EX-3.1 2 a17-22685_5ex3d1.htm EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

 

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.

 

1



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Section 1.2

Construction

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

ORGANIZATION

23

 

 

Section 2.1

Formation

23

Section 2.2

Name

23

Section 2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

23

Section 2.4

Purpose and Business

24

Section 2.5

Powers

24

Section 2.6

Power of Attorney

24

Section 2.7

Term

26

Section 2.8

Title to Partnership Assets

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

26

 

 

Section 3.1

Limitation of Liability

26

Section 3.2

Management of Business

26

Section 3.3

Outside Activities of the Limited Partners

27

Section 3.4

Rights of Limited Partners

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

28

 

 

Section 4.1

Certificates

28

Section 4.2

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

28

Section 4.3

Record Holders

29

Section 4.4

Transfer Generally

29

Section 4.5

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

30

Section 4.6

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

31

Section 4.7

[Reserved]

31

Section 4.8

Restrictions on Transfers

31

Section 4.9

Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees

32

Section 4.10

Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees

33

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

34

 

 

Section 5.1

[Reserved]

34

Section 5.2

Contributions by the General Partner

34

Section 5.3

[Reserved]

34

Section 5.4

Interest and Withdrawal

34

 

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Section 5.5

Capital Accounts

35

Section 5.6

Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities

39

Section 5.7

[Reserved]

40

Section 5.8

[Reserved]

40

Section 5.9

No Preemptive Right

40

Section 5.10

Splits and Combinations

40

Section 5.11

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

41

Section 5.12

[Reserved]

41

Section 5.13

[Reserved]

41

Section 5.14

Establishment of Series A Preferred Units

41

Section 5.15

Establishment of Series B Preferred Units

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

67

 

 

Section 6.1

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

67

Section 6.2

Allocations for Tax Purposes

73

Section 6.3

Requirement for and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

75

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

76

 

 

Section 7.1

Management

76

Section 7.2

Certificate of Limited Partnership

78

Section 7.3

Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority

79

Section 7.4

Reimbursement of the General Partner

79

Section 7.5

Outside Activities

80

Section 7.6

Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership; Contracts with Affiliates; Certain Restrictions on the General Partner

81

Section 7.7

Indemnification

83

Section 7.8

Liability of lndemnitees

85

Section 7.9

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest

85

Section 7.10

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

87

Section 7.11

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities

87

Section 7.12

Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates

87

Section 7.13

Reliance by Third Parties

89

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

90

 

 

Section 8.1

Records and Accounting

90

Section 8.2

Fiscal Year

90

Section 8.3

Reports

90

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TAX MATTERS

91

 

 

Section 9.1

Tax Returns and Information

91

 

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Section 9.2

Tax Elections

91

Section 9.3

Tax Controversies

91

Section 9.4

Withholding

92

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

92

 

 

Section 10.1

[Reserved]

92

Section 10.2

Admission of Substituted Limited Partner

92

Section 10.3

Admission of Successor General Partner

93

Section 10.4

Admission of Additional Limited Partners

93

Section 10.5

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

94

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

94

 

 

Section 11.1

Withdrawal of the General Partner

94

Section 11.2

Removal of the General Partner

95

Section 11.3

Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner

96

Section 11.4

[Reserved]

97

Section 11.5

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

97

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

97

 

 

Section 12.1

Dissolution

97

Section 12.2

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

98

Section 12.3

Liquidator

98

Section 12.4

Liquidation

99

Section 12.5

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

100

Section 12.6

Return of Contributions

100

Section 12.7

Waiver of Partition

100

Section 12.8

Capital Account Restoration

100

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT;

 

MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

100

 

 

