwestern’s analysis of historical production data, assumptions regarding capital expenditures and anticipated production declines. Data used in such review was furnished by Indigo or obtained from publicly available sources. Southwestern’s review may not reveal all existing or potential problems or permit Southwestern to fully assess the deficiencies and potential recoverable reserves for all of the acquired properties, and the reserves and production related to the assets and operations of Indigo may differ materially after such data is reviewed further by Southwestern. Inspections will not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is

 

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undertaken. Even when problems are identified, Indigo may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or a portion of the underlying deficiencies. Southwestern is often not entitled to contractual indemnification for environmental liabilities and acquire properties on an “as is” basis, and, as is the case with certain liabilities associated with the assets and operations of Indigo, Southwestern is entitled to remedies for only certain environmental liabilities. Additionally, Southwestern will not have the ability to control operations with respect to the portion of the assets and operations of Indigo in which Indigo holds only a non-operating interest. The integration process may be subject to delays or changed circumstances, and Southwestern can’t give any assurances that the assets and operations of Indigo will perform in accordance with Southwestern’s expectations or that Southwestern’s expectations with respect to integration or cost savings as a result of the Indigo Merger will materialize.

The Indigo Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Indigo Merger Agreement may trigger change in control or other provisions in certain agreements to which Indigo is a party, which may have an adverse impact on the combined company’s business and results of operations.

The Indigo Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Indigo Merger Agreement may trigger change in control and other provisions in certain agreements to which Indigo is a party. For those agreements for which we and Indigo are unable to negotiate waivers of those provisions, the counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the agreements, potentially terminating the agreements or seeking monetary damages. We could require a significant amount of funds to make these repurchases and repayments. The foregoing or similar developments may have an adverse impact on the combined company’s business and results of operations.

Southwestern’s results may suffer if it does not effectively manage its expanded operations resulting from the Indigo Merger.

The Indigo Merger will cause the size of the Company’s business to increase significantly beyond its current size. Southwestern’s future success will depend, in part, on Southwestern’s ability to manage this expanded business, which poses numerous risks and uncertainties, including the need to integrate the operations and business of Indigo into Southwestern’s existing business in an efficient and timely manner, to combine systems and management controls and to integrate relationships with customers, vendors and business partners.

Southwestern may be exposed to additional commodity price risk as a result of the acquisition of Indigo’s upstream assets.

The prices for natural gas have historically been volatile, and Southwestern expects this volatility to continue in the future. The Indigo Merger may increase Southwestern’s exposure to these, or other, commodity price risks.

To mitigate its exposure to changes in commodity prices, Indigo hedges natural gas from time to time, primarily through the use of certain derivative commodity instruments. Southwestern will bear the economic impact of all of Indigo’s current hedges as a result of the Indigo Merger. Actual natural gas prices may differ from the Company’s expectations and, as a result, such hedges could have a negative impact on Southwestern’s business.

The combined company may record goodwill and other intangible assets that could become impaired and result in material non-cash charges to the results of operations of the combined company in the future.

We will account for the Indigo Merger as an acquisition of a business in accordance with GAAP. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of Indigo and its subsidiaries will be recorded, as of completion, at their respective fair values and added to ours. Our reported financial condition and results of operations for periods after completion of the Indigo Merger will reflect Indigo’s balances and results after

 

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completion of the Indigo Merger but will not be restated retroactively to reflect the historical financial position or results of operations of Indigo and its subsidiaries for periods prior to the Indigo Merger.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price will be allocated to Indigo’s tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets based on their fair values as of the date of completion of the Indigo Merger. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values, if any, will be recorded as goodwill. To the extent the value of goodwill or intangibles, if any, becomes impaired in the future, the combined company may be required to incur material non-cash charges relating to such impairment. The combined company’s operating results may be significantly impacted from both the impairment and the underlying trends in the business that triggered the impairment.

We will incur significant transaction costs in connection with the Indigo Merger.

We have incurred and are expecting to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with the Indigo Merger, combining the operations of Indigo with ours and achieving desired synergies. These costs have been, and will continue to be substantial. The substantial majority of non-recurring expenses consisted of transaction costs and include, among others, fees paid to financial, legal, accounting and other advisors and employee retention, severance, and benefit costs. We also have incurred and will continue to incur costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of synergies and efficiencies related to the integration of Indigo’s assets, should allow us to offset these transaction costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term or at all.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and the pro forma reserves information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be reflective of our operating results, financial condition or reserves. In addition, such information is subject to change.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Indigo Merger been completed on the dates indicated. Similarly, the pro forma reserves information in this prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what our reserves would have been had the Indigo Merger been completed on the dates indicated. Further, our actual results and financial position after the Indigo Merger may differ materially and adversely from the pro forma information that is included in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects adjustments based upon preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets to be acquired and liabilities to be assumed.

In addition, it is possible that we may be required to make changes in the future to the pro forma condensed combined financial statements. Any such change or modifications could be significant.

Indigo is a private company, and therefore, Indigo’s financial statements are not prepared in accordance with the SEC requirements for public company financial statements.

Indigo is a private company and is not subject to the SEC financial reporting requirements. Indigo’s historical consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus are not prepared in accordance with SEC financial reporting requirements or public company accounting principles. Based on this, there may be information not included, which would be necessary to include in a public company’s historical consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, such information is subject to change. Any such change or modifications could be significant.

 

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Our ability to utilize our U.S. net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income will be subject to various limitations under the Code.

Section 382 of the Code imposes a limitation on the ability of a corporation to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) upon the occurrence of an ownership change resulting from issuances of a corporation’s stock or the sale or exchange of such corporation’s stock by certain shareholders if, as a result, there is an aggregate change of more than 50% in the beneficial ownership of such corporation’s stock by such shareholders during any three-year period. We believe that the Indigo Merger will result in an ownership change with respect to us, which would trigger a limitation on our ability to utilize any of its historic loss carryforwards based on information currently available. The limitation with respect to such loss carryforwards generally would be equal to (i) the fair market value of our equity as of immediately prior to such ownership change multiplied by (ii) a percentage approximately equivalent to the yield on long-term tax-exempt bonds during the month in which the ownership change occurs. In addition, the limitation would, under current law, be increased if there are recognized built-in gains during any post-change year, but only to the extent of any net unrealized built-in gains in our assets at the time of the ownership change. Any such limitation imposed on the ability to use such NOLs to offset future taxable income could cause us to pay U.S. federal income taxes earlier than we otherwise would if such limitations were not in effect and could cause certain of such NOLs to expire unused, thereby reducing or eliminating the benefit of such NOLs.

 

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SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

SEC Regulation S-X Rule 13-01 allows the omission of Summarized Financial Information if assets, liabilities and results of operations of the combined issuer and guarantors of the New Notes are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Therefore, the Company concluded that the presentation of the Summarized Financial Information is not required.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

This Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. We will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. You will receive, in exchange for the Outstanding Notes validly tendered by you and not validly withdrawn that are accepted by us in the Exchange Offer, New Notes in the same principal amount. The Outstanding Notes surrendered in exchange for the New Notes will be retired and cancelled and will not result in any increase in our outstanding debt. Any tendered but unaccepted Outstanding Notes will be returned to you and will remain outstanding.

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

On September 3, 2021, Southwestern, the subsidiary guarantors and the Dealer Managers entered into a registration rights agreement, pursuant to which Southwestern agreed to use reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Exchange Offer will permit eligible holders of the Outstanding Notes to exchange their Outstanding Notes for the New Notes, which are identical in all material respects to the Outstanding Notes, except that:

 

   

the New Notes have been registered with the SEC under U.S. federal securities laws and will not bear any legend restricting their transfer;

 

   

the New Notes bear a different CUSIP number from the Outstanding Notes;

 

   

the New Notes generally will not be subject to transfer restrictions and will not be entitled to registration rights; and

 

   

the holders of the New Notes will not be entitled to earn additional interest under circumstances relating to our registration obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed that we will, at our expense, for the benefit of the holders of the Outstanding Notes:

 

   

file a registration statement covering an offer to the holders of the Outstanding Notes to exchange all Outstanding Notes for the New Notes;

 

   

have such registration statement become and remain effective not less than 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is given to the holders of the Outstanding Notes;

 

   

commence the Exchange Offer promptly after such registration statement is declared effective by the SEC; and

 

   

use reasonable best efforts to consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to September 3, 2022, with respect to the Outstanding Notes.

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we will offer the New Notes in exchange for the Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will we accept tenders for exchange from, holders of the Outstanding Notes in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance of it would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes, where such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

We are offering to exchange up to $698,528,000 of our new registered 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 for up to $698,528,000 of our unregistered 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029.

 

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Subject to terms and conditions described in this prospectus, we will accept for exchange Outstanding Notes which are validly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not validly withdrawn as described herein. The Expiration Date initially means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                 , 2021. We may, however, in our sole and absolute discretion, extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer is open with respect to the Outstanding Notes. The term “Expiration Date” means the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended.

This prospectus is first being sent on or about                , 2021, to all holders of Outstanding Notes known to us. Our obligation to accept Outstanding Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer is subject to the conditions described below under the heading “— Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon holders tendering a minimum principal amount of Outstanding Notes. As of the date of this prospectus, $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes are outstanding.

Outstanding Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer must be in denominations of the principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Holders of the Outstanding Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. If you do not tender your Outstanding Notes or if you tender Outstanding Notes that we do not accept, your Outstanding Notes will remain outstanding. Any Outstanding Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture but will not be entitled to any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. Existing transfer restrictions would continue to apply to such Outstanding Notes.

After the Expiration Date, we will return to the holder any tendered Outstanding Notes that we did not accept for exchange.

NEITHER WE, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OUR MANAGEMENT NOR THE EXCHANGE AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO THE HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TO TENDER AFTER READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND CONSULTING WITH THEIR ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.

We have the right, in accordance with applicable law, at any time:

 

   

to delay the acceptance of the Outstanding Notes;

 

   

to terminate the Exchange Offer with respect to the Outstanding Notes and not accept any Outstanding Notes for exchange if we determine that any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer have not occurred or have not been satisfied;

 

   

to extend the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer and retain all Outstanding Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer other than those notes validly withdrawn; and

 

   

to waive any condition or amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner.

If we materially amend the Exchange Offer, we will as promptly as practicable distribute a prospectus to the holders of the Outstanding Notes disclosing the change and extend the Exchange Offer, to the extent required by applicable law.

 

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If we exercise any of the rights listed above, we will as promptly as practicable give oral or written notice of the action to the exchange agent and will make a public announcement of such action. In the case of an extension, an announcement will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

Acceptance of Outstanding Notes for Exchange and Issuance of New Notes

Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions of the Exchange Offer, as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date, we will accept all Outstanding Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, and we will issue New Notes and deliver them to the exchange agent. The exchange agent might not deliver the New Notes to all tendering holders at the same time. The timing of delivery depends upon when the exchange agent receives and processes the required documents.

We will be deemed to have exchanged Outstanding Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn when we give oral or written notice to the exchange agent of our acceptance of the tendered Outstanding Notes, with written confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter. The exchange agent is our agent for receiving tenders of Outstanding Notes, letters of transmittal and related documents.

In tendering Outstanding Notes, you must warrant in an agent’s message (described below) that:

 

   

you have full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer Outstanding Notes;

 

   

we will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered Outstanding Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and other encumbrances; and

 

   

the Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies.

You also must warrant and agree that you will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents requested by us or the exchange agent to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes.

The holder of each Outstanding Note accepted for exchange will receive a New Note in the principal amount equal to the surrendered Outstanding Note. Holders of New Notes on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the later of August 1, 2021 and the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Outstanding Notes. Holders of New Notes will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on Outstanding Notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date, the record date for which occurs on or prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer.

If any tendered Outstanding Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Outstanding Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Outstanding Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder (or, in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC pursuant to the book-entry procedures described below, such non-exchanged Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer).

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

To participate in the Exchange Offer, you must validly tender your Outstanding Notes to the exchange agent as described below. We will only issue New Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes that you timely and validly tender. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the Outstanding Notes, and you

 

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should follow carefully the instructions on how to tender your Outstanding Notes. It is your responsibility to validly tender your Outstanding Notes. We have the right to waive any defects. However, we are not required to waive defects, and neither we nor the exchange agent is required to notify you of any defects in your tender.

If you have any questions or need help in exchanging your Outstanding Notes, please call the exchange agent whose address and phone number are described in this prospectus.

All of the Outstanding Notes were issued in book-entry form, and all of the Outstanding Notes are currently represented by global certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. We have confirmed with DTC that the Outstanding Notes may be tendered using Automated Tender Offer Program (“ATOP”). The exchange agent will establish an account with DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer promptly after the commencement of the Exchange Offer, and DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the Exchange Offer by causing DTC to transfer their Outstanding Notes to the exchange agent using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an “agent’s message” to the exchange agent. The agent’s message will state that DTC has received instructions from the participant to tender Outstanding Notes and that the participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this prospectus.

There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the Outstanding Notes.

If you beneficially own Outstanding Notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender those notes, you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct the registered holder to tender on your behalf.

Determination of Validity

We, in our sole and absolute discretion, will resolve all questions regarding the form of documents, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for exchange of any tendered Outstanding Notes. Our determination of these questions as well as our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer will be final and binding on all parties. A tender of Outstanding Notes is invalid until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Holders must cure any defects and irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes for exchange within such reasonable period of time as we will determine, unless we waive the defects or irregularities. Neither us, any of our affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders nor will they be liable for failing to give any such notice.

We reserve the absolute right, in our sole and absolute discretion:

 

   

to reject any tenders determined to be in improper form or unlawful;

 

   

to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer; and

 

   

to waive any condition or irregularity in the tender of Outstanding Notes by any holder, whether or not we waive similar conditions or irregularities in the case of other holders.

If any endorsement, bond power, power of attorney, or any other document required by the Exchange Offer is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, that person must indicate such capacity when signing. In addition, unless waived by us, the person must submit proper evidence satisfactory to us, in our sole and absolute discretion, of his or her authority to so act.

Resales of New Notes

Based on interpretive letters issued by the SEC staff to third parties in transactions similar to the Exchange Offer, we believe that a holder of New Notes, other than a broker-dealer, may offer New Notes for resale, resell

 

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and otherwise transfer the New Notes without delivering a prospectus to prospective purchasers, if the holder acquired the New Notes in the ordinary course of business, has no intention of engaging in a “distribution” (as defined under the Securities Act) of the New Notes and is not an “affiliate” (as defined under the Securities Act) of Southwestern or the subsidiary guarantors. We will not seek our own interpretive letter. As a result, we cannot assure you that the SEC staff will take the same position on this Exchange Offer as it did in interpretive letters to other parties in similar transactions.

By tendering Outstanding Notes, the holder, other than participating broker-dealers, as defined below, of those Outstanding Notes is deemed to represent to us that, among other things:

 

   

the New Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving the New Notes, whether or not that person is the holder;

 

   

at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” of the New Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; and

 

   

neither the holder nor any other person receiving the New Notes is an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of Southwestern or the subsidiary guarantors.

If any holder or any such other person is an “affiliate” of the Company or the subsidiary guarantors or is engaged in, intends to engage in or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” of the New Notes, such holder or other person:

 

   

may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC referred to above; and

 

   

must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes must represent that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a prospectus) meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Any such broker-dealer is referred to as a participating broker-dealer. However, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the participating broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” (as defined under the Securities Act). If a broker-dealer acquired Outstanding Notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities, it may use this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in connection with offers to resell, resales or retransfers of New Notes received in exchange for the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. We have agreed that, during the period ending not less than 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders of the Outstanding Notes, subject to extension in limited circumstances, we will use our reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution” for a discussion of the exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with the Exchange Offer.

Withdrawal Rights

You can withdraw tenders of Outstanding Notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

For a withdrawal to be effective, you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent. The notice of withdrawal must:

 

   

specify the name of the person tendering the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn;

 

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identify the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn, including the total principal amount of Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn;

 

   

where certificates for Outstanding Notes are transmitted, list the name of the registered holder of the Outstanding Notes if different from the person withdrawing the Outstanding Notes;

 

   

contain a statement that the holder is withdrawing his election to have the Outstanding Notes exchanged; and

 

   

be accompanied by documents of transfer to have the trustee with respect to the Outstanding Notes register the transfer of the Outstanding Notes in the name of the person withdrawing the tender.

The notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Outstanding Notes and you must deliver the notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent. You may not rescind withdrawals of tender; however, Outstanding Notes properly withdrawn may again be tendered at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

We will determine all questions regarding the form of withdrawal, validity, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of withdrawal notices. Our determination of these questions as well as our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer will be final and binding on all parties. Neither we, any of our affiliates or assigns, the exchange agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give notice of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, nor will they be liable for failing to give any such notice.

In the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer through DTC, the Outstanding Notes withdrawn or not exchanged will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. Withdrawn Outstanding Notes will be returned to the holder after withdrawal. The Outstanding Notes will be returned or credited to the account maintained with DTC as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to the holder.

Properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes may again be tendered by following one of the procedures described under “— Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” above at any time prior to the applicable Expiration Date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, we are not required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for, any Outstanding Notes, and we may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer, if at any time prior to the applicable Expiration Date:

 

   

the Exchange Offer violates any applicable law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC;

 

   

an action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency that might materially impair our ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer;

 

   

we shall not have received all governmental approvals that we deem necessary to consummate the Exchange Offer; or

 

   

there has been proposed, adopted, or enacted any law, statute, rule or regulation that, in our reasonable judgment would materially impair our ability to consummate the Exchange Offer.

The conditions stated above are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any condition or may be waived by us in whole or in part at any time in our reasonable discretion. Our failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right will be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time.

 

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In addition, we will not accept for exchange any Outstanding Notes tendered, and we will not issue New Notes in exchange for any such Outstanding Notes, if at such time any stop order by the SEC is threatened or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part, or the Indenture is no longer qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

Exchange Agent

We appointed Regions Bank as exchange agent for the Exchange Offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus to the exchange agent at the address and phone number as follows:

By registered or certified mail, hand delivery or overnight courier:

Regions Bank, as Exchange Agent

3773 Richmond Avenue, Suite 1100

Houston, Texas 77046

Attn: Corporate Trust

By Facsimile (713) 960-4058

or by email at [email protected]

If you deliver any other documents to an address or facsimile number other than those listed above, your tender is invalid.

Fees and Expenses

The Registration Rights Agreement provides that we will, jointly and severally, bear all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of our obligations relating to the registration of the New Notes and the conduct of the Exchange Offer. These expenses include registration and filing fees, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others. We will reimburse the initial purchasers and the holders of the Outstanding Notes for the reasonable fees and disbursements of on firm of attorneys chosen by the holders of a majority in the aggregate principle amount of the Outstanding Notes. Holders shall bear all of their costs, including any underwriting discounts, brokerage commissions or transfer taxes.

Transfer Taxes

Holders who tender their Outstanding Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the exchange. If, however, New Notes issued in the Exchange Offer are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the holder of the Outstanding Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Outstanding Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the holder must pay any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person. If satisfactory evidence of payment of, or exemption from, such taxes is not submitted with their tender, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to the tendering holder.

Accounting Treatment

We will record the New Notes at the same carrying value as the Outstanding Notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon completion of the Exchange Offer. The fees and expenses discussed above will partially be expensed as incurred with the remaining portion recorded as deferred financing costs and amortized over the remaining life of the related bonds.

 

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Consequences of Failure to Exchange Outstanding Notes

Holders who desire to tender their Outstanding Notes in exchange for New Notes should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the exchange agent nor Southwestern is under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of notes for exchange.

Outstanding Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to the provisions in the Indenture regarding the transfer and exchange of the Outstanding Notes and the existing restrictions on transfer set forth in the legend on the Outstanding Notes and in the offering memorandum relating to the Outstanding Notes.

Upon completion of the Exchange Offer, holders of the Outstanding Notes will not be entitled to any further registration rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances.

Consequences of Exchanging Outstanding Notes

Under existing interpretations of the Securities Act by the SEC’s staff contained in several no-action letters to third parties, we believe that the New Notes may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders after the Exchange Offer other than by any holder who is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of Southwestern or the subsidiary guarantors. Such notes may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

 

   

such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder’s business; and

 

   

such holder, other than broker-dealers, has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes.

However, the SEC has not considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter and we cannot guarantee that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in such other circumstances. Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, by tendering Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offer, is deemed to represent and must furnish a written representation, at our request, that:

 

   

it is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of its business;

 

   

at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a “distribution” of the New Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; and

 

   

it is not an affiliate of Southwestern or the subsidiary guarantors.

Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes must acknowledge that such Outstanding Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities and that it will deliver or make available a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. See “Plan of Distribution” for a discussion of the exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with the Exchange Offer.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES

The following description of the particular terms of the New Notes and summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the Indenture, which provisions of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized and other terms not otherwise defined in this prospectus will have the meanings given to them in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. You may obtain a copy of the Indenture from us upon request.

In this section, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “Southwestern Energy Company” refer solely to Southwestern Energy Company and not its subsidiaries. References to “holders” mean those who have New Notes registered in their names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for that purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in New Notes issued in book-entry form through DTC or in New Notes registered in street name. Owners of beneficial interests in the New Notes should refer to “Form, book-entry procedures and transfer” below.

The New Notes

The New Notes will be issued as senior debt securities pursuant to the Indenture. The terms of the New Notes will be as set forth herein.

The New Notes will mature on February 1, 2029. Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled, we will repay the New Notes in cash at 100% of their principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon at maturity. We will pay principal of and interest on the New Notes in U.S. dollars.

The New Notes will be:

 

   

our senior unsecured debt obligations;

 

   

equal in right of payment with all of our other present and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes;

 

   

effectively subordinated to any of our secured indebtedness, including the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness;

 

   

unconditionally guaranteed by the guarantors on a senior unsecured basis, subject to release as described below; and

 

   

structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of subsidiaries that are not guarantors.

The New Notes will be issued in registered, book-entry form only without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Indenture and the New Notes will not limit the amount of indebtedness that may be incurred or the amount of securities which may be issued by us, and contain no financial or similar restrictions on us, except as described under “Certain Covenants” below. The Indenture provides that we may issue other series of debt securities thereunder.

The New Notes will be issued in an aggregate initial principal amount of up to $698,528,000.

The Guarantees

The New Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by all of our direct and indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries that guarantee our Credit Agreement, subject to release as described below. Each guarantee of the New Notes will be:

 

   

that guarantor’s senior unsecured debt obligation;

 

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equal in right of payment with all of that guarantor’s other present and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including that guarantor’s guarantee of our outstanding senior notes;

 

   

effectively subordinated to any of that guarantor’s secured indebtedness, including that guarantor’s obligations under the Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness; and

 

   

structurally subordinated to any indebtedness of subsidiaries of that guarantor that are not also guarantors.

If, in the future, any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries guarantees, becomes a borrower or guarantor under, or grants any lien to secure certain indebtedness of us or a subsidiary guarantor, as described below under “Certain Covenants — Future Guarantors,” then we will cause such subsidiary to become a guarantor of the New Notes by executing a supplement to the Indenture and delivering such supplement to the trustee promptly (but in any event, within ten business days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such obligations or granted such lien, as the case may be). In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any subsidiary that does not guarantee the New Notes, such non-guarantor subsidiary will pay the holders of its debt or debt it guarantees and its trade creditors before it will distribute any of its assets to us.

The obligations of each guarantor under its subsidiary guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that subsidiary guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. If a subsidiary guarantee is rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other debt (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such debt, a guarantor’s liability on its subsidiary guarantee could be reduced to zero.

The Indenture will limit the ability of a guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets and the properties or assets of its subsidiaries (taken as a whole with the properties or assets of such guarantor) to another person in one or more related transactions.

Each of our subsidiaries’ guarantees will be released:

(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of, or all of our direct or indirect limited partnership, limited liability company or other equity interests in, that guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) an affiliate of us;

(2) upon the merger of the guarantor into us or any other guarantor or the liquidation or dissolution of the guarantor;

(3) upon legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as described in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities and Related Guarantees — Defeasance” or upon satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as described in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities and Related Guarantees — Satisfaction and Discharge”; or

(4) upon delivery of written notice to the trustee of the release of all guarantees or other obligations of the guarantor under the Credit Agreement and any future credit facility or other indebtedness for money borrowed that required that guarantor to guarantee the New Notes under the covenant described below under “— Certain Covenants – Future Guarantors” such that the subsidiary would not be required to be a guarantor under such covenant.

If at any time following any release of a guarantor from its guarantee of the New Notes pursuant to clause (4) in the preceding paragraph, the guarantor again incurs obligations under the Credit Agreement or any future

 

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credit facility or other indebtedness for money borrowed such that the subsidiary would be required to be a guarantor under the second paragraph of this covenant, then we will cause the guarantor to again guarantee the New Notes in accordance with the Indenture.

Interest

Interest will accrue on the New Notes at the rate of 5.375% per year from the later of August 1, 2021 and the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Outstanding Notes. We will make interest payments on the New Notes semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2022 to the person in whose name the New Notes are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15, as applicable. Interest on the New Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If we are obligated to pay additional interest on the New Notes as described below under “Registration Rights”, all references in this description to “interest” shall be deemed to include such additional interest to the extent then applicable.

If an interest payment date for the New Notes falls on a day that is not a business day, the interest payment shall be postponed to the next succeeding business day, and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such interest payment date.

Further Issuances

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the registered holders of the New Notes, create and issue further New Notes having the same terms as the New Notes in all respects (or in all respects other than the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further New Notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further New Notes). Such further New Notes will form a single series with the New Notes and have substantially similar terms as to status, optional redemption or otherwise as the New Notes (subject to any further New Notes having special mandatory redemption features in connection with future acquisitions or otherwise), provided that the further New Notes will have a separate CUSIP number unless (i) the further New Notes have no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) such issuance would constitute a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Optional Redemption

At any time prior to February 1, 2024, we may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of New Notes issued under the Indenture, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the New Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of New Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings; provided that:

 

   

at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of New Notes issued under the Indenture (including any additional notes but excluding New Notes held by us and our Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (unless all the New Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently); and

 

   

the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering.

At any time prior to February 1, 2024, we may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the New Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes redeemed, plus the applicable premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of holders of New Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

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On or after February 1, 2024, we may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the New Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the New Notes redeemed to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of New Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.688

2025

     101.344

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

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

In the event that holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding New Notes accept a Change of Control Offer, or other tender offer to purchase all of the New Notes and we (or any third party making such Change of Control Offer or other tender offer to purchase all of the New Notes in lieu of us as described above) purchases all of the New Notes held by such holders, we will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer or other tender offer to purchase all of the New Notes described above, to redeem all of the New Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other holder in the Change of Control Offer or other tender offer, plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Offer or other tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the New Notes that remain outstanding, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the New Notes will not be redeemable at our option prior to February 1, 2024.

We will give or cause the trustee (in the name and at the expense of us) to give notice of redemption to the holders of New Notes to be redeemed as a whole or in part by giving notice of such redemption, not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to each holders of the New Notes to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary; provided, however, that redemption notices may be given more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the New Notes pursuant to the Indenture or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. Notices of redemption may be conditional and, at our discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied. If the trustee does not give the redemption notice, we shall deliver a copy of the notice to the trustee. Any notice which is given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail or pursuant to the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary, or any defect in the notice to the holder of any security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other security. Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with the Indenture, the New Notes called for redemption, subject to any condition included in the applicable notice of redemption, become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

The Indenture will provide that no New Notes of $2,000 of principal amount or less will be redeemed in part. If any New Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such New Note shall state the portion of the principal amount of that New Note to be redeemed. A New Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original New Note presented for redemption will be issued in the name of

 

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the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original New Note. New Notes called for redemption, subject to any condition included in such notice of redemption, become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on the New Notes or portions of them called for redemption unless we default on payment of the redemption price.

Change of Control Event

If a change of control event occurs with respect to the New Notes, each holder of the New Notes will have the right, pursuant to the terms set forth in the Indenture, to require us to repurchase all or any part (in any amount equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple as specified of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder’s New Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such New Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Within 30 days following a change of control event, if we have not (prior to the change of control event) sent a redemption notice for the New Notes in connection with any optional redemption that may be permitted by the Indenture, we will give a notice (the “change of control offer”) to each note holder to which this provision applies, with a copy to the trustee (or we will otherwise comply with DTC procedures for the giving of such notice, if any), stating:

(1) that a change of control event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require us to purchase such holder’s New Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such New Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but excluding the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date) (the “change of control payment”);

(2) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent) (the “change of control payment date”);

(3) that any note not validly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless we default in the payment of the change of control payment, all New Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the change of control offer will cease to accrue interest on the change of control payment date;

(5) that holders electing to have any New Notes purchased pursuant to a change of control offer will be required to surrender such New Notes (or otherwise comply with applicable DTC procedures), with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such New Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding the change of control payment date;

(6) that holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered New Notes and their election to require us to purchase such New Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the Business Day preceding the change of control payment date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder of the New Notes, the principal amount of New Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such holder is withdrawing its tendered New Notes and its election to have such New Notes purchased (or such holder complies with applicable DTC procedures for withdrawals);

(7) that holders electing to have their New Notes purchased pursuant to a change of control offer must specify the principal amount that is being tendered for purchase. The principal amount of the portion of New Notes tendered must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter;

(8) any conditions to the change of control offer;

 

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(9) the procedures determined by us, consistent with the Indenture, that a holder must follow in order to have its New Notes repurchased; and

(10) any other information necessary to enable any holder to tender New Notes and to have such New Notes purchased pursuant to the Indenture.

On the change of control payment date, we will, to the extent lawful:

(1) accept for payment all New Notes or portions of New Notes (of at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter) validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the change of control offer;

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the change of control payment in respect of all New Notes or portions of New Notes accepted for payment; and

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the New Notes so accepted together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of New Notes or portions of New Notes being purchased by us.

The paying agent will promptly send to each holder of New Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn the change of control payment for the New Notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the New Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter.

If the change of control payment date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to holders who tender pursuant to the change of control offer.

The provisions described above will be applicable to any change of control event whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a change of control event, the Indenture will not contain provisions that permit the holders to require us to repurchase or redeem the New Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

We will not be required to make a change of control offer upon a change of control event if a third party makes the change of control offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a change of control offer made by us and purchases all New Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such change of control offer.

We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of New Notes as a result of a change of control event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of the Indenture, or compliance with the change of control event provisions of the Indenture would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations described in the Indenture by virtue of our compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

Our ability to repurchase New Notes pursuant to a change of control offer may be limited by a number of factors. The occurrence of certain of the events that constitute a change of control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, certain events that may constitute a change of control under the Credit Agreement and cause a default under the Credit Agreement will not constitute a change of control or a change of control event under the Indenture. Our future indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a change of control or require such indebtedness to be

 

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repurchased upon a change of control or a change of control event. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to repurchase the New Notes following a change of control in connection with a change in control event could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if the change of control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by our then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

Even if sufficient funds were otherwise available, the terms of the Credit Agreement and other and/or future indebtedness may prohibit our prepayment or repurchase of New Notes before their scheduled maturity. Consequently, if we are not able to prepay any such other indebtedness containing similar restrictions or obtain requisite consents, we will be unable to fulfill our repurchase obligations if holders of New Notes exercise their repurchase rights following a change of control, resulting in a default under the Indenture. A default under the Indenture may result in a cross-default under the Credit Agreement. The provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving us. The change of control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between the underwriters of the New Notes and us. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a change of control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a change of control or a change of control event under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Liens” and “Certain Covenants — Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.” Such restrictions in the Indenture can be waived only with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the New Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The definition of “change of control” includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Southwestern Energy Company (determined on a consolidated basis). Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the property or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a change of control has occurred and whether a holder of New Notes may require us to make an offer to repurchase the New Notes as described above.

The provisions under the Indenture relative to our obligation to make an offer to repurchase the New Notes as a result of a change of control event may be waived or modified or terminated with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the New Notes) prior to the occurrence of such change of control event.

Certain Covenants

Except as described below, we will not be restricted by the Indenture from incurring, assuming or becoming liable for any type of debt or other obligations, from paying dividends or making distributions on our capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our capital stock. The Indenture will not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, with certain exceptions, the Indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions that would limit our right to incur additional indebtedness. The Indenture will not contain any provisions that would require us to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of the New Notes upon certain events (other than a change of control event) that may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the New Notes, for example, a highly leveraged transaction.

 

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Limitation on Liens

We will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a lien on (a) productive property, (b) any principal transmission facility or (c) any shares of stock of any subsidiary (collectively, (a), (b) and (c), “principal property”), if the sum, without duplication, of:

 

   

the aggregate principal amount of all secured debt (other than secured debt referred to in clauses (i)-(vii) below); and

 

   

all attributable debt of us or our subsidiaries in respect of sale and leaseback transactions involving any principal property (other than sale and leaseback provisions permitted pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant “— Limitation on sale and leaseback transactions” below),

exceeds the greatest of (i) $2.0 billion, (ii) 25% of our ACNTA at the time of incurrence and (iii) with respect to borrowings under the Credit Agreement, the “borrowing base” as defined below, unless we provide that the New Notes will be secured equally and ratably with (or, at our option, prior to) such secured debt.

The provisions described in the foregoing paragraph do not apply to liens incurred, assumed or guaranteed that do not arise from indebtedness for borrowed money and, without limiting the foregoing, also do not apply to liens on principal property:

(a) upon any principal property (including any related contract rights) existing at the time of acquisition thereof by us or any of our subsidiaries (whether such acquisition is direct or by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise, provided any such lien is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition);

(b) securing indebtedness under credit facilities of any subsidiary, provided that the aggregate principal amount of any indebtedness under such credit facilities shall not exceed $500.0 million at any time outstanding;

(c) upon or with respect to any property (including any related contract rights) acquired, constructed, refurbished or improved by us or any of our subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, liens to secure all or any part of the cost of construction, alteration or repair of any building, equipment, facility or other improvement on, all or any part of such property, including any pipeline financing) after the date of the Indenture which are created, incurred or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 360 days after, the latest to occur of the acquisition (whether by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise), completion of construction, refurbishment or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation, of such property (or, in the case of liens on contract rights, the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the facility to which such contract rights relate, regardless of the date when the contract was entered into) to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction, refurbishment or improvement; provided, however, that in the case of any such construction, refurbishment or improvement, the lien shall relate only to indebtedness reasonably incurred to finance such construction, refurbishment or improvement;

(d) securing indebtedness owing by any of our subsidiaries to us or to other subsidiaries;

(e) arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing indebtedness;

(f) for the sole purpose of extending, renewing or replacing (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, any lien referred to in the foregoing subsections (i) or (iii) or above or this subsection (vi); provided, however, that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or part of the property subject to the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus refurbishment of or improvements on or to such property); and

(g) any ordinary course lien arising, but only so long as continuing, in the ordinary course of our business or the business of our subsidiaries.

 

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In all of the cases set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such lien, a lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may enter into, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction involving any principal property, unless after giving effect thereto the sum of all attributable debt in respect of such sale and leaseback transactions (other than those referred to in the following paragraph) does not exceed $250.0 million.

This restriction shall not apply to any sale and leaseback transaction (A) between us and any of our subsidiaries or between any of our subsidiaries or (B) for which, at the time the transaction is entered into, the term of the related lease to us or our subsidiary of the property sold pursuant to such transaction is three years or less.

Future Guarantors.

The Indenture will provide that if, in the future, any subsidiary of ours that is not a guarantor of the New Notes (a “non-guarantor subsidiary”) subsequently becomes a borrower or guarantor under, or grants a lien to secure, any indebtedness of ours or of a subsidiary guarantor under (i) the Credit Agreement or any future credit facility or (ii) any other indebtedness for borrowed money, in each case with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $500.0 million, then we will cause that non-guarantor subsidiary to become a guarantor of the New Notes by executing a supplement to the Indenture and delivering such supplement to the trustee promptly (but in any event within ten business days) following the date that that such non-guarantor subsidiary so subsequently becomes a borrower or guarantor under or so grants a lien to secure such indebtedness of ours or of a subsidiary guarantor. No such subsidiary shall be required to become a guarantor of the New Notes if it merges into us or merges into an existing subsidiary guarantor and the surviving entity remains a subsidiary guarantor. Such subsidiary shall be released from its guarantee of the New Notes as described under “— The Guarantees” above.

SEC Reports

The Indenture will provide that we agree to file with the trustee, within 30 days after we file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports, if any, that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Indenture also provides that we will comply with the provisions of Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The Indenture will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, lease or transfer all or substantially all of our assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any person unless:

 

   

either (i) in the case of a consolidation or merger, we shall be the continuing or surviving person or (ii) the person formed by such consolidation or into which are merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety (the “successor company”) shall be a person formed, organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by a supplement to an Indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all the New Notes and the performance or observance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of us to be performed or observed;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, and no default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

 

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we or the successor company have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental Indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental Indenture, comply with the Indenture and that all conditions precedent in the Indenture provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Upon such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged with or to which such sale is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the Indenture, and the predecessor corporation shall be released from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the New Notes.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Under the Indenture, an event of default with respect to the New Notes is any one of the following events:

(1) default for 30 or more days in payment of any interest on any New Note or any coupon appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect to the New Notes as specified in this prospectus when due;

(2) default in payment of principal, or premium, if any, on any New Note when and as due at maturity or on redemption or otherwise when and as due, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment, if applicable, when and as due by the terms of the New Notes;

(3) default for 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee for the New Notes, or by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the New Notes then outstanding, in any material respect in the performance of any other agreement in the New Notes (or in the Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or board resolution referred to therein) under which the New Notes have been issued;

(4) the failure to pay the principal of or interest on indebtedness for borrowed money of us or any significant subsidiary (within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) within any applicable grace period after payment is due, or the principal thereof is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default, and the total principal amount of such indebtedness that is not so paid or that so accelerated, in either case exceeds $100.0 million and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days or such indebtedness is not repaid in full within 30 days; provided that such event of default will be cured or waived, without further action upon the part of either the trustee or any holder, if (i) the default that resulted in the acceleration of such other indebtedness is cured or waived and (ii) the acceleration is rescinded or annulled;

(5) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of us or our significant subsidiaries; and

(6) in the case where a security guarantor guarantees the New Notes, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, any security guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect, or any security guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its security guarantee.

The Indenture will provide that if an event of default (other than certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of us) shall have occurred with respect to the New Notes and be continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee, by written notice to us, or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding New Notes, by written notice to us and the trustee, may declare the unpaid principal of (and premium, if any) and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the New Notes to be immediately due and payable. Any such notice shall specify the event of default and that it is a “notice of acceleration.” If an event of default occurs as a result of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us, then the unpaid principal of (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the New Notes shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without further notice or action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

 

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The Indenture will provide that the trustee will, within 90 days after obtaining knowledge of a default with respect to the New Notes, give to the holders of the New Notes notice of such default known to it, unless cured or waived; provided that except in the case of default in the payment of principal, or interest or premium, if any, on the New Notes the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of the New Notes. The term “default” for the purpose of this provision means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an event of default.

The Indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during the continuance of an event of default to act with the required standard of care, that the holders provide indemnity satisfactory to it before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of such holders. The Indenture will provide that the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the New Notes may, subject to certain exceptions, on behalf of the holders of New Notes direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

The Indenture will include a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists.

In certain cases, the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the New Notes may on behalf of the holders of New Notes rescind a declaration of acceleration or waive any past default or event of default with respect to the New Notes except a default not theretofore cured in payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the New Notes or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each New Note.

No holder of a New Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or the New Notes or for any remedy thereunder unless:

 

   

such holder shall have previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding New Notes have also made such a written request;

 

   

such holder or holders have provided indemnity satisfactory to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;

 

   

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 90 calendar days of such notice; and

 

   

during or prior to such 90 day period, the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the New Notes a direction inconsistent with such request.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of New Notes for enforcement of payment of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on the New Notes on or after the respective due dates expressed in the New Notes after any applicable grace periods have expired.

Modification and Waiver

The trustee and we may amend or supplement the Indenture or the New Notes without the consent of any holder, in order to:

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

provide for the assumption of our obligations to the holders in the case of a merger or consolidation of us or any security guarantors as permitted by the Indenture or any supplement to the Indenture;

 

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provide for uncertificated New Notes in addition to or in place of certificated New Notes, provided, however that the uncertificated New Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

 

   

to add guarantees with respect to the New Notes or to secure the New Notes;

 

   

to add to the covenants of the Company or any security guarantor for the benefit of holders of all or any New Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred on us in the Indenture;

 

   

to add any additional events of default with respect to all or any New Note;

 

   

comply with SEC requirements in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of all or any New Note or that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the New Note in any material respect;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as are necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

 

   

to establish the form or terms of New Notes or other series of debt securities as permitted by the Indenture;

 

   

to conform the text of the Indenture, any security guarantees relating to the New Notes, or the New Notes to any provision of the description thereof set forth in this prospectus to the extent that such provision in this prospectus was intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the security guarantees relating to the New Notes or the New Notes, as determined in good faith by Southwestern (which intent will be established by an officer’s certificate Southwestern delivers to the trustee); or

 

   

to correct or supplement any provision of the Indenture that may be inconsistent with any other provision of the Indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture; provided, such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of any holder.

In addition, except as described below, modifications and amendments of the Indenture or the New Notes may be made by the trustee and us with the consent of the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the New Notes. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

 

   

reduce the principal amount of New Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or change or have the effect of changing the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on New Notes;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of or change or have the effect of changing the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of, the New Notes, or change the date on which any New Notes may be subject to redemption (provided that this shall not apply to changes in the notice period for redemptions), or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or the redemption price therefor;

 

   

make any New Note payable in currency other than that stated in the New Notes;

 

   

make any change to the provisions of the Indenture entitling each holder to receive payment of principal of, premium and interest on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) or to bring suit to enforce such payment, or permitting holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding New Notes to waive defaults or events of default;

 

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amend, change or modify in any material respect any obligations of the Company to make and consummate a change of control offer in respect of a change of control event that has occurred, to the extent any such change of control may be required under the terms of any New Notes;

 

   

in the case where a security guarantor guarantees the New Notes, eliminate or modify in any manner the obligations of a security guarantor with respect to its security guarantee which adversely affects holders in any material respect, except as expressly otherwise provided for in the Indenture; or

 

   

change any obligation of us to maintain an office or agency in the place and for the purposes specified in the Indenture.

Defeasance

The Indenture will provide that we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the New Notes (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the New Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated New Notes, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the New Notes), upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities, which through the payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms provides money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants in the United States in the case of U.S. government securities to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of the New Notes on the stated maturity date of such principal and any installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any.

Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of (x) an opinion of counsel who is reasonably satisfactory to the trustee to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. federal income tax law or a ruling published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the beneficial owners of the New Notes and (y) an officer’s certificate meeting the requirements set forth in the Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, such an opinion would require a change in current U.S. tax law.

We may also omit to comply with the restrictive covenants, if any, of the New Notes, other than our covenant to pay the amounts due and owing with respect to New Notes. Thereafter, any such omission shall not be an event of default with respect to the New Notes, upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms provides money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of the New Notes on the stated maturity date of such principal or installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any. Our obligations under the Indenture and the New Notes other than with respect to such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such a defeasance will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the beneficial owners of the New Notes.

In the event we exercise our option to omit compliance with certain covenants as described in the preceding paragraph and the New Notes are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, then the amount of monies and U.S. government securities on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the New Notes at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. We shall in any event remain liable for such payments as provided in the New Notes.

 

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Satisfaction and Discharge

At our option, we may satisfy and discharge the Indenture with respect to the New Notes (except for specified obligations of the trustee and ours, including, among others, the obligations to apply money held in trust) when:

 

   

either (a) all New Notes previously authenticated and delivered under the Indenture have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all New Notes not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee, and we have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the New Notes;

 

   

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the Indenture with respect to the New Notes; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as to the New Notes have been satisfied.

Definitions

Under the Indenture:

 

   

ACNTA” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:

 

  (a)

the sum of:

 

  (i)

discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of us and our subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the our most recently completed fiscal year, which reserve report is prepared or audited by independent petroleum engineers as to at least 80% of the value of the reserves covered thereby, provided, however, that in lieu of using commodities prices and costs determined under SEC guidelines in such reserve report and for all purposes of this definition, such discounted future net revenue shall be adjusted using NYMEX prices after giving further effect to commodity derivatives contracts in effect on the date of determination and estimates of costs in light of prevailing market conditions in effect as of the date of determination, in each case as determined in good faith by us, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue before any state or federal income taxes of:

(A) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of us and our subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and

(B) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of us and our subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior year-end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report (as adjusted for pricing and costs as set forth above),

in the case of the determination made under each of clauses (A) and (B) above, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (except utilizing commodities prices and costs as set forth above) before any state or federal income taxes, and as decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue before any state or federal income taxes attributable to:

(C) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of us and our subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report (as adjusted for pricing and costs as set forth above) produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report, and

 

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(D) reductions in the estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of us and our subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report (as adjusted for pricing and costs as set forth above)

since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (except utilizing the commodities prices and costs as set forth above) before any state or federal income taxes;

provided, however, that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D) above, such increases and decreases shall be as estimated in good faith by us;

 

  (ii)

the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude oil and natural gas properties of us and our subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil and natural gas reserves are attributed, based on our books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of our latest annual or quarterly financial statements;

 

  (iii)

the net working capital, excluding unrealized gains and losses related to unsettled derivatives, on a date no earlier than the date of our latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

 

  (iv)

the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of our latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers within the immediately preceding 12 months, of other tangible assets of us and our subsidiaries (provided that we shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed);

minus

 

  (b)

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

 

  (i)

minority interests;

 

  (ii)

any net gas or other balancing liabilities of us and our subsidiaries reflected in the our latest audited consolidated financial statements;

 

  (iii)

the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (except utilizing the commodities prices and costs set forth above) before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of us and our subsidiaries with respect to volumetric production payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and

 

  (iv)

the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, attributable to reserves subject to dollar denominated production payments that, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding clause (a)(i) (except utilizing the commodities prices and costs set forth above), would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of us and our subsidiaries with respect to dollar denominated production payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

For the avoidance of doubt, references in this definition to “oil and natural gas reserves” shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids and other hydrocarbons.