Section 13.1

Amendment to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

100

Section 13.2

Amendment Procedures

102

Section 13.3

Amendment Requirements

102

Section 13.4

Meetings

103

Section 13.5

Notice of a Meeting

104

Section 13.6

Record Date

104

Section 13.7

Adjournment

105

Section 13.8

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes

105

Section 13.9

Quorum; Required Vote for Limited Partner Action

105

Section 13.10

Conduct of a Meeting

106

Section 13.11

Action Without a Meeting

106

Section 13.12

Voting and Other Rights

107

 

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Section 13.13

Pass-Through Nominations

107

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MERGER

108

 

 

Section 14.1

Authority

108

Section 14.2

Procedure for Merger or Consolidation

108

Section 14.3

Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation

109

Section 14.4

Certificate of Merger

110

Section 14.5

Effect of Merger

110

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV

 

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

110

 

 

Section 15.1

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

110

 

 

 

ARTICLE XVI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

112

 

 

Section 16.1

Addresses and Notices

112

Section 16.2

Further Action

113

Section 16.3

Binding Effect

113

Section 16.4

Integration

113

Section 16.5

Creditors

113

Section 16.6

Waiver

113

Section 16.7

Counterparts

113

Section 16.8

Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction

114

Section 16.9

Invalidity of Provisions

115

Section 16.10

Consent of Partners

115

 

v



 

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.

 

THIS SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P. dated as of October 10, 2017, effective on the date hereof, except with respect to Section 6.1(d)(xii), which is effective as of January 1, 2016, is entered into by and among PAA GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and the additional Persons that are or become Partners of the Partnership as provided herein.

 

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties thereto entered into that certain Sixth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of November 15, 2016 (as subsequently amended, the “Sixth A&R LP Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to amend and restate the Sixth A&R LP Agreement in its entirety in accordance with Section 13.1 of the Sixth A&R LP Agreement to establish a new class of limited partner interests, the Series B Preferred Units.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner does hereby amend and restate the Sixth A&R LP Agreement to provide, in its entirety, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1                                    Definitions.

 

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

“2001 GP Transfer Agreement” means the Contribution, Assignment and Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2001, among the 2001 Predecessor General Partner, the 2007 Predecessor General Partner and Plains All American GP LLC.

 

“2001 Predecessor General Partner” means Plains All American Inc., in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest to the 2007 Predecessor General Partner pursuant to the 2001 GP Transfer Agreement.

 

“2007 GP Transfer Agreement” means the Contribution and Assumption Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2007, by and between the 2007 Predecessor General Partner and the General Partner.

 

“2007 Predecessor General Partner” means Plains AAP, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership (i) after the transfer of the General Partner Interest by the 2001 Predecessor General Partner pursuant to the 2001 GP Transfer Agreement and (ii) prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest to the General Partner pursuant to the 2007 GP Transfer Agreement.

 

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AAP Common Units” means Common Units held by Plains AAP or any Affiliate of Plains AAP.

 

“Acquisition” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.

 

“Additional Limited Partner” means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.4 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.

 

“Adjusted Capital Account” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)).  The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.  The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of the General Partner Interest, a Common Unit, a Series A Preferred Unit or any other specified interest in the Partnership shall be the amount which such Adjusted Capital Account would be if the General Partner Interest or such Common Unit, Series A Preferred Unit or other interest in the Partnership were the only interest in the Partnership held by a Partner from and after the date on which the General Partner Interest or such Common Unit, Series A Preferred Unit or other interest was first issued.

 

“Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).  Once an Adjusted Property is deemed contributed to a new partnership in exchange for an interest in the new partnership, followed by a deemed liquidation of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes upon a termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, such property shall thereafter constitute a Contributed Property until the Carrying Value of such property is subsequently adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question.  As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or

 

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indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Agreed Allocation” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including, without limitation, a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

 

“Agreed Value” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.  The General Partner shall, in its discretion, use such method as it deems reasonable and appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

 

“Agreement” means this Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

“Assignee” means a Non-citizen Assignee or a Person to whom one or more Limited Partner Interests have been transferred in a manner permitted under this Agreement, but who has not been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner.