 

   

applicable premium” means, with respect to any note at the time of computation, the excess, if any, of:

 

   

the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of the New Note at February 1, 2024, (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing under “— Optional Redemption” above) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the New Note through February 1, 2024,

 

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(excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate as of such time plus 50 basis points discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30-day months); over

 

   

the principal amount of the New Note.

 

   

attributable debt” means, in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the New Notes, compounded semi-annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a finance lease obligation, the amount of indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “finance lease obligation.”

 

   

borrowing base” means, with respect to borrowings under the credit agreement and any amendment to and/or modification or replacement thereof in the form of a reserve-based borrowing base credit facility, in each case with lenders that include commercial banks regulated by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the maximum amount determined or re-determined by the lenders thereunder as the aggregate lending value to be ascribed to the oil and gas properties and other assets of Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries against which such lenders are prepared to provide loans, letters of credit or other indebtedness to Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement, using customary practices and standards for determining reserve-based loans and which are generally applied to borrowers in the oil and gas business by commercial lenders, as determined semi-annually during each year and/or on such other occasions as may be required or provided for by the credit agreement, and which is based upon, inter alia, the review by such lenders of the hydrocarbon reserves, royalty interests and assets and liabilities of Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries.

 

   

capital stock” means, as to any person, any and all shares, units of beneficial interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities or other indebtedness convertible into such equity.

 

   

change of control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

   

any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company; provided that a transaction in which Southwestern Energy Company becomes a subsidiary of another person shall not constitute a change of control if, immediately following such transaction, (i) the persons who were stockholders of Southwestern Energy Company immediately prior to such transaction continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of such other person of whom Southwestern Energy Company has become a subsidiary and (ii) no person other than such other person of whom Southwestern Energy Company has become a subsidiary beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company;

 

   

the merger or consolidation of Southwestern Energy Company with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into Southwestern Energy Company, or the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of Southwestern Energy Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another person, other than (i) (A) a transaction following which in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving

 

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person (or any parent thereof) in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction or (B) a transaction that would be permitted under the proviso to clause (a) of this definition of “change of control” or (b) in the case of a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all assets transaction, a transaction in which each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the New Notes and a subsidiary of the transferor of such assets; or

 

   

the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Southwestern Energy Company.

 

   

change of control event” means the occurrence of either of the following: (i) if the New Notes do not have an investment grade rating from both of the rating agencies on the first day of the trigger period, the New Notes are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating of the New Notes on the first day of the trigger period by both of the rating agencies on any date during the trigger period, or (ii) if the New Notes have an investment grade rating from both of the rating agencies on the first day of the trigger period, the New Notes cease to have an investment grade rating from both of the ratings agencies on any date during the trigger period; provided, however, that for so long as any of our existing senior notes are outstanding, if we are required to offer to purchase any such existing senior notes as a result of the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in such existing senior notes), then the occurrence of such change of control shall constitute a change of control event. For purposes of the foregoing, “existing senior notes” means our 4.10% senior notes due 2022, our 4.95% senior notes due 2025, our 7.50% senior notes due 2026, our 7.75% senior notes due 2027, our 8.375% senior notes due 2028 and our 5.375% Senior Notes due 2030.

If a rating agency is not providing a rating for the New Notes at the commencement of the trigger period, a change of control event shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to such rating agency as a result of the related change of control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change of control event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular change of control unless and until such change of control has actually occurred.

 

   

Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2018, by and among Southwestern Energy Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, in each case with one or more reserve-based borrowing base credit facilities with lenders that include commercial banks regulated by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

 

   

credit facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, our senior credit facility), indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders or investors providing for debt financing, revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case with credit facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

 

   

disqualified stock” means any capital stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the capital stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the capital stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature, in each case other than in exchange for capital stock of the Company (other than disqualified stock) or of any direct or indirect parent of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any capital stock that would constitute disqualified stock solely because the holders of the capital stock have the right to

 

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require the Company to repurchase or redeem such capital stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute disqualified stock if the terms of such capital stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such capital stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the Indenture. The amount of disqualified stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of the Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such disqualified stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

   

equity interests” of any person means (1) any and all capital stock of such person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such capital stock of such person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into equity interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with equity interests.

 

   

equity offering” means a public or private sale of equity interests (excluding disqualified stock) of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of Southwestern Energy Company (provided that in the case of an equity offering by any direct or indirect parent of ours, the net cash proceeds are contributed to our equity capital of the Company) for cash, other than:

 

   

public offerings with respect to our or such parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8; and

 

   

issuances to any subsidiary of ours.

 

   

finance lease obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a finance lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

   

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of the Indenture.

 

   

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

 

   

investment grade rating” means a rating equal to or greater than (i) BBB- by S&P or (ii) Baa3 by Moody’s or (iii) the equivalent thereof under any new ratings system if the ratings system of either such agency shall be modified after the date hereof, or (iv) the equivalent rating of any other ratings agency selected by Southwestern Energy Company as provided by the definition of ratings agency.

 

   

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

   

net working capital” means:

 

  (a)

all current assets of us and our subsidiaries, minus

 

  (b)

all current liabilities of us and our subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in indebtedness; in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

   

NYMEX prices” means, as of any date of determination, the forward month prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such future production month for a five year period

 

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(or such shorter period if forward month prices are not quoted for a reasonably comparable hydrocarbon commodity for the full five year period), with such prices held constant thereafter based on the last quoted forward month price of such period, as such prices are (i) quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange (or its successor) as of a date within 30 days of the date of determination and (ii) adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials; provided that with respect to estimated future production for which prices are defined, within the meaning of SEC guidelines, by contractual arrangements excluding escalations based upon future conditions, then such contract prices shall be applied to future production subject to such arrangements.

 

   

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

 

   

oil and gas properties” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interest therein, owned by such person or any of its subsidiaries which contain or are believed to contain “proved oil and gas reserves” as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

 

   

ordinary course lien” means any:

 

  (a)

lien incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the obtaining of advances or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property;

 

  (b)

lien created by any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by us or any subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased;

 

  (c)

liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements or similar filings made in respect of operating leases;

 

  (d)

lien that is a contractual right of set-off (a) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness, (b) relating to pooled deposits or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (c) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (e)

oil, gas or mineral leases arising in the ordinary course of business where the liens arise from the rights of lessors;

 

  (f)

customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts that are not for speculative purposes and arise in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (g)

liens on cash and cash equivalents in favor of, and letters of credit issued for the benefit of, counterparties to swap agreements securing obligations under such swap agreements;

 

  (h)

lien arising from the sale or other transfer in the ordinary course of business of (A) crude oil, natural gas, other petroleum hydrocarbons or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser or other transferee will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such minerals, or (B) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment,” “overriding royalty,” “forward sale” or similar interest;

 

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  (i)

liens which may be attached to undeveloped real estate not containing oil or gas reserves presently owned by us in the ordinary course of our real estate, sales development and rental activities;

 

  (j)

liens in favor of the United States of America, any State, any foreign country or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of constructing, refurbishing, developing or improving any property subject thereto, including without limitation, liens to secure indebtedness of pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and

 

  (k)

lien arising from any right which any municipal or governmental body or agency may have by virtue of any franchise, license, contract or statute to purchase, or designate a purchaser of or order the sale of, any property of us or any subsidiary upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor or to terminate any franchise, license or other rights or to regulate the property and business of us or any subsidiary.

 

   

principal transmission facility” means any transportation or distribution facility, including pipelines, of us or any subsidiary located in the United States of America other than (i) any such facility which in the opinion of our Board of Directors is not of material importance to the business conducted by us and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any such facility in which interests are held by us or by one or more subsidiaries or by us and one or more subsidiaries and by others and the aggregate interest held by the Borrower and all Subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.

 

   

productive property” means any property interest owned by us or any subsidiary in land (including submerged land and rights in and to oil, gas and mineral leases) located in the United States of America classified by us or such subsidiary, as the case may be, as productive of crude oil, natural gas or other petroleum hydrocarbons in paying quantities; provided that such term shall not include any exploration or production facilities on said land, including any drilling or producing platform.

 

   

ratings agency” means any of (1) Moody’s, (2) S&P, or (3) if S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the New Notes or ceases to make a rating on the New Notes publicly available, an entity registered as a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (registered as such pursuant to Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) then making a rating on the New Notes publicly available selected by Southwestern Energy Company (as certified by an officer’s certificate), which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be.

 

   

sale and leaseback transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement with any person or to which any such person is a party, providing for the leasing to us or our subsidiary of any property, whether owned at the date of the Indenture or thereafter acquired, which has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such subsidiary to such person or to any other person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such person on the security of such property, in each case provided that the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the property subject to such transaction shall have occurred more than 180 days prior thereto.

 

   

secured debt” means any indebtedness for borrowed money incurred, assumed or guaranteed by us or one of our subsidiaries that is secured by a lien.

 

   

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

   

swap agreement” means (a) 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, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any

 

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master agreement and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any master agreement; 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 us or any of our subsidiaries shall be a “swap agreement.”

 

   

treasury rate” means, in respect of any redemption date, the yield to maturity, as of the time of computation, of the most recently issued United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such time (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to February 1, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to February 1, 2024, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. The Company will (a) calculate the treasury rate no later than the second (and no earlier than the fourth) business day preceding the applicable redemption date (or, in the case of any redemption in connection with a defeasance of the New Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, on the business day preceding such event) and (b) prior to such redemption date, file with the trustee a statement setting forth the applicable premium and the treasury rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

 

   

trigger period” means the period commencing on the day of the first public announcement (the “announcement date”) by us of any change of control (or pending change of control) and ending 60 days following consummation of such change of control (which trigger period will be extended following consummation of a change of control for so long as either of the rating agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings downgrade related to such change of control).

 

   

volumetric production payments” mean production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

   

voting stock” of a person means all classes of capital stock of such person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Governing Law

The New Notes and the Indenture will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustee

Regions Bank will be the trustee under the Indenture. We maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. We may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under the Indenture, each with respect to the New Notes. The trustee under the Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to the New Notes, and we may appoint a successor trustee to act with respect to the New Notes. We maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

The Indenture will not prohibit the trustee from serving as trustee under any other Indenture to which we may be a party from time to time or from engaging in other transactions with us. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act and any debt securities issued pursuant to any indenture are in default, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

 

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Form, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer

General

The New Notes will be issued initially only in the form of one or more global notes (collectively, the “global notes”). The global notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case, for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Beneficial interests in the global notes may be held only through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC), unless transferred to a person that takes delivery through a global note in accordance with the certification requirements described below.

Except as set forth below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for definitive notes in registered certificated form (“certificated notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “— Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes.” Except in the limited circumstances described below, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form.

In addition, transfers of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

Depositary Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between the participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations). Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “indirect participants”). Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the participants or the indirect participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

(1) upon deposit of the global notes, DTC will credit the accounts of the participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amount of the global notes; and

(2) ownership of these interests in the global notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the participants) or by the participants and the indirect participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interest in the global notes).

Investors in the global notes who are participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the global notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are participants. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold

 

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interests in the global notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositaries, which are Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a global note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of the participants, which in turn act on behalf of the indirect participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a global note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

Except as described below, owners of interests in the global notes will not have New Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of New Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “holders” thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the New Notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners of the New Notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for:

(1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the global notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the global notes; or

(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its participants or indirect participants.

DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the New Notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of New Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of us, DTC or the trustee. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of the participants or the indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the New Notes, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between the participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between the participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such

 

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system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the global notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the New Notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the global notes for legended notes in certificated form, and to distribute such notes to its Participants.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes

The New Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to, and registered in the name of, each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related New Notes only if:

 

   

DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

we, at our option, notify the trustee that we elect to cause the issuance of certificated notes; or

 

   

certain other events provided in the indenture should occur, including the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Indenture followed by a request from holders of the New Notes as provided in the Indenture.

The indenture permits us to determine at any time and in our sole discretion that the New Notes shall no longer be represented by global securities. DTC has advised us that, under its current practices, it would notify its participants of our request, but will only withdraw beneficial interests from the global security at the request of each DTC participant. We would issue definitive certificates in exchange for any beneficial interests withdrawn.

 

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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the exchange of Outstanding Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, as of the date hereof. This discussion does not address specific tax considerations that may be relevant to particular persons in light of their individual circumstances (including, for example, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or partners or members therein, banks or other financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations), common trust funds, controlled foreign corporations, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, and persons in special situations, such as those who hold notes as part of a straddle, hedge, synthetic security, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other integrated investment comprising notes and one or more other investments). In addition, this discussion does not describe any tax considerations arising under U.S. federal gift, estate or other tax laws, or under the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. The discussion below is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, published Internal Revenue Service rulings and administrative pronouncements, and published court decisions, each as in effect as of the date hereof and any of which may be subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Each holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations relating to the exchange of Outstanding Notes for New Notes and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the New Notes.

The exchange of an Outstanding Note for a New Note pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not constitute a “significant modification” of the Outstanding Note for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, the New Note received by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the Outstanding Note in the hands of such holder. As a result, there will be no U.S. federal income tax consequences to a holder who exchanges a Outstanding Note for a New Note pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any such holder will have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in the New Note as it had in the Outstanding Note immediately before the exchange. A holder who does not exchange its Outstanding Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not recognize any gain or loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will we accept surrenders of Outstanding Notes for exchange from, holders of Outstanding Notes in any jurisdiction in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

The distribution of this prospectus and the offer and sale of the New Notes may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus or any of the New Notes must inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which you purchase, offer or sell the New Notes or possess or distribute this prospectus and, in connection with any purchase, offer or sale by you of the New Notes, must obtain any consent, approval or permission required under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which you are subject or in which you make such purchase, offer or sale.

In reliance on interpretations of the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties in similar transactions, we believe that the New Notes issued in the Exchange Offer in exchange for the Outstanding Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of each such holder’s business and the holders are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of New Notes. This position does not apply to any holder that is:

 

   

an “affiliate” of Southwestern or the subsidiary guarantors within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; or

 

   

a broker-dealer.

All broker-dealers receiving New Notes in the Exchange Offer are subject to a prospectus delivery requirement with respect to resales of the New Notes. Each broker-dealer receiving New Notes for its own account in the Exchange Offer must represent that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. However, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the participating broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. We have agreed to make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale for a period of 90 days after the Expiration Date. To date, the SEC has taken the position that broker-dealers may use a prospectus such as this one to fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to resales of New Notes received in an exchange such as the exchanges pursuant to the Exchange Offer, if the Outstanding Notes for which the New Notes were received in the exchange were acquired for their own accounts as a result of market-making or other trading activities.

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the New Notes by broker-dealers. Broker-dealers acquiring New Notes for their own accounts may sell the New Notes in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through writing options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of such New Notes.

Any broker-dealer that held Outstanding Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, that received New Notes in the Exchange Offer, and that participates in a distribution of New Notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the

 

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New Notes. Any profit on these resales of New Notes and any commissions or concessions received by a broker-dealer in connection with these resales may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. By acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to our participation in the Exchange Offer, including the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for the holders of Outstanding Notes and the initial purchasers, other than commissions or concessions of any broker-dealers and will indemnify holders of the Outstanding Notes, including any broker-dealers, against specified types of liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We note, however, that in the opinion of the SEC, indemnification against liabilities under federal securities laws is against public policy and may be unenforceable.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the New Notes will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Houston, Texas.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Southwestern Energy Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the audited historical financial statements of Indigo Natural Resources LLC included in Southwestern Energy Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports (which contains an explanatory paragraph on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Montage Resources Corporation because it was acquired by Southwestern Energy Company in a purchase business combination during 2020) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Montage Resources Corporation incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Estimates of our oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows and the present value thereof were based on a reserve audit prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., Houston, Texas, an independent petroleum engineering firm. Those estimates are included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

Estimates of Indigo Natural Resources LLC’s oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows and the present value thereof were based on a reserve report prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., Dallas, Texas, an independent petroleum engineering firm. Those estimates are included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers of the Issuer

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties, if such directors or officers acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors and officers in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person has been adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his respective duties to the corporation, although the court in which the action or suit was brought may determine upon application that the defendant officers or directors are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided that such provisions will not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under section 174 of the DGCL or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision will eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring before the date when such provision becomes effective. The limitations described above do not affect the ability of Southwestern or its stockholders to seek non-monetary based remedies, such as an injunction or rescission, against a director for breach of his fiduciary duty nor would such limitations limit liability under the federal securities laws.

Southwestern’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws require indemnification of directors and officers to the full extent permitted by law, as now or hereafter in effect. The right to indemnification conferred by Southwestern will include the right to be paid by Southwestern the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

Southwestern’s bylaws require that any indemnification under Article VIII of its bylaws will be made only as authorized based on a determination that indemnification of the present or former director or officer is proper in the circumstances. Such determination will be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) by the stockholders. Such determination will be made, with respect to former directors and officers, by any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of Southwestern. To the extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of Southwestern has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person will be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

Southwestern is authorized under its bylaws to purchase and maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance protecting Southwestern, any director, officer, employee or agent of Southwestern’s or another corporation,

 

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partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not Southwestern would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of Article VIII in the Southwestern Bylaws.

The Southwestern Bylaws and amended and restated certificate of incorporation also permit the Southwestern Board to provide indemnification or advancement of expenses to any of Southwestern’s employees or agents on a basis similar to those conferred in Article VIII of the Southwestern Bylaws to directors and officers of Southwestern.

Indemnification by the Subsidiary Guarantors

Delaware

Article VI of the Operating Agreement of SWN International, LLC requires indemnification of managers and officers to the full extent permitted by law, as now or hereafter in effect. The right to indemnification conferred by such company will include the right to be paid by such company the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

Texas

Each Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN Drilling Company, LLC, SWN E & P Services, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Producer Services, LLC, SWN Production Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC, SWN Water Resources Company, LLC and SWN Well Services, LLC is organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the state of Texas. The Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”) governs Texas limited liability companies. Section 8.051 of the TBOC states that: (a) An enterprise shall indemnify a governing person, former governing person, or delegate against reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with a proceeding in which the person is a respondent because the person is or was a governing person or delegate if the person is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. (b) A court that determines, in a suit for indemnification, that a governing person, former governing person, or delegate is entitled to indemnification under this section shall order indemnification and award to the person the expenses incurred in securing the indemnification.

Section 8.052 states that:    (a) On application of a governing person, former governing person, or delegate and after notice is provided as required by the court, a court may order an enterprise to indemnify the person to the extent the court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances. (b) This section applies without regard to whether the governing person, former governing person, or delegate applying to the court satisfies the requirements of Section 8.101 or has been found liable: (1) to the enterprise; or (2) because the person improperly received a personal benefit, without regard to whether the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person’s official capacity. (c) The indemnification ordered by the court under this section is limited to reasonable expenses if the governing person, former governing person, or delegate is found liable: (1) to the enterprise; or (2) because the person improperly received a personal benefit, without regard to whether the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person’s official capacity.

 

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Section 8.101 states that:    (a) An enterprise may indemnify a governing person, former governing person, or delegate who was, is, or is threatened to be made a respondent in a proceeding to the extent permitted by Section 8.102 if it is determined in accordance with Section 8.103 that: (1) the person: (A) acted in good faith; (B) reasonably believed: (i) in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity, that the person’s conduct was in the enterprise’s best interests; and (ii) in any other case, that the person’s conduct was not opposed to the enterprise’s best interests; and (C) in the case of a criminal proceeding, did not have a reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful; (2) with respect to expenses, the amount of expenses other than a judgment is reasonable; and (3) indemnification should be paid. (b) Action taken or omitted by a governing person or delegate with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of the person’s duties for a purpose reasonably believed by the person to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan is for a purpose that is not opposed to the best interests of the enterprise. (c) Action taken or omitted by a delegate to another enterprise for a purpose reasonably believed by the delegate to be in the interest of the other enterprise or its owners or members is for a purpose that is not opposed to the best interests of the enterprise. (d) A person does not fail to meet the standard under Subsection (a)(1) solely because of the termination of a proceeding by: (1) judgment; (2) order; (3) settlement; (4) conviction; or (5) a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent.

Section 8.102 states that:    (a) Subject to Subsection (b), an enterprise may indemnify a governing person, former governing person, or delegate against: (1) a judgment; and (2) expenses, other than a judgment, that are reasonable and actually incurred by the person in connection with a proceeding. (b) Indemnification under this subchapter of a person who is found liable to the enterprise or is found liable because the person improperly received a personal benefit: (1) is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding; (2) does not include a judgment, a penalty, a fine, and an excise or similar tax, including an excise tax assessed against the person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and (3) may not be made in relation to a proceeding in which the person has been found liable for: (A) willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of the person’s duty to the enterprise; (B) breach of the person’s duty of loyalty owed to the enterprise; or (C) an act or omission not committed in good faith that constitutes a breach of a duty owed by the person to the enterprise. (c) A governing person, former governing person, or delegate is considered to have been found liable in relation to a claim, issue, or matter only if the liability is established by an order, including a judgment or decree of a court, and all appeals of the order are exhausted or foreclosed by law.

Section 8.105(b) states that:    An enterprise shall indemnify an officer to the same extent that indemnification is required under this chapter for a governing person.

Article 5 of each of the Company Agreement of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, Company Agreement of SWN Drilling Company, LLC, Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN E & P Services, LLC, Company Agreement of SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, Company Agreement of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Producer Services Company, LLC, Company Agreement of SWN Production Company, LLC, Company Agreement of SWN Water Resources Company, LLC and Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Well Services, LLC states that such company will indemnify members or officers of such company against all matters for which indemnification would be provided to such member or officer under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Southwestern Energy Company.

Article VI of the Operating Agreement of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC requires indemnification of managers or officers to the full extent permitted by law, as now or hereafter in effect. The right to indemnification conferred by the company will include the right to be paid by such comapny the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

Item 21. Exhibits.

(a)    Exhibits. The exhibits listed below in the “Exhibit Index” are part of this registration statement and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Registration S-K.

 

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Item 22. Undertakings.

The following undertakings are made by each of the undersigned registrants:

(a)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other

 

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equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(e)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

3.1*    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Southwestern Energy Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 24, 2010).
3.2*    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Southwestern Energy Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 13, 2015).
3.3*    Articles of Organization of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC.
3.4*    Operating Agreement of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC.
3.5*    Certificate of Formation of A.W. Realty Company, LLC.
3.6*    Company Agreement of A.W. Realty Company, LLC.
3.7*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Drilling Company, LLC.
3.8*    Company Agreement of SWN Drilling Company, LLC.
3.9*    Certificate of Formation of SWN E & P Services, LLC.
3.10*    Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN E & P Services, LLC.
3.11*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Energy Services Company, LLC.
3.12*    Company Agreement of SWN Energy Services Company, LLC.
3.13*    Certificate of Formation of SWN International, LLC.
3.14*    Operating Agreement of SWN International, LLC.
3.15*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC.
3.16*    Company Agreement of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC.
3.17*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Producer Services, LLC.
3.18*    Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Producer Services, LLC.
3.19*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Production Company, LLC.
3.20*    Company Agreement of SWN Production Company, LLC.
3.21    Certificate of Formation of SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC.
3.22    Limited Liability Company Agreement of SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC.
3.23*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Production (Ohio), LLC.
3.24*    Limited Liability Company Agreement of SWN Production (Ohio), LLC.
3.25*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Water Resources Company, LLC.
3.26*    Company Agreement of SWN Water Resources Company, LLC.
3.27*    Certificate of Formation of SWN Well Services, LLC.
3.28*    Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Well Services, LLC.
4.1*    Indenture by and among Southwestern Energy Company, SEECO, Inc. Southwestern Energy Production Company, Southwestern Energy Services Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of March 5, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 6, 2012).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

4.2*    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November  29, 2017 between Southwestern Energy Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 1, 2017).
4.3*    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April  26, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2018).
4.4*    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September  17, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2018).
4.5*    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  10, 2020 between Southwestern Energy Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2021).
4.6    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 10, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.
4.7*    Form of 4.10% Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2012).
4.8*    Indenture, dated as of January  23, 2015 between Southwestern Energy Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2015).
4.9*    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September  25, 2017 between Southwestern Energy Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2017).
4.10*    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November  29, 2017 between Southwestern Energy Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 1, 2017).
4.11*    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April  26, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April  26, 2018).
4.12*    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  3, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March  1, 2021).
4.13*    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  10, 2020 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March  1, 2021).
4.14    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 10, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and Regions Bank, as trustee.
4.15*    Form of 4.95% Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2015)
4.16*    Indenture, dated as of September  25, 2017 between Southwestern Energy Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2017)

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

4.17*    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September  25, 2017 between Southwestern Energy Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2017)
4.18*    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April  26, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April  26, 2018).
4.19*    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  3, 2018 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March  1, 2021).
4.20*    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August  27, 2020 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August  27, 2020).
4.21*    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December  10, 2020 between Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March  1, 2021).
4.22*    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 30, 2021, among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2021).
4.23    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 10, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
4.24*    Form of 7.50% Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2017).
4.25*    Form of 7.75% Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 25, 2017).
4.26*    Form of 8.375% Notes due 2028. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 27, 2020).
4.27*    Credit Agreement, dated as of April  26, 2018, among Southwestern Energy Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2018).
4.28*    Indenture dated August  30, 2021, between Southwestern Energy Company and Regions Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2021).
4.29*    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 30, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors party therein and Regions Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2021).
4.30*    Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September  3, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the Security Guarantors party thereto and Regions Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September  3, 2021).
4.31    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 10, 2021 among Southwestern Energy Company, the guarantors named therein and Regions Bank, as trustee.
4.32*    Form of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 3, 2021).

 

II-8


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

4.33*    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated 3, 2021, among Southwestern Energy Company, the Guarantors thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2021).
4.34    Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021 among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
4.35    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 26, 2021 among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
4.36    Form of 5.375% Notes due 2029.
5.1    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP.
22    List of Subsidiary Guarantors.
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Southwestern Energy Company.
23.2    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Auditors of Indigo Natural Resources LLC.
23.3    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Montage Resources Corporation.
23.4    Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.5    Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*    Powers of Attorney of Southwestern Energy Company (included on signature pages).
24.2*    Powers of Attorney of Subsidiary Guarantor Registrants (included on signature pages).
25.1*    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Regions Bank, as trustee under the indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 above (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-3 filed on August 16, 2021).

 

*

Previously filed.

 

II-9


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Spring, State of Texas, on October 12, 2021.

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:   /s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.
  Name:   Carl Giesler, Jr.
  Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

William J. Way

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
  October 12, 2021

*

Colin P. O’Beirne

   Vice President, Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
  October 12, 2021

*

John D. Gass

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

Catherine A. Kehr

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

Greg D. Kerley

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

Patrick M. Prevost

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

Anne Taylor

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

S.P. Johnson IV

   Director   October 12, 2021

*

Denis J. Walsh III

   Director   October 12, 2021

 

*By:   /s/ Chris Lacy
  Chris Lacy
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-10


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Spring, State of Texas, on October 12, 2021.

 

Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member of:

A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC

SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC

SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC

SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (LOUISIANA), LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC

SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC

By:   /s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.
Name:   Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Clay A. Carrell

   President (Principal Executive Officer) of each of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN E & P Services, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Production Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC and SWN Water Resources Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Andy T. Huggins

   President (Principal Executive Officer) of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of each of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN E & P Services, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC and SWN Water Resources Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

 

II-11


Table of Contents

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Colin P. O’Beirne

   Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) of each of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN E & P Services, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC and SWN Water Resources Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as the sole member of each of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, SWN E & P Services, LLC, SWN International, LLC, SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, SWN Production (Ohio), LLC and SWN Water Resources Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

 

*By:   /s/ Chris Lacy
  Chris Lacy
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Spring, State of Texas, on October 12, 2021.

 

Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as sole member of SWN E&P Services, LLC, as sole member of:

 

SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC

By:   /s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.
Name:   Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Office

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Clay A. Carrell

   President (Principal Executive Officer) of SWN Well Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of SWN Well Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Colin P. O’Beirne

   Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) of SWN Well Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as sole member of SWN E & P Services, LLC in its capacity as the sole member of SWN Well Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

 

*By:   /s/ Chris Lacy
  Chris Lacy
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-13


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Spring, State of Texas, on October 12, 2021.

 

Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as sole member of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, as sole member of:

 

ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, LLC

SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

By:   /s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.
Name:   Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Andy T. Huggins

   President (Principal Executive Officer) of each of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC and SWN Producer Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of each of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC and SWN Producer Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Colin P. O’Beirne

   Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) of each of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC and SWN Producer Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as the sole member of Southwestern Midstream Services Company in its capacity as the sole member of each of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, SWN Energy Services Company, LLC and SWN Producer Services, LLC   October 12, 2021

 

*By:   /s/ Chris Lacy
  Chris Lacy
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-14


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Spring, State of Texas, on October 12, 2021.

 

Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as sole member of SWN Production Company, as sole member of:

 

SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC

By:   /s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.
Name:   Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Clay A. Carrell

   President (Principal Executive Officer) of SWN Drilling Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of SWN Drilling Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Colin P. O’Beirne

   Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) of SWN Drilling Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

*

Carl Giesler, Jr.

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southwestern Energy Company in its capacity as sole member of SWN Production Company, LLC in its capacity as the sole member of SWN Drilling Company, LLC   October 12, 2021

 

*By:   /s/ Chris Lacy
  Chris Lacy
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-15

EX-3.21

Exhibit 3.21

 

Form 205

(Revised 05/11)

 

Submit in duplicate to:

Secretary of State

  

LOGO

Certificate of Formation

Limited Liability Company

   This space reserved for office use.    
  
  
  

P.O. Box 13697

  

Austin, TX 78711-3697

  

512 463-5555

  

FAX: 512 463-5709

  

Filing Fee: $300

    

Article 1 – Entity Name and Type

The filing entity being formed is a limited liability company. The name of the entity is:

 SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC

 

The name must contain the words “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or an abbreviation of one of these phrases.

Article 2 – Registered Agent and Registered Office

(See instructions. Select and complete either A or B and complete C.)

☒ A. The initial registered agent is an organization (cannot be entity named above) by the name of:

 C T Corporation System

 

OR

☐ B. The initial registered agent is an individual resident of the state whose name is set forth below:

 

 

  First Name    M.I.    Last Name    Suffix                

C. The business address of the registered agent and the registered office address is:

  

 

 1999 Bryan St. Suite 900    Dallas    TX       75201-3136
  Street Address    City    State        Zip Code

Article 3—Governing Authority

(Select and complete either A or B and provide the name and address of each governing person.)

☐ A. The limited liability company will have managers. The name and address of each initial manager are set forth below.

☒ B. The limited liability company will not have managers. The company will be governed by its members, and the name and address of each initial member are set forth below.

 

GOVERNING PERSON 1
NAME (Enter the name of either an individual or an organization, but not both.)           
    IF INDIVIDUAL                    
   
                       
    First Name    M.I.         Last Name              Suffix
    OR                    
    IF ORGANIZATION                    
   
    Southwestern Energy Company                    
    Organization Name                              
ADDRESS
10000 Energy Drive         Spring         TX    USA    77389
Street or Mailing Address         City         State    Country    Zip Code

 

 

Form 205    4   


GOVERNING PERSON 2
NAME (Enter the name of either an individual or an organization, but not both.)           
    IF INDIVIDUAL                    
   
                       
    First Name    M.I.         Last Name              Suffix
    OR                    
    IF ORGANIZATION                    
   
                       
    Organization Name                              
ADDRESS
                                   
Street or Mailing Address         City         State    Country    Zip Code

 

GOVERNING PERSON 3
NAME (Enter the name of either an individual or an organization, but not both.)           
    IF INDIVIDUAL                    
   
                       
    First Name    M.I.         Last Name              Suffix
    OR                    
    IF ORGANIZATION                    
   
                       
    Organization Name                              
ADDRESS
                                   
Street or Mailing Address         City         State    Country    Zip Code

Article 4 – Purpose

The purpose for which the company is formed is for the transaction of any and all lawful purposes for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Texas Business Organizations Code.

Supplemental Provisions/Information

Text Area: [The attached addendum, if any, is incorporated herein by reference.]

 

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC is being formed pursuant to a plan of conversion.. The name and mailing address of the converting entity are as follows: Indigo Natural Resources LLC, 10000 Energy Drive, Spring, Texas 77389. Indigo Natural Resources LLC is a Delaware limited liability company formed on January 8, 2018 and was registered in Texas as a foreign entity on January 26, 2018 and assigned file number 0802919337.

 

 

 

Form 205    5   


Organizer

The name and address of the organizer:

 

  Southwestern Energy Company
  Name         
  10000 Energy Drive    Spring    TX    77389
  Street or Mailing Address    City    State    Zip Code

Effectiveness of Filing (Select either A, B, or C.)

A. ☒ This document becomes effective when the document is filed by the secretary of state.

B. ☐ This document becomes effective at a later date, which is not more than ninety (90) days from the date of signing. The delayed effective date is:                                                                                       

C. ☐ This document takes effect upon the occurrence of the future event or fact, other than the passage of time. The 90th day after the date of signing is:                                                                                       

The following event or fact will cause the document to take effect in the manner described below:

 

 

                        

Execution

The undersigned affirms that the person designated as registered agent has consented to the appointment. The undersigned signs this document subject to the penalties imposed by law for the submission of a materially false or fraudulent instrument and certifies under penalty of perjury that the undersigned is authorized to execute the filing instrument.

 

Date:  

    September 7, 2021

   

 

/s/ Chris Lacy

Signature of organizer

Chris Lacy, Authorized Officer

Printed or typed name of organizer

 

Form 205    6   
EX-3.22

Exhibit 3.22

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

SWN PRODUCTION (LOUISIANA), LLC

This Company Agreement (this “Agreement”) of SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “Company”), effective as of September 7, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between the Company and Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation, (the “Member”) as the sole member of the Company.

WHEREAS, the Company was previously formed as Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Converted Entity”), on January 8, 2018.

WHEREAS, on September 7, 2021, the Converted Entity adopted, and the member of the Converted Entity approved, a plan of conversion providing for the conversion (the “Conversion”) of the Converted Entity into the Company, pursuant to and in accordance with the Texas Business Organizations Code, as amended (the “TBOC”) and Section 18-216 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”).

WHEREAS, the Conversion became effective upon the filing of a certificate of conversion and a certificate of formation (as amended or restated, the “Certificate of Formation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, pursuant to and in accordance with the TBOC; and

WHEREAS, the Member and the Company agree that membership in and management of the Company shall be governed by the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Member and the Company agree as follows:

1. Name. The name of the Company is SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC.

2. Purpose. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful purposes for which a limited liability company may be formed under the TBOC and to engage in any and all necessary or incidental activities.

3. Powers. The Company shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes for which it is organized, including the powers granted by the TBOC.

4. Principal Office; Registered Agent and Office.

4.1 Principal Office. The location of the principal office of the Company shall be 10000 Energy Drive, Spring, Texas 77389 or such other location as the Member may from time to time designate.

4.2 Registered Agent and Office. The registered agent of the Company for service of process in the State of Texas and the registered office of the Company in the State of Texas shall be that person and location reflected in the Certificate of Formation or such other person and office as the Member may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law.

5. Members.

5.1 Initial Member. The Member owns 100% of the membership interests of the Company. The name and the mailing address of the Member are as follows:

Southwestern Energy Company

10000 Energy Drive

Spring, TX 77389

Attention: General Counsel

5.2 Additional Members. One or more additional members may be admitted to the Company with the written consent of the Member. Prior to the admission of any such additional members to the Company, the Member shall amend this Agreement or adopt a new company agreement to make such changes as the Member shall determine to reflect the fact that the Company shall have such additional members. Each additional member shall execute and deliver a joinder, supplement, or counterpart to any such amendment to this Agreement, as necessary.


5.3 Membership Interests; Certificates. The Company will not issue any certificates to evidence ownership of the membership interests.

6. Management.

6.1 Authority; Powers and Duties of the Member. The Company shall be member-managed. The Member shall have exclusive and complete authority and discretion to manage the operations and affairs of the Company and to make all decisions regarding the business of the Company. Any action taken by the Member, on behalf of the Company, shall constitute the act of, and serve to bind, the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Member as set forth in this Agreement. The Member shall have such authority, rights and powers in the management of the Company to do any and all acts and things necessary, proper, convenient or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

6.2 Election of Officers; Delegation of Authority. The Member may, from time to time, designate one or more officers with such titles as may be designated by the Member to act in the name of the Company with such authority as may be delegated to such officers by the Member (each such designated person, an “Officer”). Any such Officer shall act pursuant to such delegated authority until the Officer is removed by the Member. Any action taken by an Officer designated by the Member pursuant to authority delegated to such Officer shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of any Officer set forth in this Agreement and any instrument designating such Officer and the authority delegated to him or her.

7. Liability of Member; Indemnification.

7.1 Liability of Member. Except as otherwise required in the TBOC, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and the Member shall not be personally liable for any such debt, obligation, or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member of the Company or participating in the management of the Company.

7.2 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by Chapter 8 of the TBOC, including all permissive provisions thereof which shall be considered mandatory for purposes of this Agreement, the Member (irrespective of the capacity in which the Member acts) shall be entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses from the Company for and against any loss, damage, judgment, fine, liability, claim, or expense (including attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against such loss, damage, judgment, fine, liability, or claim and any amounts expended in settlement of any claims) whatsoever incurred by the Member relating to or arising out of any act or omission or alleged act or omission (whether or not constituting negligence or gross negligence) performed or omitted by the Member on behalf of the Company; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 7.2 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only and neither the Member nor any other person shall have any personal liability on account thereof.

8. Term. The term of the Company is perpetual unless the Company is terminated in accordance with Section 12.

9. Capital Contributions. The Member hereby agrees to contribute to the Company such cash, property, or services from time to time, or loan funds to the Company, in each case as the Member may determine in the Member’s sole and absolute discretion; provided, that absent such determination, the Member is under no obligation whatsoever, either express or implied, to make any such contribution or loan to the Company.

 

2


10. Tax Status; Income and Deductions.

10.1 Tax Status. As long as the Company has only one member, it is the intention of the Company and the Member that the Company be treated as a disregarded entity for federal and all relevant state tax purposes and neither the Company nor the Member shall take any action or make any election which is inconsistent with such tax treatment. All provisions of this Agreement are to be construed so as to preserve the Company’s tax status as a disregarded entity.

10.2 Income and Deductions. All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company (including, without limitation, items not subject to federal or state income tax) shall be treated for federal and all relevant state income tax purposes as items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Member.

11. Distributions. Distributions shall be made to the Member at the times and in the amounts determined by the Member.

12. Winding Up and Termination.

12.1 Termination Events. The Company shall begin to wind up its business and affairs upon the first to occur of the following:

(a) the written consent of the Member; or

(b) any other event or circumstance requiring winding up of the Company under Section 11.051 of the TBOC, unless the Company’s existence is continued pursuant to the TBOC.

12.2 Winding Up. Upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 12.1 above, the Company shall immediately commence to wind up its business and affairs (if the event has not been revoked or cancelled), but the Company shall not terminate until the winding up of the Company has been completed, the assets of the Company have been distributed as provided in Section 12.3 below, and a certificate of termination (“Certificate of Termination”) shall have been filed as provided in Section 12.4 below. During the period of the winding up of the business and affairs of the Company, the rights and obligations of the Member under this Agreement shall continue.

12.3 Distributions. If the Company is to be terminated pursuant to this Section 12, the Company shall be liquidated and its business and affairs wound up in accordance with the TBOC and the following provisions:

(a) Liquidator. The Member or other person designated by the Member shall act as liquidator to wind up the Company (the “Liquidator”). The Liquidator shall have full power and authority to sell, assign and encumber any or all of the Company’s assets and to wind up and liquidate the affairs of the Company in an orderly and business-like manner.

(b) Notice. The Liquidator shall deliver to each known claimant of the Company the notice required by Section 11.052 of the TBOC.

(c) Distribution of Proceeds. The Liquidator shall liquidate the assets of the Company and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation in the following order of priority, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of the TBOC:

(i) First, to the payment of all of the Company’s debts and liabilities to its creditors (including the Member, if applicable) and the expenses of liquidation (including sales commissions incident to any sales of assets of the Company);

 

3


(ii) Second, to the establishment of and additions to reserves that are determined by the Member to be reasonably necessary for any contingent unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company; and

(iii) Third, to the Member.

12.4 Certificate of Termination. Upon completion of the winding up of the affairs of the Company as provided in this Section 12.3(a), the Member shall execute and cause to be filed a Certificate of Termination in the State of Texas and shall cause the cancellation of all qualifications and registrations of the Company as a foreign limited liability company in jurisdictions other than the State of Texas and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company. Upon acceptance of the Certificate of Termination by the Texas Secretary of State, the Company shall be terminated.

13. Miscellaneous.

13.1 Amendments. Amendments to this Agreement may be made only with the written consent of the Member.

13.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

13.3 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, unless such action would substantially impair the benefits to any party of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

13.4 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

[Signature page follows]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

MEMBER

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY,

a Delaware corporation

/s/ Chris Lacy

Name: Chris Lacy

Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

COMPANY:

 

SWN PRODUCTION (LOUISIANA), LLC,

a Texas limited liability company

 

By: SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY

        its sole member

/s/ Chris Lacy

Name: Chris Lacy

Title: Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

[Signature Page to Limited Liability Company Agreement]

EX-4.6

Exhibit 4.6

FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (“Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 10, 2021, among (i) SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (ii) A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC, a Texas limited liability company, SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (each Person in this clause (ii), an “Existing Guaranteeing Subsidiary,” and together, the “Existing Guaranteeing Subsidiaries”), each, a subsidiary of the Company, (iii) INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Additional Guaranteeing Subsidiary”, and together with the Existing Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, the “Guaranteeing Subsidiaries”), a subsidiary of the Company, and (iv) THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated as of March 5, 2012, a first supplemental indenture (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of November 29, 2017, a second supplemental indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of April 26, 2018, a third supplemental indenture (the “Third Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 17, 2018, a fourth supplemental indenture, dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture” and, the Base Indenture as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Third Supplemental Indenture and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 4.10% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, Section 3.10 of the Indenture provides that if any of the Company’s Subsidiaries that is not a Note Guarantor guarantees, becomes a borrower or guarantor under, or grants any Lien to secure any obligations pursuant to (i) the Senior Credit Facility or any future Credit Facility, or (ii) any other indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $500.0 million, then the Company shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Note Guarantor by executing a supplement to the Indenture and delivering such supplement to the Trustee promptly (but in any event within ten Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such obligations or granted such Lien, as the case may be), in accordance with Article X of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Additional Guaranteeing Subsidiary has been added as a guarantor to the Senior Credit Facility (as defined in the Indenture); and


WHEREAS, all acts and requirements necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company have been done;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested and hereby requests that the Trustee join with the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries in the execution of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee, as applicable, mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Guarantee. The Additional Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby provides a Note Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture including, but not limited to, Article X thereof.

3. No Recourse Against Others. An incorporator, director, officer, employee, stockholder or controlling Person, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, the Indenture, this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or any Note Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability.

4. Governing Law. THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5. Counterparts. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original; and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture by facsimile or electronic transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

The exchange of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages that are executed by manual signatures that are scanned, photocopied or faxed or by other electronic signing created on an electronic platform (such as DocuSign) or by digital signing (such as Adobe Sign) that is acceptable to the Trustee shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Fifth


Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto that are executed by manual signatures that are scanned, photocopied or faxed or by other electronic signing created on an electronic platform (such as DocuSign) or by digital signing (such as Adobe Sign) that is acceptable to the Trustee shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original.

6. Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

7. The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible and makes no representation as to the validity, sufficiency or adequacy of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, and it shall not be responsible for the recitals or statements in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, all of which are made solely by the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. All of the provisions contained in the Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of the Notes and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or fully and with like effect as if set forth in full herein.

[Signature pages follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: September 10, 2021

 

 

A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC

 

ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, LLC

 

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC

 

SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC

 

SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC

 

SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC

 

SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC

 

SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC

 

SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

 

SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC

 

SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC

 

SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

 

By:

 

/s/ Shannon Matthews

Name:

 

Shannon Matthews

Title:

 

Vice President

EX-4.14

Exhibit 4.14

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 10, 2021, among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the other Security Guarantors named therein (as defined in the Indenture referred to below), and Regions Bank, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore entered into an Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2015 (the “Base Indenture”) providing for the issuance from time to time of Securities in one or more series;

WHEREAS, the Company, the other Security Guarantors named therein, as applicable, and the Trustee have heretofore entered into a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 23, 2015 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 25, 2017 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 29, 2017 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture”), a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 26, 2018 (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture”), a Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 3, 2018 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”) and a Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) amending and supplementing the Base Indenture and establishing a series of Securities designated as the Company’s 4.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Third Supplemental Indenture, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as supplemented from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture;” and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.01 and 10.06 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee, as applicable, mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of Notes as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Relation to Indenture.