 

“Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

 

“Available Cash” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date,

 

(a)                                 the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) all additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less

 

(b)                                 the amount of any cash reserves that is necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 5.14(b)(i) and Section 5.15(c)(i) or distributions to the holders of the Common Units in respect of any one or more of the next four

 

3



 

Quarters; provided, however, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of PAGP GP (or the comparable governing body of any successor to the General Partner or any successor entity to PAGP GP that controls the General Partner).

 

“Book-Tax Disparity” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date.  A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.

 

“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the states of New York or Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

Calculation Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, acting in its capacity as calculation agent for the Series B Preferred Units, and its successors and assigns or any other calculation agent appointed by the General Partner.

 

“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5.  The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of the General Partner Interest or a Common Unit, a Series A Preferred Unit, a Series B Preferred Unit or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount which such Capital Account would be if the General Partner Interest or such Common Unit, Series A Preferred Unit, a Series B Preferred Unit or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by a Partner from and after the date on which the General Partner Interest or such Common Unit, Series A Preferred Unit, a Series B Preferred Unit or other Partnership Interest was first issued.

 

“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement or the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement.

 

“Capital Improvement” means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, pipeline systems, terminalling and storage facilities and related assets), in each case made to increase the operating capacity or revenues of the

 

4



 

Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.

 

“Capital Surplus” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).

 

“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ and Assignees’ Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.  The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

 

“Cause” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership.

 

“Certificate” means a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement with respect to the Common Units, or Exhibit B to this Agreement with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, or Exhibit C to this Agreement with respect to the Series B Preferred Units, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner in its discretion, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner in its discretion, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.

 

“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 2.1, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

“Citizenship Certification” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which an Assignee or a Limited Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.

 

“Claim” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).

 

“Closing Date” means November 23, 1998.

 

“Closing Price” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.  Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of successor law.

 

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“Combined Interest” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).

 

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

 

“Common Unit” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not include a Series A Preferred Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

“Conflicts Committee” means a committee of the board of directors of the General Partner (or if the General Partner has no board of directors, a committee established by the Board of Directors, directly or pursuant to the governing documents of one of its controlled Affiliates), which committee shall be composed entirely of two or more directors, each of whom (a) except as provided below, is not a director, officer or employee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (collectively, the “Designated GP Affiliates”), (b) is not the holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or any of the Designated GP Affiliates (other than (i) Common Units or (ii) other awards of Partnership Interests that are granted to such director under a long-term incentive plan), except that an individual shall not be precluded from serving on the Conflicts Committee due to the ownership of interests in any of the Designated GP Affiliates, including PAGP, unless the Board of Directors determines, after taking into account the totality of the specific circumstances involving such individual, that such ownership will likely have an adverse impact on the ability of such individual to act in an independent manner with respect to the matter submitted to the Conflicts Committee and (c) is determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the independence standards for individuals who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors as established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests is listed or admitted to trading (or, if no Partnership Interests are listed or admitted for trading on a National Securities Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual shall not be disqualified from serving on the Conflicts Committee by virtue of such individual serving as a member of the board of directors of PAGP GP or Plains All American GP LLC (or the governing body of any successor of such entities).

 

“Contributed Property” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership (or deemed contributed to a new partnership on termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708 of the Code).  Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

 

“Contribution and Conveyance Agreement” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the 2001 Predecessor General Partner, the Plains Midstream Subsidiaries, the Partnership, the Operating Partnerships and certain other parties, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.

 

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“Curative Allocation” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).

 

“Current Market Price” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. § 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

“Departing Partner” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.

 

“Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

 

“Eligible Citizen” means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a Limited Partner or Assignee does not or would not subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or interest therein.

 

“Eligible Limited Partners” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.4(c).

 

“Event of Withdrawal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).

 

“Existing Owner” means a record holder of a limited partnership interest in Plains AAP as of the Series A Issuance Date.

 

Fifth A&R LP Agreement” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of January 28, 2016.

 

“General Partner” means PAA GP LLC, as the successor to the 2007 Predecessor General Partner, its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Partnership and, if the context otherwise requires, its predecessor in interest.

 

“General Partner Interest” means the non-economic ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner Interest does not include any rights to receive distributions from operations or upon the liquidation or winding up of the Partnership.

 

“Group” means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except

 

7



 

voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons) or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Securities.

 

“Group Member” means a member of the Partnership Group.

 

“Holder” as used in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).

 

“Indemnified Persons” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).

 

“Indemnitee” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee, agent or trustee of any Group Member, the General Partner, the Operating General Partner, any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner, the Operating General Partner or any Departing Partner, and (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner as an officer, director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services.

 

“Initial Common Units” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.

 

“Initial Distribution Period” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.14(b)(i)(A).

 

“Initial Limited Partners” means the 2001 Predecessor General Partner and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement.

 

“Initial Offering” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.

 

“Initial Unit Price” means (a) $20.00 or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units; provided, with respect to Common Units, on October 1, 2012, each such price was reduced by one-half to give effect to the two-for-one split of the Common Units effected on October 1, 2012 by way of a dividend and distribution of one Common Unit for each Common Unit outstanding to Record Holders as of September 17, 2012.

 

“Interim Capital Transactions” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date:  (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness and sales of debt securities (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member; (b) sales of equity

 

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interests by any Group Member (other than the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of their Over-Allotment Option); and (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements.

 

Junior Interests” means any class or series of Partnership Securities that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks junior to the Preferred Units, including but not limited to Common Units, but excluding any Preferred Parity Securities and Preferred Senior Securities.

 

LIBOR Determination Date” means the second London Business Day immediately preceding the first day of each relevant Quarter.

 

“Limited Partner” means, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each Substituted Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3 or (b) solely for purposes of Articles V, VI, VII and IX and Sections 12.3 and 12.4, each Assignee.

 

“Limited Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Series A Preferred Units or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner or Assignee is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner or Assignee to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Liquidation Date” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

 

“Liquidator” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.3 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

 

London Business Day” means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

 

“Merger Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.

 

“National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

“Net Agreed Value” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such

 

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contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner or Assignee by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner or Assignee upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code.

 

“Net Income” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable year.  The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

“Net Loss” means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable year over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable year.  The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

“Non-citizen Assignee” means a Person whom the General Partner has determined in its discretion does not constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become the Substituted Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.9.

 

“Nonrecourse Built-in Gain” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

 

“Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditures (described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

 

“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

“Notice of Election to Purchase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).

 

“Omnibus Agreement” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2016, among the Partnership, the General Partner, Plains AAP, Plains All American GP LLC, PAGP and PAGP GP.

 

“Operating Expenditures” means all Partnership Group expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, debt service payments, and capital expenditures, subject to the following:

 

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(a)                                 Payments (including prepayments) of principal of and premium on indebtedness shall not be an Operating Expenditure if the payment is (i) required in connection with the sale or other disposition of assets or (ii) made in connection with the refinancing or refunding of indebtedness with the proceeds from new indebtedness or from the sale of equity interests.  For purposes of the foregoing, at the election and in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, any payment of principal or premium shall be deemed to be refunded or refinanced by any indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by the Partnership Group within 180 days before or after such payment to the extent of the principal amount of such indebtedness.

 

(b)                                 Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) capital expenditures made for Acquisitions or for Capital Improvements, (ii) payment of transaction expenses relating to Interim Capital Transactions or (iii) distributions to Partners. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Acquisitions or for Capital Improvements and in part for other purposes, the General Partner’s good faith allocation between the amounts paid for each shall be conclusive.

 

“Operating General Partner” means Plains Marketing GP Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, and any successors and permitted assigns as the general partner of the Operating Partnerships.