With respect to the Notes, this Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02 Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented.

SECTION 1.03 General References.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references in this Supplemental Indenture to Articles and Sections refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) the terms “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and any other word of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

1


ARTICLE TWO

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

SECTION 2.01 Agreement To Guarantee.

The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby guarantees all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including without limitation in Article XI of the Indenture, Article VII of the First Supplemental Indenture, 5.03 of the Second Supplemental Indenture and Section 5.03 of the Third Supplemental Indenture and shall be deemed to be a Security Guarantor with respect to the Notes for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.01 Certain Trustee Matters.

The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.

The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or any Securities Guarantee or the proper authorization or the due execution hereof or thereof by the Company.

Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall alter the duties, rights or obligations of the Trustee set forth in the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented.

SECTION 3.02. Continued Effect.

Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Indenture, in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 3.03. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 3.04. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original; and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Headings.

The Article and Section headings in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: September 10, 2021

 

A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC
ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.
INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC
SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC
SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC
SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC

SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC
SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
TRUSTEE
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ James C. Henry

  Authorized Signatory

 

3

EX-4.23

Exhibit 4.23

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 10, 2021, among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the other Security Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore entered into an Indenture dated as of September 25, 2017 (the “Base Indenture”) providing for the issuance from time to time of Securities in one or more series;

WHEREAS, the Company, the other Security Guarantors named therein and the Trustee have heretofore entered into a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 25, 2017 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 26, 2018 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 3, 2018 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture”), a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 27, 2020 (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture”), a Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 10, 2020 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”) and a Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 30, 2021 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) amending and supplementing the Base Indenture and establishing series of Securities designated as the Company’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2026, 7.750% Senior Notes due 2027 and 8.375% Senior Notes due 2028 (collectively, the “Notes”);”

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Third Supplemental Indenture, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall fully and unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as supplemented from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture;” and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the other Security Guarantors and the Trustee, as applicable, mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of Notes as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Relation to Indenture.

With respect to the Notes, this Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02 Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented.

SECTION 1.03 General References.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references in this Supplemental Indenture to Articles and Sections refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) the terms “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and any other word of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

SECTION 2.01 Agreement To Guarantee.

The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including without limitation in Article XI of the Base Indenture, Article VII of the First Supplemental Indenture and Article VII of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture and shall be deemed to be a Security Guarantor with respect to the Notes for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.01 Certain Trustee Matters.

The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.

The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for, and makes no representations as to, the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or any Securities Guarantee or the proper authorization or the due execution hereof or thereof by the Company.

 

2


All of the provisions contained in the Indenture in respect of the duties, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and obligations of the Trustee set forth in the Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, shall be applicable in respect of the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 3.02. Continued Effect.

Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Indenture, in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 3.03. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 3.04. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original; and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to this Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Headings.

The Article and Section headings in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: September 10, 2021

 

A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC
ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.
INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC
SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC
SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC
SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC

SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC
SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

4


TRUSTEE
U.S. Bank NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Alejandro Hoyos

  Authorized Signatory

 

5

EX-4.31

Exhibit 4.31

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 10, 2021, among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the other Security Guarantors named therein (as defined in the Indenture referred to below), and Regions Bank, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore entered into an Indenture dated as of August 30, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”) providing for the issuance from time to time of Securities in one or more series;

WHEREAS, the Company, the other Security Guarantors named therein, as applicable, and the Trustee have heretofore entered into a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 30, 2021 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”) amending and supplementing the Base Indenture and establishing a series of Securities designated as the Company’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Base Indenture, as supplemented from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, is referred to herein as the “Indenture;” and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 10.01 and 10.06 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee, as applicable, mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of Notes as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Relation to Indenture.

With respect to the Notes, this Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

 

1


SECTION 1.02 Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented.

SECTION 1.03 General References.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references in this Supplemental Indenture to Articles and Sections refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) the terms “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and any other word of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

SECTION 2.01 Agreement To Guarantee.

The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby guarantees all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (but only with respect to the Notes, and not with respect to any other series of Securities) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including without limitation in Article XI of the Indenture and Article VII of the First Supplemental Indenture and shall be deemed to be a Security Guarantor with respect to the Notes for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.01. Certain Trustee Matters.

The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.

The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or any Securities Guarantee or the proper authorization or the due execution hereof or thereof by the Company.

Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall alter the duties, rights or obligations of the Trustee set forth in the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented.

SECTION 3.02. Continued Effect.

Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Base Indenture, as heretofore amended and supplemented, is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Indenture, in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

 

2


SECTION 3.03. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 3.04. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original; and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Supplemental Indenture. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Headings.

The Article and Section headings in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: September 10, 2021

 

A.W. REALTY COMPANY, LLC
ANGELINA GATHERING COMPANY, L.L.C.
INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
SWN DRILLING COMPANY, LLC
SWN E & P SERVICES, LLC
SWN ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN INTERNATIONAL, LLC
SWN MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY, LLC
SWN PRODUCER SERVICES, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

SWN PRODUCTION (OHIO), LLC

SWN WATER RESOURCES COMPANY, LLC
SWN WELL SERVICES, LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Carl Giesler, Jr.

Name: Carl Giesler, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

4


TRUSTEE
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee
By:  

James C. Henry

  Authorized Signatory

 

5

EX-4.34

Exhibit 4.34

Executed Version

 

 

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of February 2, 2021

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
  ARTICLE 1   
  DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION   
  BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01

  Definitions      1  

Section 1.02

  Other Definitions      35  

Section 1.03

  Rules of Construction      36  
  ARTICLE 2   
  THE NOTES   

Section 2.01

  Form and Dating      37  

Section 2.02

  Execution and Authentication      37  

Section 2.03

  Registrar and Paying Agent      38  

Section 2.04

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      38  

Section 2.05

  Holder Lists      39  

Section 2.06

  Transfer and Exchange      39  

Section 2.07

  Replacement Notes      52  

Section 2.08

  Outstanding Notes      52  

Section 2.09

  Treasury Notes      52  

Section 2.10

  Temporary Notes      52  

Section 2.11

  Cancellation      53  

Section 2.12

  Defaulted Interest      53  

Section 2.13

  Computation of Interest      53  

Section 2.14

  CUSIP Numbers      53  
  ARTICLE 3   
  REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT   

Section 3.01

  Notices to Trustee      54  

Section 3.02

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      54  

Section 3.03

  Notice of Redemption      54  

Section 3.04

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      56  

Section 3.05

  Deposit of Redemption      56  

Section 3.06

  Notes Redeemed in Part      56  

Section 3.07

  Optional Redemption      57  

Section 3.08

  Mandatory Redemption      58  

Section 3.09

  Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds      58  

 

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  ARTICLE 4   
  COVENANTS   

Section 4.01

  Payment of Notes      60  

Section 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      60  

Section 4.03

  Reports      61  

Section 4.04

  Compliance Certificate      64  

Section 4.05

  Taxes      64  

Section 4.06

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      64  

Section 4.07

  Restricted Payments      64  

Section 4.08

  Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries      71  

Section 4.09

  Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock      74  

Section 4.10

  Asset Sales      80  

Section 4.11

  Transactions with Affiliates      83  

Section 4.12

  Liens      86  

Section 4.13

  Business Activities      86  

Section 4.14

  Organizational Existence      86  

Section 4.15

  Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event      87  

Section 4.16

  Additional Note Guarantees      89  

Section 4.17

  Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries      89  

Section 4.18

  Covenant Suspension      90  
  ARTICLE 5   
  SUCCESSORS   

Section 5.01

  Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets      91  

Section 5.02

  Successor Company Substituted      92  
  ARTICLE 6   
  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01

  Events of Default      92  

Section 6.02

  Acceleration      94  

Section 6.03

  Other Remedies      95  

Section 6.04

  Waiver of Past Defaults      95  

Section 6.05

  Control by Majority      95  

Section 6.06

  Limitation on Suits      96  

Section 6.07

  Collection Suit by Trustee      96  

Section 6.08

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      96  

Section 6.09

  Priorities      97  

Section 6.10

  Undertaking for Costs      97  
  ARTICLE 7   
  TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01

  Duties of Trustee      97  

Section 7.02

  Rights of Trustee      98  

Section 7.03

  Individual Rights of Trustee      100  

Section 7.04

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      100  

Section 7.05

  Notice of Defaults      100  

 

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Section 7.06

  [Reserved.]      100  

Section 7.07

  Compensation and Indemnity      100  

Section 7.08

  Replacement of Trustee      101  

Section 7.09

  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      102  

Section 7.10

  Eligibility; Disqualification      102  

Section 7.11

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      103  
  ARTICLE 8   
  LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      103  

Section 8.02

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      103  

Section 8.03

  Covenant Defeasance      104  

Section 8.04

  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      104  

Section 8.05

  Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      106  

Section 8.06

  Repayment to Company      106  

Section 8.07

  Reinstatement      106  
  ARTICLE 9   
  AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01

  Without Consent of Holders of Notes      107  

Section 9.02

  With Consent of Holders of Notes      108  

Section 9.03

  Revocation and Effect of Consents      109  

Section 9.04

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      110  

Section 9.05

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      110  
  ARTICLE 10   
  NOTE GUARANTEES   

Section 10.01

  Guarantee      110  

Section 10.02

  Limitation on Guarantor Liability      111  

Section 10.03

  Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee      112  

Section 10.04

  Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms      112  

Section 10.05

  Releases      113  
  ARTICLE 11   
  SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01

  Satisfaction and Discharge      114  

Section 11.02

  Application of Trust Money      115  
  ARTICLE 12   
  MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01

  Notices      116  

Section 12.02

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      117  

 

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Section 12.03

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      117  

Section 12.04

  Rules by Trustee and Agents      118  

Section 12.05

  No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees and Members      118  

Section 12.06

  Governing Law      118  

Section 12.07

  Waiver of Jury Trial      118  

Section 12.08

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      118  

Section 12.09

  Successors      118  

Section 12.10

  Severability      118  

Section 12.11

  Counterpart Originals; Electronic Signature      119  

Section 12.12

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      119  

Section 12.13

  Payment Date Other Than a Business Day      119  

Section 12.14

  Evidence of Action by Holders      120  

Section 12.15

  U.S.A.      120  

Section 12.16

  Force Majeure      120  
  EXHIBITS   

Exhibit A

  FORM OF NOTE   

Exhibit B

  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER   

Exhibit C

  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE   

Exhibit D

  FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE   

 

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Exhibit 4.34

INDENTURE dated as of February 2, 2021 among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee (as defined herein).

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

  (a)

the sum of:

 

  (i)

the discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated in the reserve report prepared either as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year or, at the Company’s option, the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, which reserve report is prepared or audited by an independent petroleum engineer as to Proved Reserves accounting for at least 80% of all such discounted future net revenues and by the Company’s petroleum engineers with respect to any other Proved Reserves covered by such reserve report, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

 

1


  (A)

estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable; and

 

  (B)

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

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

 

  (C)

estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end or quarterly reserve report, as applicable, and

 

  (D)

reductions in estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves since the date of such reserve report due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

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

 

  (ii)

the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no Proved Reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available;

 

  (iii)

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

 

2


  (iv)

the greater of:

 

  (A)

the net book value and

 

  (B)

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

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

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

 

  (b)

the sum of

 

  (i)

minority interests;

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

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

 

  (iv)

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

 

3


If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full cost method or a similar method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting. For the avoidance of doubt, “reserves” shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids.

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

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note at the time of computation, the excess, if any, of:

 

  (a)

the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of the Note at February 1, 2024 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07(d) hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through February 1, 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such time plus 50 basis points discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months); over

 

  (b)

the principal amount of such Note.

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

Asset Sale” means:

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

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, other than Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof.

 

4


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

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million;

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

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

(4) the sale, lease or other disposition of products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property) that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole;

(5) licenses and sublicenses by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of software or intellectual property, including seismic data and interpretations thereof, in the ordinary course of business;

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

(7) the granting of Liens not prohibited by Section 4.12 hereof and dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

(8) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents or other financial instruments (other than Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts);

(9) a Restricted Payment (or payment or transfer that would be a Restricted Payment but for an exception to the definition thereof) that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

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

(11) an Asset Swap;

(12) dispositions of crude oil and natural gas properties; provided that at the time of any such disposition such properties do not have associated with them any Proved Reserves;

 

5


(13) any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

(14) the abandonment, farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business or which are usual and customary in the Oil and Gas Business generally or in the geographic region in which such activities occur, including pursuant to any agreement or arrangement described in the definition of Permitted Business Investments;

(15) any issuance, disposition or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness, assets or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(16) the early termination or unwinding of any Hedging Obligations; or

(17) the disposition of any assets (including Equity Interests) made in connection with the approval of any applicable antitrust authority or otherwise necessary or advisable in the good faith determination of the Company to consummate any acquisition permitted under this Indenture.

Asset Swap” means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 180 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any assets or properties used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person, or any other exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code; provided, that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any net cash received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof if then in effect.

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

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

 

6


Board of Directors” means:

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

(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership;

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

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

With respect to the Company, Board of Directors refers to the Company’s board of directors.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or another authorized Officer of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Borrowing Base” means, with respect to borrowings under the Credit Agreement and any amendment to and/or modification or replacement of the foregoing in the form of a reserve-based borrowing base credit facility, in each case with lenders that include commercial banks regulated by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the maximum amount determined or redetermined by the lenders thereunder as the aggregate lending value to be ascribed to the Oil and Gas Properties and other assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries against which such lenders are prepared to provide loans, letters of credit or other Indebtedness to the credit parties, using customary practices and standards for determining reserve-based borrowing base loans and which are generally applied to borrowers in the Oil and Gas Business by commercial lenders, as determined semi-annually during each year and/or on such other occasions as may be required or provided for therein.

Business Day” means each day that is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Issue Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018 will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

Capital Stock” means:

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

 

7


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

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

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

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

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

(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank or any branch or agency of a non-U.S. bank licensed to conduct business in the United States, in each case having combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million and a short term deposit rating no lower than A2 or P2 by S&P or Moody’s, respectively;

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

(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of creation thereof; and

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

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

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or one or more Qualifying Owners (including any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act));

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

 

8


(3) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” as defined above), excluding any Qualifying Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company or, if New Parent owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, New Parent, measured by voting power rather than number of shares.

Notwithstanding the preceding or any provision of Section 13(d)-3 of the Exchange Act, (i) a Person or group shall not be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock subject to a stock or asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, warrant agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option or similar agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the acquisition of the Voting Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by such agreement, (ii) if any group includes one or more Qualifying Owners, the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Company owned, directly or indirectly, by any Qualifying Owners that are part of such group shall not be treated as being beneficially owned by such group or any other member of such group for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred and (iii) a Person or group will not be deemed to beneficially own the Voting Stock of another Person as a result of its ownership of Voting Stock or other securities of such other Person’s parent entity (or related contractual rights) unless it owns 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of such parent entity having a majority of the aggregate votes on the board of directors (or similar body) of such parent entity.

Notwithstanding the preceding, (i) a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity, (ii) an exchange of all the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests in another form of entity, or (iii) the Reorganization Transactions each shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as immediately following such conversion or exchange or transaction no “person” (other than a Qualifying Owner) Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity (or its general partner, if applicable). No Change of Control will be deemed to have occurred unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means both a Change of Control and a Rating Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, no Change of Control Triggering Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually been consummated.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A., as operator of the Clearstream system.

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any successor statute thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Company” means Indigo Natural Resources LLC, and any and all successors thereto.

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

 

9


(1) provision for taxes based on income or profits (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) or Permitted Tax Distributions of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes or Permitted Tax Distributions were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

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

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

(4) consolidated exploration and abandonment expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

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

(6) to the extent increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments,

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

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

(1) all extraordinary gains or losses and all gains or losses realized in connection with the disposition of securities or the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, and all gains or losses realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business or any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person, in each case together with any related provision for taxes or Permitted Tax Distributions on any such gains, will be excluded;

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

 

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

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

(5) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815, will be excluded;

(6) any asset impairment write-downs on Oil and Gas Properties or other assets under GAAP or SEC guidelines will be excluded;

(7) any non-cash compensation charge or gain arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards will be excluded; and

(8) an amount equal to the Permitted Tax Distributions paid for such period will be excluded.

Consolidated Net Working Capital” of any Person as of any date of determination means the amount (shown on the balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of such Person for which internal financial statements are available) by which (a) all current assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than current assets from Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, exceeds (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than (i) current liabilities included in Indebtedness, (ii) current liabilities associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties and (iii) any current liabilities from Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to FASB ASC 815).

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

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.01 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

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Credit Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2018, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements, executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time with one or more commercial banks.

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

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

Customary Recourse Exceptions” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

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

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

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

Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the basis of such valuation and executed by the Chief Financial Officer and one other Officer of the Company, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

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

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

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

Equity Interests” of any Person means (1) any and all Capital Stock of such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Equity Interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests.

Equity Offering” means a public or private sale of Equity Interests (excluding Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (provided that in the case of an Equity Offering by any direct or indirect parent of the Company, the net cash proceeds are contributed to the equity capital of the Company) for cash, other than:

(1) public offerings with respect to the Company’s or such parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company; and

(3) any such public or private sale or issuance that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds received after the Original Issue Date by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as common equity capital contributions or from an Equity Offering (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary), in each case to the extent designated as an Excluded Contribution pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company within 60 days of the date of such capital contribution and not previously included in the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) for purposes of determining whether a Restricted Payment may be made; provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, may subsequently undesignated any previously designated Excluded Contribution (to the extent such proceeds have not been applied to make Restricted Payments) pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

Existing Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid (including the Existing Unsecured Notes).

Existing Unsecured Notes” means the Company’s 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2026 issued on the Original Issue Date.

Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company in the case of amounts of $40.0 million or more and otherwise by an officer of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

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

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDAX of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by the chief financial or accounting officer of the specified Person; provided that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated EBITDAX, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC).

 

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

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or by any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including all related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, or that are to be made on the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect (regardless of whether such adjustments could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

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

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

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

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

(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

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

(1) the consolidated interest expense, net of cash interest income, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, (ii) the write-off of deferred financing costs and (iii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, (iv) Non-Recourse Debt and (v) interest expense attributable to the movement of the mark-to-market valuation of obligations under Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments, including pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815—Derivatives and Hedging, but including amortization of debt

 

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issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates (other than in connection with the early termination thereof); plus

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

(3) any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

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

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.

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

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

Government Securities” means obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof).

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

 

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Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture (and its successors and assigns) until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

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

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

(3) Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts.

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

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

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

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

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

(3) in respect of bankers’ acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

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

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person (including, with respect to any Production Payment, any warranties or guarantees of production or payment by such Person with respect to such Production Payment, but excluding other contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payment). Subject to the preceding sentence, neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.

 

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In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

(1) such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Joint Venture”);

(2) such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a “Joint Venture General Partner”); and

(3) there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

(a) the lesser of (i) the net assets of the Joint Venture General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

(b) if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Fixed Charges to the extent actually paid by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, “Indebtedness” of a Person shall not include:

(1) any indebtedness that has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens;

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

(3) any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness;

 

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(4) Indebtedness, the proceeds of which are funded into an escrow or other trust arrangement pending the satisfaction of one or more conditions, unless and until such proceeds are released to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) obligations in respect of surety and bonding requirements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(6) contingent obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice.

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

Indigo Combination” means, collectively, the contribution of all of the equity interests in Indigo Minerals LLC, Indigo Resources LLC and Indigo Haynesville LLC to the Company in exchange for equity interests in the Company and the consummation of other related transactions on the Original Issue Date.

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

Initial Notes” means the first $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BBVA Securities Inc., Comerica Securities, Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., BOK Financial Securities, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp.

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

Interest Payment Date” means February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing August 1, 2021.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities (excluding any interest in an oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law), together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the

 

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Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

Issue Date” means February 2, 2021, the date on which the Initial Notes were issued under this Indenture.

Legal Holiday” means Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or at the place of payment.

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

Midstream Assets” means (i) assets other than cash and Cash Equivalents used primarily for gathering, transmission, compression, storage, processing, marketing, fractionation, dehydration, stabilization or treatment of Hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or water, or assets other than cash and Cash Equivalents used to abate, capture, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions generated from a Midstream Business and (ii) Equity Interests of any Person whose assets consist, in all material respects, of assets referred to in clause (i).

Midstream Business” means the (i) gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, selling, transporting transmission, compression, fractionation, dehydration, stabilization or treatment of Hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or water, (ii) any business or activity related to the acquisition or transfer of carbon offset credits or any business or activity related to the abatement, capture or sequester of greenhouse gas emissions generated from gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, selling, transporting, transmission, compression, fractionation, dehydration, stabilization or treatment of Hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or water and (iii) any activity that is ancillary to or necessary or appropriate for the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this definition.

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

 

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Net Proceeds” means the aggregate amount of cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the later sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment or indemnification obligations in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

New Parent” means a corporation that, in connection with consummating an initial public offering of its Capital Stock, is or becomes the direct or indirect parent or managing member of the Company; provided that, prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Transactions, New Parent shall hold no material assets or property other than Equity Interests of the Company.

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions; and

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

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

Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, as provided in Article 10 hereof.

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

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

Offering Memorandum” means the Final Offering Memorandum of the Company, dated January 19, 2021, relating to the initial offering of the Notes.

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

 

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Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate that meets the requirements of Section 12.03 hereof and is signed on behalf of the Company by two of the Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company solely in the case of the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.03 hereof.

Oil and Gas Business” means (i) the acquisition, exploration, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other Hydrocarbon properties, (ii) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing (but not refining), storage, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties, (iii) any business relating to exploration for or development, production, treatment, processing (but not refining), storage, transportation or marketing of oil, gas and other minerals and products produced in association therewith, (iv) any business or activity related to the acquisition or transfer of carbon offset credits or any business or activity related to the abatement, capture or sequester of greenhouse gas emissions generated from drilling, completion, production, gathering, transportation, treating, processing, storage or transportation of Hydrocarbons and (v) any activity that is ancillary to or necessary or appropriate for the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this definition.

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

Oil and Gas Properties” means all properties, including equity or other ownership interest therein, owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which contain or are believed to contain Proved Reserves.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.03 hereof. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

Original Issue Date” means February 6, 2018.