 

“Operating Partnerships” means Plains Marketing, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, Plains Pipeline, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, and such other Persons that are either disregarded as separate from the Partnership or treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes that are majority-owned by the Partnership and controlled by the Partnership (whether by direct or indirect ownership of the general partner of such Person or otherwise) and established or acquired for the purpose of conducting the business of the Partnership.

 

“Operating Partnership Agreements” means the agreements of limited partnership of any Operating Partnerships that are limited partnerships, or any limited liability company agreements of any Operating Partnerships that are limited liability companies that are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

“Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

 

(a)                                 the sum of (i) $25 million plus all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group on hand as of the close of business on the Closing Date, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending with the last day of such period, other than cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, less

 

(b)                                 the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending with the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves that is necessary or advisable in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided, however, that disbursements made (including

 

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contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner in its reasonable discretion.

 

“Organizational Limited Partner” means Michael R. Patterson in his capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Outstanding” means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Common Units so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 5.14(b)(iv) and Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Common Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates; (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply; (iii) the initial Series A Purchasers (but not their permitted assigns) with respect to their ownership (beneficially or of record) of the Series A Preferred Units, Series A PIK Preferred Units or Series A Conversion Units; (iv) any Series A Unitholder in connection with any vote, consent or approval of the Series A Unitholders as a separate class or (v) any Series B Preferred Unitholder in connection with any vote, consent or approval of the Series B Preferred Unitholders pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(ii); and provided, further, that if any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, all of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be deemed Outstanding solely for purposes of nominating persons for election as PAGP Eligible Directors in accordance with Section 13.13, and the Partnership Interests held by such Person or Group constituting a number up to 19.9% of the PAGP Outstanding Shares, taken together as a single class, shall be considered Outstanding with respect to voting on the election of persons to serve as PAGP Eligible Directors in accordance with Section 13.4(c) and be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of

 

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Limited Partners to vote on such matters, calculating required votes with respect to such matters, determining the presence of a quorum for meetings at which such matters are to be acted upon or for other similar purposes under this Agreement.

 

“Over-Allotment Option” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

 

PAGP” means Plains GP Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor thereto.

 

PAGP GP” means PAA GP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereto.

 

PAGP Class C Shares” means Class C shares representing limited partner interests in PAGP, or any interest of PAGP into which or for which such Class C shares may be reclassified, converted, changed or exchanged.

 

PAGP Eligible Directors” has the meaning assigned to the term “Eligible Directors” in the PAGP LP Agreement.

 

PAGP GP LLC Agreement” means the limited liability company agreement of PAGP GP, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

PAGP LP Agreement” means the agreement of limited partnership of PAGP, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

PAGP Outstanding Shares” means the number of outstanding Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares, each as defined in the PAGP LP Agreement.

 

“Parity Units” means Common Units and all other Units having rights to distributions or in liquidation ranking on a parity with the Common Units.

 

“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

 

“Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

 

“Partnership” means Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successors thereto.

 

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“Partnership Group” means the Partnership, the Operating Partnerships and any Subsidiary of any such entity, including the Operating General Partner, treated as a single consolidated entity.

 

“Partnership Interest” means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.

 

“Partnership Minimum Gain” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).

 

Partnership Restructuring Event” means any restructuring, simplification or similar transaction or series of transactions that modifies, eliminates or otherwise restructures the General Partner Interest, the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Fifth A&R LP Agreement) or the equity interests of the General Partner or its Affiliates, provided that the principal parties thereto are the Partnership, the Existing Owners, the Series A Purchasers and/or their respective Affiliates.

 

“Partnership Security” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including without limitation, Common Units and Series A Preferred Units.

 

“Per Unit Capital Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit other than an AAP Common Unit.

 

“Percentage Interest” means as of any date of determination (a) as to any Unitholder (other than in respect of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units) or Assignee, with respect to its Units (other than in respect of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units), the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to paragraph (b) by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder (other than in respect of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units) or Assignee by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units (other than in respect of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units) and (b) as to the holders of additional Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to a Series A Preferred Unit, a Series B Preferred Unit or the General Partner Interest shall at all times be zero.