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

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or investment (or other purchase of assets) or that is assumed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition or investment (or other purchase of assets) to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of any other Person existing at the time (a) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (in either case, whether or not such Indebtedness was incurred in contemplation of such merger or consolidation); provided that, either

 

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(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Company or such Person (if the Company is not the survivor in the transaction) would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof, or

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or such Person (if the Company is not the survivor in the transaction) is equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

Permitted Business Investments” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including (i) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbon properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems, or sand mines or facilities (ii) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, developments agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties, and (iii) direct or indirect ownership interests or Investments in drilling rigs, fracturing units, oilfield tools or services, or equipment or services used to offset, reduce, capture, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions, and other related equipment and services or in Persons that own or provide such equipment or services.

Permitted Investments” means:

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

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

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

 

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

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

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

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

(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8) loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9) repurchases of the Notes;

(10) (A) any Guarantee of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by Section 4.09 hereof other than a Guarantee of Indebtedness of an Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (B) the creation of Liens on the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 4.09; and (C) guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under Hydrocarbon exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business;

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

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

 

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(13) Permitted Business Investments or Permitted Midstream Investments;

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

(15) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business;

(16) such Investments consisting of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

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

(18) other Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $100.0 million and (b) 5.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (18) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (18) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on assets of the Company or any Guarantor securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit Facilities that were incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt or securing Hedging Obligations related thereto or securing Obligations with regard to Treasury Management Arrangements;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or that is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

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

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, insurance, surety or appeal bonds, workers’ compensation obligations, bid, plugging and abandonment and performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens to secure letters of credit issued to assure payment of such obligations);

(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(7) Liens existing, or provided for under binding contracts existing, on the Issue Date (other than Liens pursuant to any Credit Facilities);

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

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

(10) filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases;

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

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

(13) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds thereof) of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

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

 

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

(16) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided, that such Liens are limited to the property that is subject to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

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

(18) Liens to secure performance of Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes and Liens securing Treasury Management Obligations;

(19) Liens of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Indebtedness that does not exceed in aggregate principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (a) $55.0 million and (b) 3.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence;

(20) Liens on Capital Stock or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(21) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease, liens reserved in oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons, minerals, leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (b) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under leases or licenses entered into by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice; (c) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to (including, without limitation, ground leases or other prior leases of the demised premises, mortgages, mechanics’ liens, tax liens and easements); or (d) subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restrictions or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (c);

(22) any encumbrance, restriction or other Lien (including put, call arrangements, tag, drag, right of first refusal and similar rights) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture agreement or similar agreement;

 

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(23) Liens securing Guarantees of any Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be secured by a Lien under this Indenture;

(24) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business and incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties; and

(25) any Lien securing any modification, renewal, extension, refinancing, refunding or replacement of Indebtedness permitted to be secured by a Lien pursuant to by this definition other than clauses (1) and (19); provided that (a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection therewith and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such modification, renewal, extension, refinancing, refunding or replacement are encumbered thereby (other than improvements thereon, accessions thereto and proceeds thereof).

If any Liens securing obligations are incurred to refinance Liens securing obligations initially incurred in reliance on a basket measured by reference to a percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, and such refinancing would cause the percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will not be deemed to be exceeded to the extent the principal amount of such obligations secured by such newly incurred Lien does not exceed the principal amount of such obligations secured by such Liens being refinanced, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness plus the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” will be deemed to include interest and other obligations payable on and with respect to such Indebtedness.

Permitted Midstream Investments” means Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person (including in any Unrestricted Subsidiary) consisting of a capital contribution, or arising from the receipt of non-cash consideration from a transfer, to such Person of Midstream Assets; provided that:

(1) at the time of any such Investment and immediately thereafter, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(2) if such Person has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of any such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Person that is not Non- Recourse Debt could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

 

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(3) such Person is not engaged, in any material respect, in any business other than a Midstream Business.

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

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), or in the case of Disqualified Stock, the amount thereof determined in accordance with the definition of Disqualified Stock, of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness or the amount of the Disqualified Stock renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness or accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, that is (a) later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged or (b) more than 90 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;

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

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred (other than by way of a Guarantee) either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

Permitted Tax Distributions” means for any calendar year or portion thereof during which the Company is a pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes, payments and distributions to the members or partners of the Company (or payments on their behalf in connection with any composite tax return filing), on or prior to each estimated tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date, in an amount not to exceed the product of (i) the total aggregate taxable income of the Company and its subsidiaries that are pass-through entities (or estimates thereof) which is allocable to its members or partners as a result of the operations or activities of the Company and such subsidiaries during the relevant period (taking into account (x) any net

 

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losses of the Company from prior periods, to the extent not previously taken into account in the computation of Permitted Tax Distributions, (y) any amounts arising from Section 704(c) of the Code and any adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code and (z) any qualified business income deduction available at the member level under Section 199A of the Code as reasonably determined by the Company (taking into account any limitation thereto pursuant to Section 199A(b)(2) of the Code and assuming the taxable income of each member or partner exceeds the “threshold amount” under Section 199A(e)(2) of the Code)), multiplied by (ii) the highest combined marginal federal, state and local income tax rates (including any tax rate imposed on “net investment income” by Section 1411 of the Code) applicable to an individual or corporation (whichever is higher) residing in New York, New York, determined by taking into account the character of the income and loss allocable to the members or partners and the deductibility of state and local income taxes (subject to any applicable limitations on deductibility) as it affects the applicable tax rate; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, taxable income of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any period shall include any increases thereto as a result of any tax examination, audit or adjustment, whether for taxable periods ending prior to or after the Issue Date.

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

Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other similar Equity Interests (however designated) of such Person whether outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

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

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

Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Proved Reserves” means crude oil and natural gas reserves constituting “proved oil and gas reserves” as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act. For the avoidance of doubt, “proved oil and gas reserves” shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids.

 

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

Qualifying Owner” means each of (i) Yorktown Partners, L.L.C., Martin Family Minerals, LLC, Martin Sustainable Resources, L.L.C., Mr. Roy O. Martin III, Ridgemont Partners Management LLC, Trilantic Capital Management L.P., GSO Capital Partners LP, Banc of America Capital Investors V, L.P. and Beland Energy, LLC, (ii) any affiliated funds or investment vehicles managed by any Person described in clause (i) above, (iii) New Parent and (iv) any director, officer, general partner, managing member, principal or managing director of the Company or any Person described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above; provided that in no event will any portfolio company of any of the foregoing be included in the definition of “Qualifying Owner.”

Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or if both do not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which will be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Rating Event” means a decrease of one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, changes in ratings outlook) in the rating of the Notes by either of the Rating Agencies or a withdrawal of the rating of the Notes by either of the Rating Agencies on, or within 30 days following, the earlier of (x) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (y) the date of public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control, which period shall be extended for a period not longer than 30 days so long as the rating of the Notes relating to the Change of Control is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency; provided, however, that a downgrade of the Notes by the applicable Rating Agency shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a downgrade for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if such Rating Agency making the downgrade in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the Company or the Trustee in writing at the request of the Company that the downgrade is a result of the transactions constituting or occurring simultaneously with the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of such downgrade).

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

Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S; provided, that any such Regulation S Global Security shall be deemed to be a “temporary global security” for purposes of Rule 904 under Regulation S until the expiration of the Restricted Period.

Reorganization Transactions” means, in connection with the first bona fide underwritten public offering of Equity Interests of the Company or of New Parent, the consummation of, without limitation, any or all of (i) the legal formation of New Parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the Qualifying Owners to own interests therein, (ii) the conversion of the outstanding Equity Interest in the Company into a new class of Equity Interests in the Company, (iii) the contribution, directly

 

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or indirectly, by members in the Company of all or part of such Equity Interests in the Company and other Subsidiaries of the Company to New Parent, or other acquisition by New Parent thereof, in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests in New Parent, (iv) the issuance of Capital Stock of New Parent or the Company to the public and the use of proceeds therefrom to pay transaction expenses, distribute funds as a reimbursement for capital expenditures, and other purposes approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, (v) the execution, delivery and performance of customary documentation (and amendments to existing documentation) governing the relations between and among the Company, New Parent, the Qualifying Owners and their respective Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the execution, delivery and performance of a tax receivable agreement on customary terms for similar transactions and (vi) such other transactions incidental to the foregoing as the Board of Directors of Company shall determine, in its good faith judgment, to be necessary in order to effect the foregoing.

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers who at the time shall be such officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, is directly responsible for the administration of this Indenture.

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

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

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

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

Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Except where expressly stated otherwise, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries refer to Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. “Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. “Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act. “Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

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

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

 

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Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the first date it was incurred in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof; provided that, in the case of debt securities that are by their terms convertible into Capital Stock (or cash or a combination of cash and Capital Stock based on the value of the Capital Stock) of the Company, any obligation to offer to repurchase such debt securities on a date(s) specified in the original terms of such securities, which obligation is not subject to any condition or contingency, will be treated as a Stated Maturity date of such convertible debt securities.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of its Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

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

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

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

Treasury Management Obligations” means Obligations in connection with, or in respect of, Treasury Management Services.

Treasury Management Services” means (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including non-card e-payables services, (b) treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automatic clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), (c) foreign exchange, netting and currency management services and (d) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships or other Treasury Management Services, including under any Treasury Management Arrangements.

 

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Treasury Rate” means, in respect of any redemption date, the yield to maturity, as of the time of computation, of the most recently issued United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such time (or, if such statistical release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to February 1, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to February 1, 2024, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. The Company will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate no later than the second (and no earlier than the fourth) Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date (or, in the case of any redemption in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, on the Business Day preceding such event) and (b) prior to such redemption date, file with the Trustee a statement setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

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

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

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

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

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

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

 

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(4) has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except to the extent such Guarantee would be released upon such designation.

All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

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

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

Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person entitling the holders thereof to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person; provided that with respect to a limited partnership or other entity which does not have a Board of Directors, Voting Stock means the Capital Stock of the general partner of such limited partnership or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of such Person.

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

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

(2) the then outstanding aggregate amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

Affiliate Transaction

     4.11  

Alternate Offer

     4.15  

Asset Sale Offer

     4.10  

Authentication Order

     2.02  

Change of Control Offer

     4.15  

Change of Control Payment

     4.15  

Change of Control Payment Date

     4.15  

Covenant Defeasance

     8.03  

Covenant Suspension Event

     4.18  

DTC

     2.03  

Event of Default

     6.01  

Excess Proceeds

     4.10  

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section
 

incur

     4.09  

Initial Lien

     4.12  

Legal Defeasance

     8.02  

Offer Amount

     3.09  

Offer Period

     3.09  

Pari Passu Indebtedness

     3.09  

Paying Agent

     2.03  

Payment Default

     6.01  

Permitted Debt

     4.09  

Purchase Date

     3.09  

Registrar

     2.03  

Restricted Payments

     4.07  

Reversion Date

     4.18  

Suspended Covenants

     4.18  

Suspension Date

     4.18  

Suspension Period

     4.18  

Section 1.03 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(g) “including” shall be interpreted to mean “including, without limitation,” and the use of the word “including” followed by specific examples shall not be construed as limiting the meaning of the general wording preceding it;

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

(i) the TIA will have no application to this Indenture or any of the Notes, or the obligations, requirements or other undertakings hereunder or thereunder of any party hereto or thereto or to any provisions hereof or thereof.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

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

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

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

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

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

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

 

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The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. Such Authentication Order will specify (i) the principal amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of such Notes is to be authenticated, and (ii) in the case of an issuance of Additional Notes, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

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

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

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

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

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent (at its office indicated in the definition of Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in Section 1.01 hereof) and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.

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

 

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Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

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

(1) the Depositary (A) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or (B) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Company, at its option but subject to the Depositary’s requirements, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the Definitive Notes; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange such Global Note for Definitive Notes.

Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06, 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); however, subject to the foregoing, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (d) hereof.

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

 

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

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

(A) both:

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

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

(B) both:

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

 

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

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

Beneficial Interests in Global Notes may only be exchanged for Definitive Notes as provided in Section 2.06(a) hereof and upon compliance with the further requirements set forth below.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

Beneficial Interests in Global Notes may only be exchanged for Definitive Notes as provided in Section 2.06(a) hereof and upon compliance with the further requirements set forth below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

42


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

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

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

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

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

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

 

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

(4) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

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

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

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

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

 

44


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

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

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

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

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

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

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

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

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

(1) Private Placement Legend.

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

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A

 

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BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A “QIB”), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY, OR ANY OF ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF OR (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE TRUSTEE THE CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OF HOLD THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR ANY GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, CHURCH PLAN, OR NON-U.S. PLAN SUBJECT TO OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) (A) THE ACQUISITION, HOLDING AND SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST IN THIS NOTE) WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED

 

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TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS AND (B) IF THE HOLDER IS A PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, THE DECISION TO ACQUIRE THE NOTE HAS BEEN MADE BY A FIDUCIARY WHICH IS AN “INDEPENDENT FIDUCIARY WITHIN FINANCIAL EXPERTISE” AS DESCRIBED IN 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-21(c)(1). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

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

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

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

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

 

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

(h) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

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

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.04 hereof).

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

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

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

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

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

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

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

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

(8) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of optional redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes.

(9) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(10) The transferor of any Note shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. In connection with any proposed exchange of a certificated Note for a Global Note, the Company or the Depositary shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

 

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Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

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

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

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

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

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company) holds, by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on a redemption date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

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

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

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

 

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

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date (except that a special record date shall not be required with respect to payments made within an applicable grace period), in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will send or cause to be sent, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid. The Trustee will have no duty whatsoever to determine whether any defaulted interest is payable or the amount thereof.

Section 2.13 Computation of Interest.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Section 2.14 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP or ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) and if the Company does, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers in notices of redemption or exchange or in an Offer to Purchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange or in an offer to purchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or exchange or offer to purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the sending of a notice of redemption (unless a shorter period is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

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

(b) the redemption date;

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

(d) the redemption price (if then determined and otherwise the method of determination).

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form, by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection unless otherwise required by law) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part.

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

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

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or send electronically in accordance with the Applicable Procedures if DTC is the recipient, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

 

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The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP number, if applicable) and will state:

(a) the redemption date;

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

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

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

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

(f) that, unless the Company default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

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

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) any conditions precedent to the redemption.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days before the notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing) an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and attaching a form of the notice which shall sets forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Any notice of redemption made in connection with a related transaction or event (including an Equity Offering, contribution, Change of Control, Asset Sale or other transaction) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given prior to the completion or the occurrence thereof, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion or occurrence of the related transaction or event, as the case may be. The Company may redeem notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions of this Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to the redemptions made pursuant to different provisions hereof. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions will have different redemption dates. In addition, if such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s

 

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discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions are satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or that such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions are not satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, or that such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Company’s discretion if in the good faith judgment of the Company any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied. The Company will provide the Trustee with written notice of the delay of such date of redemption or the rescission of such notice of redemption no later than the close of business one Business Day prior to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become due and payable (subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to the redemption as provided in Section 3.03 hereof) on the redemption date at the redemption price.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption.

No later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed.

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

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

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

 

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Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including Additional Notes), upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, provided that:

(1) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes but excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (unless all Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently); and

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

(b) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to:

(1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus

(2) the Applicable Premium,

and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

(c) Except pursuant to Section 3.07(a), (b) or (e)hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to February 1, 2024.

(d) On or after February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.688

2025

     101.344

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

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

 

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

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

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

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

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in Section 4.10 with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem such Indebtedness with the proceeds of sales of assets (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”). The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

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

 

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Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, or send electronically in accordance with the Applicable Procedures if DTC is the recipient, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new

Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

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On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer and required to be purchased pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof, or if Notes in an aggregate principal amount less than the Offer Amount allocated to the purchase of Notes in the Asset Sale Offer have been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary for the Asset Sale Offer or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the United States of America (which office or agency, if Definitive Notes have been issued, shall be in the State of New York), an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee; provided that, no office of the Trustee shall be an office or agency of the Company for the purposes of service of legal process on the Company or any Guarantor.

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

 

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

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, or make available on the website referred to below:

(1) no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, (a) audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (with footnotes to such financial statements), including the audit report on such financial statements issued by the Company’s certified independent accountants, and (b) a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum;

(2) no later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three calendar quarters of each fiscal year, (a) unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (with condensed footnotes to such financial statements consistent with past practice), and (b) a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” consistent with the presentation thereof in the Offering Memorandum; and

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

 

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The Company will make available such information on its website, on Intralinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any comparable password-protected online data system that will require a confidentiality acknowledgment, and will make such information readily available to any Holder, any bona fide prospective investor in the Notes (which prospective investors will be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act that certify their status as such to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company), any bona fide securities analyst (to the extent providing analysis of investment in the Notes to investors and prospective investors therein) or any bona fide market maker in the Notes who agrees to treat such information as confidential or accesses such information on Intralinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any comparable password-protected online data system that will require a confidentiality acknowledgment; provided that the Company may deny access to any competitively-sensitive information otherwise to be provided pursuant to this paragraph to any such Holder, prospective investor, security analyst or market maker that is a competitor of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or an affiliate of such a competitor (other than any affiliate that is a bona fide bank debt fund, distressed asset fund, hedge fund, mutual fund, insurance company, financial institution or investment vehicle engaged in the business of investing in, acquiring or trading commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course (and not organized primarily for the purpose of making equity investments)) to the extent that the Company determines in good faith that the provision of such information to such Person would be competitively harmful to the Company and its Subsidiaries; and provided, further that such Holders, prospective investors, security analysts or market makers will agree to (1) treat all such reports (and the information contained therein) and information as confidential, (2) not use such reports and the information contained therein for any purpose other than their investment or potential investment in the Notes and (3) not publicly disclose or distribute any such reports (and the information contained therein).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the above requirements may be satisfied by the filing with the SEC for public availability by any parent company, the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-1, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K, containing the required information with respect to the Company or such parent, as applicable; provided that any such financial information of such parent contains information reasonably sufficient to identify the material differences, if any, between the financial information of such parent, on the one hand, and the Company and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, (a) the above information will not be required to contain the separate financial information for Guarantors as contemplated by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X or any financial statements of unconsolidated subsidiaries or 50% or less owned persons as contemplated by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X or any schedules required by Regulation S-X, or in each case any successor provisions and (b) such information shall not be required to comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures contained therein. At any time that any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the annual and quarterly financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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(c) Any and all Defaults or Events of Default arising from a failure to furnish in a timely manner any report required by this covenant shall be deemed cured (and the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 4.03) upon filing or posting such report as contemplated by this Section 4.03 (but without regard to the date on which such report is so filed or posted); provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Article 6 hereof if the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on the Notes have been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such acceleration has not been rescinded or cancelled prior to such cure.

(d) The Company (or any direct or indirect parent of the Company) will hold and participate in conference calls with the Holders of the Notes, beneficial owners of the Notes, and bona fide prospective investors to discuss the financial information required to be furnished pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) above no later than ten Business Days after distribution of such financial information, unless, in each case, the Company reasonably determines that to do so would conflict with applicable securities laws, including in connection with any pending offering of securities. The Company shall be permitted to combine this conference call with any other conference call for other debt or equity holders or lenders. The Company shall, no later than three Business Days prior to the date of the conference calls required to be held in accordance with this paragraph, announce the date and time of such conference calls and all information necessary to enable Holders of Notes to obtain access to such calls.

(e) In addition, to the extent not made available pursuant to this covenant or otherwise made publicly available, the Company shall furnish to Holders of Notes, prospective investors, broker-dealers and securities analysts, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Notes are not freely transferable under the Securities Act.

(f) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and its receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s, any Guarantor’s or any other person’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

(g) The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s, any Guarantor’s or any other person’s compliance with the covenants described herein, to determine whether any reports, information or other documents are made available on a website or online data system or filed with the SEC (via EDGAR or otherwise), or to participate in any conference calls.

(h) During registration with respect to the initial public offering of the Company or New Parent, the Company or other Person that may provide the information required by this covenant will not be required to disclose any information or take any actions that, in the view of the Company, would violate the applicable securities laws or the SEC’s “gun jumping” rules or otherwise have an adverse effect on such initial public offering.

 

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Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after any Officer of the Company becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, a written statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

Each of the Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

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

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

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

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

 

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

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) other than any payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition for value of such subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of payment, acquisition or retirement, or a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) of this Section 4.07(a) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

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

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

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

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Original Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (18) of Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning April 1, 2018 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

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(ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of property or securities other than cash (including the Fair Market Value of any Indebtedness contributed to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries for cancellation and Capital Stock of Persons, other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, engaged primarily in the Oil and Gas Business or assets used in the Oil and Gas Business), in each case received by the Company since the Original Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or, in each case not involving cash consideration payable by the Company in connection with any such transaction, that becomes a part of the capital of the Company through consolidation, merger or amalgamation following the Original Issue Date (other than (w) property or securities received by the Company in connection with the Indigo Combination, (x) Disqualified Stock, (y) net cash proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Equity Interests to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) and (z) Excluded Contributions); plus

(iii) to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income for such period, if any Restricted Investment that was made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date is sold for cash (other than to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) or otherwise cancelled, liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment resulting from such sale, liquidation or repayment (less any out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with any such sale); plus

(iv) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Original Issue Date of any such Indebtedness for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property (other than such Equity Interests), distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange and excluding the net cash proceeds from the conversion or exchange financed, directly or indirectly, using funds borrowed from the Company or any Subsidiary), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; plus

(v) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Original Issue Date is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or otherwise disposes of all of substantially all of its properties or assets to or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Original Issue Date, the lesser

 

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of, as of the date of such redesignation, merger, consolidation, transfer, disposition or liquidation, (A) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary (or of the properties or assets disposed of, as applicable) as of the date of such redesignation, merger, consolidation, transfer, disposition or liquidation and (B) such Fair Market Value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Original Issue Date; plus

(vi) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of property or securities other than cash received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a Joint Venture or any dividends or distributions received in cash by the Company or a Guarantor after the Original Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or a Joint Venture, to the extent that such dividends or distributions were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

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

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

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company, with a sale or contribution being deemed to be substantially concurrent if the applicable Restricted Payment occurs within 120 days thereof; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will not be considered to be net proceeds of Equity Interests for purposes of Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof and will not be considered to be net cash proceeds from an Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07 hereof;

(3) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis or a basis more favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(4) (i) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee with in exchange for, or the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, and (ii) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Disqualified Stock of the Company or of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, in each case in exchange for, or with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

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

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

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

(6) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee (or permitted transferees thereof) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement, compensation agreement or arrangement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $10.0 million in any twelve-month period (which shall increase to $20.0 million following the first bona fide underwritten public offering of the common Equity Interests of the Company or its direct or indirect parent company) (with unused amounts in any twelve-month period being carried over to succeeding twelve-month periods) and in addition, cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company from any current or former officer, director or employee (or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof), not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate, in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company from such Persons will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provisions of this Indenture;

(7) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon net share settlements in connection with the exercise or vesting of stock or other equity options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock or other equity options and any repurchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests (including, without limitation, in connection with net share settlements) made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise, vesting or exchange of stock options, warrants, incentives or other rights to acquire Equity Interests;

 

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(8) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Original Issue Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

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

(10) the payment of dividends or distributions on Equity Interests of the Company (or the payment of dividends to the Company’s parent company to fund a payment of dividends on such parent’s common equity) following the first bona fide underwritten public offering of Equity Interests of the Company or the common equity of the Company’s parent company after the Original Issue Date in an amount up to 6.0% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company in or from any such public offering;

(11) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11), not to exceed (as of the date any such Restricted Payment is made) the greater of (i) $55.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of any such Restricted Payment;

(12) without duplication of any amounts that are paid under clause (14)(g) for the relevant period, Permitted Tax Distributions;

(13) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of Excluded Contributions received since the Original Issue Date;

(14) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to, or the making of loans or advances to, New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company in amounts required for New Parent or such other entity, as applicable, to pay, in each case without duplication,

(a) real and personal property taxes, and franchise, excise and similar taxes, and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate or other legal existence;

(b) salary, bonus, severance, expense reimbursement and other benefits or fees payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, employees, directors, officers, members of management, consultants and independent contractors of New Parent or such other entity and any payroll, social security or similar taxes payable in respect thereof;

 

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(c) general corporate or other operating, administrative, compliance and overhead costs and expenses (including expenses relating to auditing and other accounting matters, legal, reserve engineering or geological) of New Parent or such other entity;

(d) reasonable (as determined in good faith by the Company) fees and expenses (other than fees and expenses paid to Affiliates of the Company) related to any equity or debt offering of New Parent or such other entity (whether or not successful); provided that all or substantially all of the proceeds of such offering are or are intended to be permanently contributed to the capital of the Company;

(e) payments of interest and/or principal on Indebtedness, the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise, considered Indebtedness of, the Company incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 to the extent such payments are not otherwise prohibited hereunder;

(f) interest or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in accordance with Section 4.09; and

(g) for any taxable period (or portion thereof) for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal or applicable foreign, state or local income tax purposes of which the direct or indirect parent company of the Company is the common parent (a “Tax Group”) or for which the Company is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal or applicable foreign, state or local income tax purposes in any applicable taxing jurisdiction that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by an entity that is taxable as a corporation for such income tax purposes, to pay the portion of any U.S. federal, foreign, state or local income taxes (as applicable) of such Tax Group or such parent company for such taxable period that is attributable to the net taxable income of the Company and/or the applicable Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the extent permitted below, the applicable Unrestricted Subsidiaries); provided that for each taxable period, (x) the amount of such payments made in respect of such taxable period in the aggregate will not exceed the amount that the Company and the applicable Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the extent permitted below, the applicable Unrestricted Subsidiaries), as applicable, would have been required to pay in respect of such net taxable income as stand-alone taxpayers or a stand-alone Tax Group and (y) the amount of such payments made in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be permitted only to the extent that cash distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for such purpose;

 

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(15) cash payments, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions to New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company to make payments, in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with share dividends, share splits, reverse share splits, mergers, consolidations, amalgamations or other business combinations and in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company;

(16) payments and distributions to dissenting stockholders of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, reorganization, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that complies with the terms of this Indenture; and

(17) any transactions with or among the Company, New Parent, their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and the Qualifying Owners in connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the related initial public offering, the transactions relating thereto, and the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that any Restricted Payment or Investment (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in Section 4.07(a) or preceding clauses (1) through (17) of this Section 4.07(b) and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the Company will, in its sole discretion, be entitled to divide or classify (or later divide, classify or reclassify), in whole or in part, such Restricted Payment or Investment (or any portion thereof) among Section 4.07(a) and/or such clauses (1) through (17) and/or one or more clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments” in a manner that otherwise complies with this Section 4.07.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment (or, in the case of a dividend or distribution, on the date of declaration) or, at the Company’s election, the date a commitment is made to make such Restricted Payment, of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined, in the case of amounts under $40.0 million, by an officer of the Company and, in the case of amounts of $40.0 million or more, by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the priority that any series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions before dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions are paid in respect of common stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall not constitute a restriction on the ability to make dividends or distributions on Capital Stock for purposes of this Section 4.08;

 

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(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that dividend or liquidation priority between or among classes or series of Capital Stock, and the subordination of any obligation (including the application of any remedy bars thereto) to any other obligation will not be deemed to constitute such an encumbrance or restriction.

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

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

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

(3) agreements governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 hereof and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the encumbrances or restrictions contained therein are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of an officer of the Company, either (a) not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees or the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or (b) not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to make required payments on the Notes;

(4) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(5) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the

 

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Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided, that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of an officer of the Company, no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those in effect on the date of the acquisition; provided further, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(6) customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or in licenses, easements or leases, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

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

(8) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

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

(10) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

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

(12) encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary;

(13) encumbrances or restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or lessors under contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(14) customary encumbrances and restrictions contained in agreements of the types described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investments;”

(15) agreements governing Hedging Obligations;

 

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(16) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(17) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses, Equity Interests or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements;

(18) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that are subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;

(19) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(20) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement; and

(21) restrictions arising in connection with cash or other deposits permitted under Section 4.12.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

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

 

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(b) Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or issuances of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and the Guarantors thereunder) not to exceed the greatest of (i) $700.0 million, (ii) the Borrowing Base in effect under the Credit Agreement at the time of incurrence, and (iii) 32.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence;

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

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

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (i) $55.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence;

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Disqualified Stock of the Company, in each case that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clause (2), (3), (4), (5) or (14) of this Section 4.09(b);

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

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

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

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

 

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(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business;

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

(14) any Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(15) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness or the issuance by the Company of any Disqualified Stock in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock issued pursuant to this clause (15), not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence or issuance;

(16) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice from customers for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(17) the incurrence of (a) Indebtedness owed to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) Indebtedness in respect of Treasury Management Services, including Treasury Management Obligations;

(18) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary undertaken in connection with Treasury Management (including netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and related or similar services or activities) with respect to the Company, any Subsidiaries or any joint venture in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice, including with respect to financial accommodations of the type described in the definition of Treasury Management Services;

(19) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy and discharge the Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

(20) Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations required by requirements of law or by governmental authorities in connection with the operation of Oil and Gas Properties in the ordinary course of business; and

 

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(21) (a) guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice in respect of obligations to suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees, sub-licensees, and distribution partners and guarantees required by governmental authorities in the ordinary course of business; and (b) the incurrence of any guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture.

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

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (21) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to divide, classify and reclassify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later redivide or reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09; provided that (i) Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the Issue Date will be deemed to have been initially incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt and (ii) (if the Company shall so determine) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (15) of Section 4.09(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of such clause but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after any date designated by the

Company on which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) without reliance on such clause. The accrual of interest or Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock dividends or distributions, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends or distributions on Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares or units of the same class of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued to the extent required by the definition of such term.

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

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

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

 

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

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

(2) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness, liquidation preference of Disqualified Stock or amount of Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency will be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was incurred or issued (or, in the case of revolving credit debt, the date such Indebtedness was first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent)); provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock does not exceed (1) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock or the amount of such Preferred Stock, as applicable, being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased, plus (2) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased, plus (3) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock.

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, if incurred or issued in a different currency from the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, being refinanced, will be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing. The principal amount of any non-interest bearing Indebtedness or other discount security constituting Indebtedness at any date will be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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If any Indebtedness is incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, in reliance on a basket measured by reference to a percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, and any refinancing thereof would cause the percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will not be deemed to be exceeded to the extent the principal amount of such newly incurred Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such newly issued Disqualified Stock or the amount of such newly issued Preferred Stock does not exceed the sum of (i) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, the liquidation preference of such Disqualified Stock or the amount of such Preferred Stock being refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness, any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock and any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock being so refinanced, extended, replaced, refunded, renewed or defeased plus (iii) the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and any defeasance costs and any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of such refinanced Indebtedness, Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

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

(a) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, in connection with such Asset Sale) at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(b) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and all other Asset Sales since the Original Issue Date (on a cumulative basis) is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this clause (b), each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(1) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the Notes thereto or, if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s consolidated balance sheet or in the Notes thereto if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by the Company) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are cancelled or terminated or are assumed or otherwise forgiven by the transferee of any such assets (or a third party in connection with such transfer) pursuant to a novation, indemnity or other agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from or indemnifies the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary against further liability;

 

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(2) with respect to any Asset Sale of oil and natural gas properties by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries where the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary retains an interest in such property, the aggregate costs and expenses of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such properties and activities related thereto that the transferee (or an Affiliate therefor) agrees to pay;

(3) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 180 days of the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

(4) any Capital Stock or assets of the kind referred to in clause (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(c) hereof; and

(5) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (5), not to exceed an amount equal to 5.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined at the time of receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration), with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured, at the Company’s option, either at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale or at the time received and, in either case, without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

(c) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (as may be extended pursuant to the immediately succeeding paragraph below), the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries may apply an amount equal to the amount of such Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:

(1) to repay, repurchase or redeem any senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, in each case owing to a Person other than the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or New Parent;

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

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

(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business (including, without limitation, Oil and Gas Properties and Midstream Assets).

 

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The requirement of clause (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(c) hereof shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding commitment to make the acquisition referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such commitment within 180 days following the date such commitment is entered into.

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

The Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(c) hereof will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, within ten Business Days thereof, the Company will make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness, with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase, prepay or redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount (or accreted values thereof, if less) of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount (or accreted values thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such other price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to, but excluding, the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, and will be payable in cash in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, the agreement or instrument governing the terms thereof). If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and/or Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocated to the purchase of Notes, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any Notes represented by a note in global form will be selected by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection unless otherwise required by law), based on the amounts tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); provided that as between the Notes and any Pari Passu Indebtedness, such purchases will be made on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero (regardless of whether there are any remaining Excess Proceeds upon such completion) and the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture. An Asset Sale Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Asset Sale Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents). The Company may satisfy the foregoing obligation with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an offer to purchase Notes with respect to the amount of all or part of the available Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the application period referred to above with respect to the amount of all or a part of the available Net Proceeds in advance of being required to do so by this Indenture and all references in this Indenture to the Asset Sale Offer and procedures with respect thereto shall apply equally to such advance portion of such advance offer.

 

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

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

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

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this Section 4.11; and

(B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company, if any.

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

 

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(1) any employment or consulting agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification, compensation or severance agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2) transactions between or among the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

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

(5) any sale, issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;

(6) Restricted Payments that do not violate the provisions of Section 4.07 hereof and any Permitted Investment;

(7) transactions effected in accordance with the terms of the agreements described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” as such agreements are in effect on the Issue Date, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the agreement so amended or replaced;

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

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

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

 

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(11) in the case of contracts for exploring for, producing, marketing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, or other operational contracts, any such contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party, in either case in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management thereof;

(12) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary), or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are, in the aggregate (taking into account all the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), not materially less favorable to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person, as determined in good faith by the Company, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(13) the Reorganization Transactions;

(14) any transaction in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of Section 4.11(a)(1) hereof;

(15) (A) investments by Affiliates in securities or Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Affiliates in connection therewith) so long as the investment is being offered by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary generally to other unaffiliated investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) payments to Affiliates in respect of securities or Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary contemplated in the foregoing subclause (A) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities or Indebtedness;

(16) (A) payments by the Company (and New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to, and the entry into, tax sharing agreements among the Company (and New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments by the Company and its Subsidiaries are permitted under clause (12) or (14) of Section 4.07(b) and (B) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

(17) any lease (other than any lease of Oil and Gas Properties) entered into between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Company, as lessor, and transactions pursuant to that lease which lease is approved by the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company in good faith;

 

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(18) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(19) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to registration rights and indemnities provided to equity holders of the Company or New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company pursuant to any equity holders agreement or registration rights agreement entered into on or after the Issue Date; and

(20) (A) pledges and other transfers of Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (B) any transactions with an Affiliate in which the consideration paid consists solely of Equity Interests of the Company or New Parent or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company.

Section 4.12 Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or assume any Lien (an “Initial Lien”) of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, unless the Notes or any Note Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the Indebtedness so secured until such time as such Indebtedness is no longer secured by the Initial Lien.

Any Lien created for the benefit of Holders of Notes pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

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

Section 4.14 Organizational Existence.

Subject to Article 5 and Section 10.04 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

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

 

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(b) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the senior management of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right, except as provided in this Section 4.15, to require the Company to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Purchase Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will send a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

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

(2) the purchase price and the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. While the Notes are in global form and the Company makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, a holder may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes through the facilities of DTC, subject to its rules and regulations;

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

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

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

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

 

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

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) Promptly following the expiration of the Change of Control Offer, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. Promptly after such acceptance, the Company will, on the Change of Control Purchase Date:

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

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

The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any. The Company will announce to the Holders of Notes the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, (2) notice of redemption of all outstanding Notes has been previously or is concurrently electronically delivered or mailed pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price, or (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control, the Company has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer is made. The closing date of any such Change of Control Offer made in advance of a Change of Control may be changed to conform to the actual closing date of the Change of Control; provided that such closing date is not earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date the Change of Control Offer notice is sent pursuant to Section 4.15(a) hereof, subject to extension in the event of a conditional Chance of Control Offer. A Change of Control Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of the Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Change of Control Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents).

Section 4.16 Additional Note Guarantees.

If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the Issue Date that Guarantees or otherwise becomes an obligor in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor under any Credit Facility, then, in either case, that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto and delivering an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within 30 days after the date that Subsidiary incurred or Guaranteed such Indebtedness.

Section 4.17 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be either (1) an Investment made as of the time of the designation that will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or (2) a Permitted Investment under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture, and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date. If such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

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Section 4.18 Covenant Suspension.

If on any date following the Issue Date: (a) the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s or BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency); and (b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of such events, a “Covenant Suspension Event”), then, beginning on that date (the “Suspension Date”) and, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.18, Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.16 (but only with respect to any Person that is required to become a Guarantor after the date of the commencement of the applicable Suspension Period), 4.17 and Section 5.01(a)(4) of this Indenture will be suspended (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).

During any period that the foregoing Sections have been suspended (the “Suspension Period”), the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof or the second paragraph of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Additionally, upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Net Proceeds will be reset to zero for purposes of Section 4.10. During the Suspension Period, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be entitled to incur Liens to the extent provided for under Section 4.12 (including, without limitation, Permitted Liens), and any Permitted Liens which may refer to one or more Suspended Covenants shall be interpreted as though such applicable Suspended Covenant(s) continued to be applicable during the Suspension Period (but solely for purposes of the Section 4.12 and the “Permitted Liens” definition and for no other covenant).

In the event a Reversion Date (as defined below) occurs, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or events occurring prior to the Reversion Date with respect to any of the Suspended Covenants will give rise to a Default or Event of Default, subject to the succeeding two paragraphs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the ratings assigned to the Notes by both such ratings agencies should subsequently decline to below Baa3 or BBB- from Moody’s or S&P, respectively, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from such date (the “Reversion Date”). Calculations under the Section 4.07 hereof will be made as if Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect since the Original Issue Date except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended. Furthermore, (1) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(2) hereof; (2) all Liens permitted to be created, incurred or assumed during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as permitted under clause (7) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and (3) all Investments made during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that they are classified as Permitted Investments permitted under clause (11) of the definition of “Permitted Investments.”

 

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In addition, for purposes of Section 4.11 hereof, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Company during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been entered into prior to the Issue Date and permitted by Section 4.11(b)(7) hereof, and for purposes of Section 4.08 hereof, all contracts entered into during the Suspension Period that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by such covenant will be deemed to have been existing on the Issue Date.

The Company shall promptly upon its occurrence deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate notifying the Trustee of the event giving rise to any Suspension Date, Suspension Period or Reversion Date, the date thereof and identifying the Suspended Covenants. The Trustee shall not have any obligation to monitor the ratings of the Notes, the occurrence or dates of any Suspension Date, Suspension Period or Reversion Date and may rely conclusively on such Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not have any obligation to notify the Holders of the occurrence or dates of any Suspension Date, Suspension Period, Suspended Covenants or Reversion Date, but may provide a copy of such Officers’ Certificate to any Holder of the Notes upon request.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

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

(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; and, if such entity is not a corporation or a limited liability company, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation or a limited liability company organized or existing under any such laws;

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

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

 

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

(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.01 will not apply to (i) any statutory conversion of the Company to a corporation or another form of entity, (ii) any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of properties or assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) the Reorganization Transactions. Clauses (3) and (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof will not apply to (1) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that merges or consolidates with the Company for any purpose; provided that the Company is the survivor of such merger or consolidation, or (2) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.

Section 5.02 Successor Company Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof in which the Company is not the surviving entity, the surviving Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such surviving Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties or assets), the Company will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

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

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

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

(c) failure by the Company to comply the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 hereof;

 

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(d) failure by the Company for 180 days after notice from the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with Section 4.03 hereof;

(e) failure by the Company or any Guarantor for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in this Indenture;

(f) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

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

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

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; provided, however, that if, prior to any acceleration of the Notes, (i) any such Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such acceleration is rescinded, or (iii) such Indebtedness is repaid during the 10 Business Day period commencing upon the end of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, any Default or Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the Notes) caused by such Payment Default or acceleration shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment, decree or applicable law;

(g) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(h) the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case,

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

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

 

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

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

(1) is for relief against the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

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

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

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

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

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, rescind an acceleration and its consequences hereunder, if, among other things, (1) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

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Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.02(g) hereof, the Trustee must send to each Holder notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The Trustee, however, may withhold from Holders of Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on or interest on the Notes.

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

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes when due; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration, as provided in Section 6.02. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such direction is unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

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Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

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

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

(b) Holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

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

(d) the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer, or provision if requested, of security or indemnity; and

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

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains preference or priority over such other Holders).

Section 6.07 Collection Suit by Trustee.

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

Section 6.08 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and

 

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other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.09 Priorities.

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

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

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

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

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 6.09.

Section 6.10 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.10 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

 

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

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

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of a Default or an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood or such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(k) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

(l) No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Trustee to take or omit to take any action, in the performance of its duties or obligations under this Indenture, or to exercise any right or power thereunder, to the extent that taking or omitting to take such action would violate applicable law binding upon it.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the name of the individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specific actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such Officers’ Certificate previously delivered and not superseded, and may be updated and delivered to the Trustee at any time by the Company in its discretion.

 

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(n) Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

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

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.02(g), the Trustee will send to Holders of the Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 [Reserved.]

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

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

 

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(b) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee (in its individual capacities and trustee capacities), its agents, representatives, officers, directors, employees and attorneys harmless against any and all losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including taxes (other than taxes based upon, or measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred or suffered by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture or in connection with the enforcement of any rights hereunder, or arising out of or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights or powers hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

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

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

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

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

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

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee upon 30 days’ prior notice to the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

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

 

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

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

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

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

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

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

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

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

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

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

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

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

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

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

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

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

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Section 2.07, Section 2.09 and Section 4.02 hereof;

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

(d) this Article 8.

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

 

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Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their respective obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, and 4.17 hereof and clause (3) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) (other than with respect to the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest consolidated financial statements of the Company made available to the Holders)), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law and (j) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, (i) cash in U.S. dollars, or (ii) non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the case of this clause (ii), without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the opinion (solely in the case of amounts including in whole or in part non-callable Government Securities) of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date (provided that if such redemption is made as provided in Section 3.07(b) hereof, (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited

 

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additional money (a “Shortfall”) in trust on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined on such date) (it being understood that any Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such Shortfall is in fact paid); provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability whatsoever in the event that such Shortfall is not in fact paid after any Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Any Shortfall will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Shortfall that confirms that such Shortfall will be applied toward such redemption;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(1) the Company received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(f) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

 

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(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, has become due and payable shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat, or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company ) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no

 

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deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to provide for the assumption of an Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s properties or assets, as applicable;

(d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder, including to comply with requirements of the SEC or DTC in order to maintain the transferability of the Notes pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S;

(e) at the Company’s election, to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if applicable;

(f) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate;

(g) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the Issue Date;

(h) to secure the Notes or the Note Guarantees, including pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.12 hereof;

(i) to add any additional Guarantor or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee, in each case as provided in this Indenture;

(j) add covenants of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Events of Default for the benefit of Holders or to make changes that would provide additional rights to the Holders under this Indenture of any Holder or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor; or

 

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(k) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee.

Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in next two succeeding paragraphs of this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Section 6.04 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (except provisions relating to minimum required notice of optional redemption or provisions under Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note;

 

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(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or amend the contractual rights of Holders of Notes expressly set forth in this Indenture to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, on, the Notes (other than as permitted by clause (g) below);

(g) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(h) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(i) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement or waiver provisions.

For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to, or deletion of any of the covenants described under Articles 4 and 5 hereof or action taken in compliance with the covenants in effect at the time of such action, shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of any Holder of Notes to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes or to institute suit for the enforcement of payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes.

Upon the request of the Company to the Trustee, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of the Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of the Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will send to the Holders of the Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.03 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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Section 9.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.02 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so Guaranteed or any performance so Guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a Guarantee of payment and not a Guarantee of collection.

 

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(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations Guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations Guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations Guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on the notation of its Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such notation of its Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, a Guarantor may not: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Guarantor in one or more related transactions, to another Person, other than the Company or a Guarantor, unless:

(a) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no continuing Default or Event of Default exists;

(b) either:

(1) subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(2) the transaction or series of transactions is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof; or

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

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In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee of the Guarantor and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the notations of Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (b)(1) and (2) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or other disposition of the properties or assets of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 10.05 Releases.

The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will automatically be released:

(a) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor by way of merger, consolidation, dividend, amalgamation, distribution or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof;

(b) in connection with any sale, exchange, issuance, transfer or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof and such Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the sale or other disposition;

(c) upon designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions this Indenture;

(d) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor in a transaction or series of transactions that does not violate the terms of this Indenture;

(e) upon the release or discharge of such Guarantor’s Guarantee of, or direct obligation of such Guarantor of, Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantor under a Credit Facility (other than the Notes);

(f) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof; or

(g) as described in Article IX.