 

“Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

Plains AAP” means Plains AAP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

 

“Plains All American GP LLC” means Plains All American GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

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“Preference Excess” means, with respect to any holder of Preferred Units, the amount by which the holder’s Capital Account would need to be reduced in order for its Relative Preference Percentage to equal the Relative Preference Percentage of the Preferred Unitholder with the lowest Relative Preference Percentage.

 

Preferred Parity Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Securities that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks pari passu to the Preferred Units.

 

Preferred Senior Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Securities that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities and distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks senior to the Preferred Units.

 

Preferred Units” means the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, collectively.

 

“Pro Rata” means (a) when modifying Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when modifying Partners and Assignees, apportioned among all Partners and Assignees in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (c) when modifying Series A Preferred Unitholders, apportioned equally among all Series A Preferred Unitholders in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Series A Preferred Units held by each such Series A Preferred Unitholder and (d) when modifying Series B Preferred Unitholders, apportioned equally among all Series B Preferred Unitholders in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Series B Preferred Units held by each such Series B Preferred Unitholder.

 

“Purchase Date” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Units of a certain class (other than Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

 

“Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership.

 

Rating Agency” means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) that publishes a rating for the Partnership.

 

“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

 

“Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

 

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“Record Holder” means the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to other Partnership Securities, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Security is registered on the books which the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.

 

“Redeemable Interests” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.

 

“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-64107) as it has been amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.

 

“Relative Preference Percentage” means, with respect to a Series A Preferred Unit or a Series B Preferred Unit, the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of the then-current Per Unit Capital Amount of such unit divided by the Series A Liquidation Value or the Series B Liquidation Value, as applicable.

 

Representative Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(3).

 

“Required Allocations” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), 6.1(d)(ii), 6.1(d)(iv), 6.1(d)(vii) or 6.1(d)(ix).

 

“Residual Gain” or “Residual Loss” means any item of gain or loss; as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

 

Reuters Page LIBOR01” means the display so designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may replace the LIBOR01 page on that service, or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).

 

Revaluation Event” means an event that results in adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

 

Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

 

“Series A Cash COC Conversion Premium” means (i) on or prior to the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, 115%, (ii) after the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, 110%, (iii) after the

 

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second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, 105%, and (iv) thereafter, 101%.

 

Series A Cash COC Event” means a Series A Change of Control of the Partnership that involves a payment of consideration directly to the Common Unitholders, and more than 90% of such consideration is cash.

 

Series A Change of Control” means:

 

(a)                                 the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the equity interests of the General Partner by a person or group that is not an Existing Owner, an initial Series A Purchaser or their respective Affiliates, if such acquisition gives such Person or Group the right to elect more than half of the members of the Board of Directors; or

 

(b)                                 any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

(c)                                  the removal of the General Partner by the Limited Partners of the Partnership, except for cases in which any successor General Partner is an Affiliate of any of the Existing Owners, the initial Series A Purchasers or their respective Affiliates;

 

provided, however, that for the sake of clarity, no Partnership Restructuring Event shall constitute a Series A Change of Control.

 

Series A Conversion Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(D).

 

Series A Conversion Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C).

 

Series A Conversion Notice Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C).

 

Series A Conversion Rate” means the number of Common Units issuable upon the conversion of each Series A Preferred Unit, which shall be 1.0 unless and until such rate is adjusted as set forth in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(E).

 

Series A Conversion Unit” means a Common Unit issued upon conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi). Immediately upon such issuance, each Series A Conversion Unit shall be considered a Common Unit for all purposes hereunder.

 

Series A Converting Unitholder” means a Person entitled to receive Common Units upon conversion of any Series A Preferred Units.

 

Series A Distribution Amount” means, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(ix), an amount per Quarter per Series A Preferred Unit equal to $0.525, which amount may be paid in additional Series A Preferred Units, cash or a combination thereof during the Initial Distribution Period as provided in Section 5.14(b)(1)(A).