 

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The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that prior to executing such documents, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Company an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel compliant with Section 12.02 to the effect that the conditions precedent to such release have been satisfied. Any failure by the Trustee to execute such documents shall, however, not affect the automatic release and discharge of the Note Guarantee and the other obligations of any Guarantor as contemplated by the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.04. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be satisfied and discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes and as otherwise specified in this Article 11), when:

(a) either:

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders; (i) cash in U.S. dollars, or (ii) non-callable Government Securities or a combination of cash and Government Securities in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the case of this clause (ii), in the opinion (solely in the case of amounts including in whole or in part non-callable Government Securities) of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants delivered to the Trustee, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, the Notes to, but excluding, the date of Stated Maturity or redemption (provided that if such redemption is made as provided in Section 3.07(b) hereunder (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited the Shortfall in trust on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined by such date) (it being understood that any satisfaction and discharge shall be subject to the condition

 

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subsequent that such Shortfall is in fact paid); provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no liability whatsoever in the event that such Shortfall is not in fact paid after any satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Any Shortfall will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Shortfall that confirms that such Shortfall will be applied toward such redemption;

(b) in respect of clause (a)(2), no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

(c) the Company has or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by the Company and the Guarantors under this Indenture; and

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 11.01 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to any of the Company and the Guarantors:

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

600 Travis Street,

Suite 5500

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile No.: (713) 237-5040

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

CTSO Mail Operations

Attn: Patrick Giordano

MAC: N9300-070

600 South 4th Street, 7th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by electronic image scan or facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

 

116


Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, except that all notices and communications to the Depositary as a Holder shall be given in the manner it prescribes, notwithstanding anything to the contrary indication herein. Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is given in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company sends a notice or communication to Holders, it will send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.02 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.03 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.03 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.03 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:

(a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

117


Section 12.04 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.05 No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees and Members.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member or stockholder or other owner of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

Section 12.06 Governing Law.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

Section 12.07 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.08 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.09 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 12.10 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

118


Section 12.11 Counterpart Originals; Electronic Signature.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture, and each party hereto may sign any number of separate copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

This Indenture and any certificate, agreement or other document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature; (ii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature; or (iii) in the case of this Indenture and any certificate, agreement or other document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any Notes, any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”). Each electronic signature (except in the case of any Notes) or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature (except in the case of any Notes), of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings

Section 12.12 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.13 Payment Date Other Than a Business Day.

If any payment with respect to any principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest or, if any, on, any Note (including any payment to be made on any date fixed for redemption or purchase of any Note) is due on a day which is a Legal Holiday, then the payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.

 

119


Section 12.14 Evidence of Action by Holders.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustee, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Notes evidenced by a Global Note, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 12.15 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify and record information that identities each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Section 12.16 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, (i) any act or provision of present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, (ii) labor disputes, strikes or work stoppages, (iii) accidents, (iv) acts of war or terrorism, (v) civil or military disturbances or unrest, (vi) nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, (vii) epidemics or pandemics, (viii) disease, (ix) quarantine, (x) national emergency, (xi)interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (xii) communications system failure, (xiii) malware or ransomware, (xiv) the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire, telex or other communication or wire facility, or (xv) unavailability of any securities clearing system; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

[Signatures on following page]

 

120


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name:   William E. Pritchard III
  Title:   Executive Chairman
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Patrick Giordano

  Name:   Patrick Giordano
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature page to Indenture]


INDIGO MINERALS LLC
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name:   William E. Pritchard III
  Title:   Executive Chairman
INDIGO HAYNESVILLE AGENT CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name:   William E. Pritchard III
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature page to Indenture]


[Face of Note]

 

CUSIP            

ISIN                

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

 

No. ___    $                        

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC

promises to pay                  to or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                  DOLLARS [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note] on February 1, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1

Record Dates: January 15 and July 15

Dated:                  ,        

 

A-1


INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
By:  

 

  Name:   William E. Pritchard III
  Title:   Executive Chairman

[Rule 144 Note (A-1)]


Certificate of Authentication:
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee
By:  

 

Authorized Signatory
Dated:                            , 2021

[Rule 144 Note (A-1)]


[BACK OF NOTE]

5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 5.375% per annum from [February 2, 2021]1. The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, or if any such day is a Legal Holiday, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”); provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be August 1, 2021. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any payment with respect to any principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on any Note (including any payment to be made on any date fixed for redemption or purchase of any Note) is due on a day which is a Legal Holiday, then the payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 15 and July 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose described in the Indenture, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of at least $5 million principal amount of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to an account in the continental United States to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 30 days prior to the applicable payment date. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

 

1 

Issue Date for initial notes.

 

A-2


(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(4) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 2, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling to the extent permitted by law. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes), upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, provided that:

(A) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes but excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently); and

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

(b) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(c) Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs and paragraph (e) below, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to February 1, 2024.

(d) On or after February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelvemonth period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

A-3


Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.688

2025

     101.344

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

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

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

(6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will send a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

 

A-4


(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, the Company may be required as set forth in the Indenture to apply Excess Proceeds to make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Pari Passu Indebtedness. Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or send electronically if DTC is the recipient, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of minimum denominations of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding

Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, then the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare

 

A-5


the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase any Notes).

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, member, incorporator or stockholder or other owner of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(18) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

A-6


Indigo Natural Resources LLC

600 Travis Street,

Suite 5500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Robert W. Hunt, Jr.

Email: [email protected]

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint   

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                        

 

Your Signature:                                                                                              
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                            

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-8


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

☐ Section 4.10                 ☐ Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                                 

Date:                             

 

Your Signature:                                                                                              
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:                                                                                 

Signature Guarantee*:                                             

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of
this Global Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of
this Global Note
   Principal
Amount
of this Global
Note following
such decrease
(or increase)
   Signature of
authorized
officer of
Trustee
or Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

600 Travis Street,

Suite 5500

Houston, Texas 77002

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust – DAPS REORG

600 Fourth Street South, 7th Floor

MAC N9300-070

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1526

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: [email protected]

Re: 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                             , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                                  (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-1


2. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)

☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

OR

 

(b)

☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

OR

(c) ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a) ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the

 

B-2


transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                                     

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (A) OR (B)]

 

  (a)

☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP ), or

 

(ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ); or

(a) ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

(a) ☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP ), or

 

(ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP ), or

 

(iii)

☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP ); or

(b) ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

(c) ☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

600 Travis Street,

Suite 5500

Houston, Texas 77002

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust – DAPS REORG

600 Fourth Street South, 7th Floor

MAC N9300-070

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1526

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: [email protected]

Re: 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

(CUSIP [         ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                                 , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-2


(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note, ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                         

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of , among (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of February 2, 2021 providing for the issuance of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder or other owner of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

D-1


5. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:                                 ,

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

 

D-3

EX-4.35

Exhibit 4.35

 

 

 

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC

EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of August 26, 2021

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
Article I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1

  First Supplemental Indenture      2  

Section 1.2

  Definitions      2  
Article II

 

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 2.1

  Certain Amendments to the Indenture      2  
Article III

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1

  Relation to Original Indenture      3  

Section 3.2

  Governing Law      3  

Section 3.3

  Concerning the Trustee      3  

Section 3.4

  Successors      3  

Section 3.5

  Severability      3  

Section 3.6

  Duplicate of Originals      3  

 

 

i


Exhibit 4.35

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “First Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of August 26, 2021, among Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee have executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”) pursuant to which the Company issued 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”).

Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement certain provisions of the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes).

Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (“Southwestern”), has offered to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) new 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by Southwestern for any and all outstanding Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement dated August 2, 2021 (the “Offering Memorandum”).

In connection with the Exchange Offer, Southwestern has also solicited consents from the Holders of the Notes to certain proposed amendments (the “Proposed Amendments”) to the Indenture as described in the Offering Memorandum and set forth in this First Supplemental Indenture, with the operation of such Proposed Amendments being subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Southwestern of the conditions to the Exchange Offer and the acceptance by Southwestern for exchange of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Southwestern has received and caused to be delivered to the Trustee evidence of the consents from Holders of a majority of aggregate principal amount of the Notes to effect the Proposed Amendments.

The Company is undertaking to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture to delete, amend or supplement, as applicable, certain provisions and covenants in the Indenture with respect to the Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer and the related consent solicitation and in connection therewith, each of the Company and the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 First Supplemental Indenture. This First Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to, and is entered into in accordance with Section 9.02 of the Indenture, and except as expressly modified, amended and supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Indenture are in all respects ratified and confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 1.2 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this First Supplemental Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENTS

Section 2.1 Certain Amendments to the Indenture. The Indenture is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Section 4.03 (Reports); Section 4.07 (Restricted Payments); Section 4.08 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries); Section 4.09 (Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock); Section 4.10 (Asset Sales); Section 4.11 (Transactions with Affiliates); Section 4.12 (Liens); Section 4.13 (Business Activities); Section 4.15 (Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event); Section 4.16 (Additional Note Guarantees); Section 4.17 (Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries); Section 4.18 (Covenant Suspension); Clause (a)(4) of Section 5.01 (Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets); and Sections 6.01 (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) (Events of Default) are hereby deleted in their respective entireties;

(b) all definitions set forth in Section 1.01 of the Indenture that relate to defined terms used solely in sections that have been deleted in their respective entireties pursuant to clause (a) above are also hereby deleted in their respective entireties;

(c) all references to Sections of the Indenture amended or supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture shall be to such Sections as amended or supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture; and

(d) all references to Sections or defined terms deleted by this First Supplemental Indenture shall be removed from the Global Note.

This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereby by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee; provided however, that the amendments provided for in Section 2.1 hereof shall not become operative until the settlement of the Exchange Offer expected to occur within two Business Days of the Exchange Offer expiration at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 1, 2021 (the “Settlement Date”).

 

2


Effective as of the date hereof and operative on the Settlement Date, none of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee or other parties to or beneficiaries of the Indenture shall have any rights, obligations or liabilities under such deleted Sections or clauses and such deleted Sections or clauses shall not be considered in determining whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred or whether the Company or any of the Guarantors has observed, performed or complied with the provisions of the Indenture.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1 Relation to Original Indenture. This First Supplemental Indenture amends or supplements the Indenture and shall be a part of and subject to all the terms thereof. Except as supplemented hereby, all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes issued thereunder shall continue in full force and effect. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the terms and conditions of this First Supplemental Indenture, then the terms and conditions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall prevail.

Section 3.2 Governing Law. THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Each of the parties hereto agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this First Supplemental Indenture.

Section 3.3 Concerning the Trustee. The Trustee accepts the modifications of the trust effected by this First Supplemental Indenture, but only upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals herein contained which shall be taken as statements of the Company and the Guarantors, and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any way whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto.

Section 3.4 Successors. All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this First Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this First Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 3.5 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

Section 3.6 Duplicate of Originals. All parties may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.

[signature pages follow]

 

3


ISSUER:
Indigo Natural Resources LLC
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name: William E. Pritchard III
  Title: Executive Chairman

 

[Signature page to First Supplemental Indenture]


GUARANTORS:
Indigo Minera LLC
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name: William E. Pritchard III
  Title: Executive Chairman
Indigo Haynesville Agent Corporation
By:  

/s/ William E. Pritchard III

  Name: William E. Pritchard III
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to First Supplemental Indenture]


TRUSTEE:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
By:  

/s/ Sara Corcoran

  Name: Sara Corcoran
  Title: Officer

 

 

[Signature page to First Supplemental Indenture]

EX-4.36

Exhibit 4.36

[                                         ]

 

[Face of Note]

CUSIP            

ISIN               

5.375% Senior Notes due 2029

 

No. ___    $                    

INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC

promises to pay to                  or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                      DOLLARS [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note] on February 1, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1

Record Dates: January 15 and July 15

Dated:                  ,            

 

A-1


INDIGO NATURAL RESOURCES LLC
By:  

 

  Name: William E. Pritchard III
  Title:   Executive Chairman

 

[Rule 144 Note (A-1)]


Certificate of Authentication:
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
Dated:                     , 2021

 

[Rule 144 Note (A-1)]


[BACK OF NOTE]

5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. Indigo Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 5.375% per annum from [February 2, 2021]1. The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, or if any such day is a Legal Holiday, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”); provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be August 1, 2021. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any payment with respect to any principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on any Note (including any payment to be made on any date fixed for redemption or purchase of any Note) is due on a day which is a Legal Holiday, then the payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 15 and July 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose described in the Indenture, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of at least $5 million principal amount of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to an account in the continental United States to the Company or the Paying Agent at least 30 days prior to the applicable payment date. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

1 

Issue Date for initial notes.

 

3


(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(4) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 2, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling to the extent permitted by law. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes), upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, provided that:

(A) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes but excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently); and

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

(b) At any time prior to February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(c) Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs and paragraph (e) below, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to February 1, 2024.

(d) On or after February 1, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelvemonth period beginning on February 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

4


Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.688

2025

     101.344

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

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

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

(6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will send a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

 

5


(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, the Company may be required as set forth in the Indenture to apply Excess Proceeds to make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Pari Passu Indebtedness. Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or send electronically if DTC is the recipient, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of minimum denominations of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding

Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

6


(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, then the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase any Notes).

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, member, incorporator or stockholder or other owner of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

7


(18) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

600 Travis Street,

Suite 5500

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention:       Robert W. Hunt, Jr.

Email: [email protected]

 

8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                 (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                                                      to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                    

 

  Your Signature:                                                                                                 
                          (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

☐  Section 4.10                 ☐  Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                             

Date:                    

 

  Your Signature:                                                                                                 
                          (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
  Tax Identification No.:                                                                                      

Signature Guarantee*:                                         

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

1


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

 

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

Amount of

this Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal

Amount of

this Global Note

 

Principal

Amount

of this Global

Note following

such decrease

(or increase)

 

Signature of

authorized

officer of Trustee

or Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

1

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

  SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP  
 

ONE MANHATTAN WEST

NEW YORK, NY 10001

-----------

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

 

October 12, 2021

 

FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES

-----------

BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

-----------

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MOSCOW

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

TORONTO

 

Southwestern Energy Company

10000 Energy Drive

Spring, Texas 77389

 

  Re:

Southwestern Energy Company

Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States counsel to Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the public offering of up to $698,528,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s registered 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “New Notes”), to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of August 30, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and Regions Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 3, 2021, among the Company, each of the entities listed on Schedule I hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors” each a “Subsidiary Guarantor” and, together with the Company, the “Opinion Parties” and each, an “Opinion Party”), and the Trustee (the “Second Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”).

The New Notes are to be issued pursuant to an offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $698,528,000 of the New Notes, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), for a like principal amount of the Company’s issued and outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Outstanding Notes”) as contemplated by the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 3, 2021, by and among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Regions Securities LLC, as Dealer Managers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).


Southwestern Energy Company

October 12, 2021

Page 2

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

(a) the registration statement on Form S-4 of the Company relating to the New Notes filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act and Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto (such registration statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

(b) an executed copy of the Registration Rights Agreement;

(c) an executed copy of the Base Indenture, including Article XI of such Base Indenture containing the guaranty obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(d) an executed copy of the Second Supplemental Indenture, including Article VII of such Second Supplemental Indenture containing the guaranty obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Supplemental Guarantees”);

(e) the form of global certificate to evidence the New Notes to be registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the “New Notes Certificate”);

(f) an executed copy of a certificate for each Opinion Party of Chris Lacy, Secretary of each Opinion Party, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);

(g) a copy of each Opinion Party’s Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Formation, as applicable, as described on Schedule II hereto, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the Texas Secretary of State, as applicable, as of the applicable date set forth on Schedule II hereto and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;

(h) a copy of each Opinion Party’s Bylaws or Limited Liability Company Agreement, as described on Schedule III hereto, as applicable, as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;

(i) copies of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Opinion Parties, adopted on June 1, 2021, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate; and

(j) copies of certain resolutions of the Member of each Subsidiary Guarantor, adopted on August 1, 2021 and September 3, 2021, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.


Southwestern Energy Company

October 12, 2021

Page 3

 

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Opinion Parties and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Opinion Parties and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Opinion Parties and others and of public officials, including those in the Secretary’s Certificate and the factual representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Documents (as defined below).

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws, of the State of New York, (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), (iii) the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”), and (iv) the Texas Limited Liability Company Law (the “TLLCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined on Law”).

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Indenture and the New Notes Certificate.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. The New Notes Certificate has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company and, when the New Notes Certificate has been duly executed by the Company under the DGCL and duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company upon consummation of the Exchange Offer against receipt of the Outstanding Notes to be surrendered in exchange therefor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, the New Notes Certificate will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.

2. The Supplemental Guarantee of each Subsidiary Guarantor has been duly authorized by all requisite limited liability company action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the DLLCA or TLLCL, as applicable, and, when the New Note Certificates are issued and delivered by the Company upon consummation of the Exchange Offer against receipt of the Outstanding Notes to be surrendered in exchange therefor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, each Supplemental Guarantee will constitute the valid and binding obligation of each Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against each Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms under the laws of the State of New York.


Southwestern Energy Company

October 12, 2021

Page 4

 

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws and governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(c) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent that any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;

(e) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;

(f) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of Section 11.02 of the Base Indenture to the extent that such section provides that the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the enforceability or genuineness of the Supplemental Guarantees or the effect thereof on the opinions herein stated;

(g) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of the provisions contained in Section 11.05 of the Base Indenture to the extent that such provisions limit the obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture or any right of contribution of any party with respect to the Supplemental Guarantees; and

(h) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.


Southwestern Energy Company

October 12, 2021

Page 5

 

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that, at all applicable times:

(a) neither the execution and delivery by each Opinion Party of the Transaction Documents to which such Opinion Party is a party nor the performance by the Company and such Opinion Party of its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents and Registration Rights Agreement, including the issuance of the New Notes: (i) constituted or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which such Opinion Party or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (i) with respect to those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement or the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020), (ii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which such Opinion Party or its property is subject, or (iii) violated or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which such Opinion Party or their respective property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

(b) neither the execution and delivery by any Opinion Party of the Transaction Documents to which such Opinion Party is a party nor the performance by such Opinion Party of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the New Notes, required or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations, promulgated hereunder. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP


Schedule I

Subsidiary Guarantors

 

  1.

Angelina Gathering Company, LLC

 

  2.

A.W. Realty Company, LLC

 

  3.

SWN Drilling Company, LLC

 

  4.

SWN E&P Services, LLC

 

  5.

SWN Energy Services Company, LLC

 

  6.

SWN International, LLC

 

  7.

SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC

 

  8.

SWN Producer Services, LLC

 

  9.

SWN Production Company, LLC

 

  10.

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC

 

  11.

SWN Production (Ohio), LLC

 

  12.

SWN Water Resources Company, LLC

 

  13.

SWN Well Services, LLC


Schedule II

Certificates of Incorporation and Certificates of Formation

Delaware Opinion Parties

 

  1.

Certificate of Incorporation of Southwestern Energy Company, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of September 3, 2021.

 

  2.

Certificate of Formation SWN International, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of August 24, 2021.

Texas Opinion Parties

 

  3.

Certificate of Formation of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  4.

Certificate of Formation of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  5.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Drilling Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  6.

Certificate of Formation of SWN E & P Services, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  7.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  8.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  9.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Producer Services, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  10.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Production Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  11.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Production (Ohio), LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  12.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Water Resources Company, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  13.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Well Services, LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of August 24, 2021.

 

  14.

Certificate of Formation of SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as of October 11, 2021.


Schedule III

Operating Agreements

 

  1.

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Southwestern Energy Company, dated April 28, 2020.

 

  2.

Operating Agreement of Angelina Gathering Company, LLC, dated December 22, 2005, by SWN Midstream Services, LLC as sole member.

 

  3.

Company Agreement of A.W. Realty Company, LLC, dated December 31, 2015, by Southwestern Energy Company as sole member.

 

  4.

Company Agreement of SWN Drilling Company, LLC, dated December 31, 2014, by SWN Production Company, LLC as sole member.

 

  5.

Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN E&P Services, LLC, dated October 22, 2014, by Southwestern Energy Company as sole member.

 

  6.

Company Agreement of SWN Energy Services Company, LLC, dated December 31, 2014, by SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC as sole member.

 

  7.

Operating Agreement of SWN International, LLC, dated March 19, 2010, by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  8.

SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, dated March 19, 2010, by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  9.

Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Producer Services, LLC, dated October 22, 2015, by SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC, as sole member.

 

  10.

Company Agreement of SWN Production Company, LLC, dated November 6, 2014, by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  11.

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC, dated September 7, 2021, by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  12.

Limited Liability Company Agreement of SWN Production (Ohio), LLC, dated April 30, 2021 by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  13.

Company Agreement of SWN Water Resources Company, LLC, dated April 19, 2017 by Southwestern Energy Company, as sole member.

 

  14.

Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SWN Well Services, LLC, dated October 14, 2014 by SWN E&P Services, LLC, as sole member.

EX-22

Exhibit 22

List of Subsidiary Guarantors

As of September 10, 2021, each of the following subsidiaries of Southwestern Energy Company is a guarantor of the 4.10% Senior Notes due 2022, 4.95% Senior Notes due 2025, 7.50% Senior Notes due 2026, 7.75% Senior Notes due 2027, 8.375% Senior Notes due 2028, 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 and 5.375% Senior Notes due 2030:

 

Subsidiary Guarantors

  

State of Organization

Angelina Gathering Company, LLC

  

Texas

A.W. Realty Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Drilling Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN E & P Services, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Energy Services Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN International, LLC

  

Delaware

SWN Midstream Services Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Producer Services, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Production Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Production (Louisiana), LLC

  

Texas

SWN Production (Ohio), LLC

  

Texas

SWN Water Resources Company, LLC

  

Texas

SWN Well Services, LLC

  

Texas

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Southwestern Energy Company of our report dated March 1, 2021 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Southwestern Energy Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

October 12, 2021

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Southwestern Energy Company of our report dated March 25, 2021, except for the effects of the change in the accounting for redeemable preferred units discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is July 1, 2021, relating to the financial statements of Indigo Natural Resources LLC, which appears in Southwestern Energy Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

October 12, 2021

EX-23.3

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our report dated March 10, 2020 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Montage Resources Corporation included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Southwestern Energy Company filed on January 22, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

October 12, 2021

EX-23.4

Exhibit 23.4

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

We hereby consent to the inclusion in or incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (including any amendments or supplements thereto, related appendices, and financial statements) of Indigo Natural Resources LLC of our reserves report, dated January 25, 2021, with respect to estimates of reserves and future net revenues to the combined interests of Southwestern Energy Company and its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2020. We also hereby consent to all references to our firm or such reports included in or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to use of our name as it appears under “Experts”.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III

 

C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dallas, Texas

October 12, 2021


LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

We hereby consent to the inclusion in or incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (including any amendments or supplements thereto, related appendices, and financial statements) of Southwestern Energy Company of our audit letter, dated February 9, 2021, and the information therein, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Southwestern Energy Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. We also hereby consent to all references to our firm or such reports included in or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to use of our name as it appears under “Experts”.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Danny D. Simmons

 

Danny D. Simmons

President and Chief Operating Officer

Houston, Texas

October 12, 2021

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