 

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Series A Forced Conversion Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C).

 

Series A Forced Conversion Notice Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C).

 

Series A Issuance Date” means January 28, 2016.

 

Series A Issue Price” means $26.25 per Series A Preferred Unit.

 

Series A Liquidation Value” means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit Outstanding as of the date of such determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Series A Issue Price, plus (ii) all Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions and any accrued and unpaid Series A PIK Preferred Units, plus (iii) all accrued but unpaid distributions on such Series A Preferred Unit with respect to the Quarter in which the liquidation occurs.

 

Series A Parity Equivalent Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(iv).

 

Series A Parity Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests or distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Units, including the Series B Preferred Units.

 

“Series A PIK Payment Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(i)(E).

 

“Series A PIK Units” means any Series A Preferred Units issued pursuant to a Series A Quarterly Distribution in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(i)(A).

 

Series A Preferred Unitholder” means a Record Holder of Series A Preferred Units.

 

Series A Preferred Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(a).

 

Series A Purchase Agreement” means the Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Partnership and the Series A Purchasers, as amended.

 

Series A Purchasers” means those Persons set forth on Schedule A to the Series A Purchase Agreement, and their permitted assigns in accordance with the Series A Purchase Agreement and this Agreement.

 

Series A Quarterly Distribution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(i)(A).

 

Series A Required Voting Percentage” means 75% or more of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting separately as a class based upon one vote per Series A Preferred Unit.

 

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Series A Reset Amount” means a cash amount per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the amount that would be payable per Quarter if a Series A Preferred Unit accrued interest on the face amount thereof at an annualized rate equal to then applicable rate for ten year U.S. Treasury Securities, as determined by the General Partner, plus 5.85%.

 

Series A Senior Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests or distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units.

 

Series A Trigger Event” means any time at which distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Units have not been declared and paid in full with respect to three full Quarters, without regard as to whether such Quarters are consecutive.

 

Series A True-Up Amount” means the amount, if any, by which the Series A Liquidation Value of a Series A Preferred Unit exceeds the Per Unit Capital Amount of such Series A Preferred Unit.

 

Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(i)(B).

 

Series B Current Criteria” means the equity credit criteria of a Rating Agency for securities such as the Series B Preferred Units, as such criteria are in effect as of the Series B Original Issue Date.

 

Series B Distribution” means distributions with respect to Series B Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(i).

 

Series B Distribution Payment Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(i)(A).

 

Series B Distribution Period” means a period of time from and including the preceding Series B Distribution Payment Date (other than the initial Series B Distribution Period, which shall commence on and include the Series B Original Issue Date), to, but excluding, the next Series B Distribution Payment Date for such Series B Distribution Period.

 

Series B Distribution Rate” means an annual rate equal to (i) during the Series B Fixed Rate Period, 6.125% of the Series B Liquidation Preference and (ii) during the Series B Floating Rate Period, a percentage of the Series B Liquidation Preference equal to the sum of (a) the Series B Three-Month LIBOR, as calculated on each applicable LIBOR Determination Date, and (b) 4.11%.

 

Series B Fixed Rate Period” means the period from and including the Series B Original Issue Date to, but not including, November 15, 2022.

 

Series B Floating Rate Period” means the period from and including November 15, 2022 and thereafter until such time as all of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units are redeemed in accordance with Section 5.15(c)(iii).

 

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Series B Liquidation Preference” means a liquidation preference for each Series B Preferred Unit initially equal to $1,000 per unit (subject to adjustment for any splits, combinations or similar  adjustments to the Series B Preferred Units).

 

Series B Liquidation Value” means, with respect to each Series B Preferred Unit Outstanding as of the date of such determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Series B Liquidation Preference, plus (ii) all Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions, plus (iii) all accrued but unpaid distributions on such Series B Preferred Unit with respect to the Quarter in which the liquidation occurs.

 

Series B Original Issue Date” means October 10, 2017.

 

Series B Parity Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Interests that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Interests or distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks pari passu with the Series B Preferred Units, including the Series A Preferred Units.  For the avoidance of doubt, classes or series of Partnership Interests may qualify as Series B Parity Securities irrespective of whether or not the record date, distribution payment date, distribution rate or distribution periods of such class or series of Partnership Interests match those of the Series B Preferred Units or any other class or series of Series B Parity Securities.

 

Series B Paying Agent” means the Transfer Agent, acting in its capacity as paying agent for the Series B Preferred Units, and its respective successors and assigns or any other paying agent appointed by the General Partner; provided, however, that if no paying agent is specifically designated for the Series B Preferred Units, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

 

Series B Preferred Unitholder” means a Record Holder of Series B Preferred Units.

 

Series B Preferred Units” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15(a).

 

Series B Rating Event” means a change by any Rating Agency to the Series B Current Criteria, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the Series B Current Criteria are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series B Preferred Units, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series B Preferred Units than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series B Preferred Units by such Rating Agency pursuant to its Series B Current Criteria.

 

Series B Record Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15(c)(i)(B).

 

Series B Redemption Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(iii)(A).

 

Series B Redemption Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(iii)(C).

 

Series B Redemption Price” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(iii)(B).

 

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Series B Senior Securities” means any class or series of Partnership Securities that, with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities or distributions upon liquidation of the Partnership, ranks senior to the Series B Preferred Units.

 

Series B Three-Month LIBOR” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F).

 

“Series B Unpaid Cash Distribution” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.15(c)(i)(C).

 

Simplification Agreement” means that certain Simplification Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2016, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, PAGP GP, Plains AAP and certain other parties thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, the Partnership issued Common Units to Plains AAP and assumed the outstanding debt under Plains AAP’s credit facility in exchange for (i) Plains AAP’s direct interest in the incentive distribution rights of the Partnership and (ii) Plains AAP’s indirect interest in the 2.0% economic rights associated with the General Partner’s interest in the Partnership.

 

“Sixth A&R LP Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“Special Approval” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

Substantially Equivalent Unit” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.14(b)(vii)(B)(2).

 

“Substituted Limited Partner” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2 in place of and with all the rights of a Limited Partner and who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.

 

“Surviving Business Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).

 

“Trading Day” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).

 

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“Transfer” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).

 

“Transfer Agent” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units or other class of Partnership Securities; provided that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any class of Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

 

“Underwriter” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchased Common Units pursuant thereto.

 

“Underwriting Agreement” means the Underwriting Agreement dated November 17, 1998 among the Underwriters, the Partnership and certain other parties, providing for the purchase of Common Units by such Underwriters.

 

“Unit” means a Partnership Security that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units but shall not include the General Partner Interest.

 

“Unitholders” means the holders of Units.

 

“Unit Majority” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, including the Series A Preferred Units as described in Section 5.14(b)(iii)(A), but excluding the Series B Preferred Units.

 

“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).

 

“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).

 

“U.S. GAAP” means United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles consistently applied.

 

“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).

 

“Working Capital Borrowings” means borrowings exclusively for working capital purposes made pursuant to a credit facility or other arrangement requiring all such borrowings thereunder to be reduced to a relatively small amount each year for an economically meaningful period of time.

 

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Section 1.2                                    Construction.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; and (c) the term “include” or “includes” means includes, without limitation, and “including” means including, without limitation.

 

ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION

 

Section 2.1                                    Formation.

 

The 2001 Predecessor General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act.  Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.  All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes and a Partner has no interest in specific Partnership property.

 

Section 2.2                                    Name.

 

The name of the Partnership shall be “Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.”  The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner in its sole discretion, including the name of the General Partner.  The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires.  The General Partner in its discretion may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.3                                    Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices.

 

Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Service Company.  The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.  The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate.  The address of the General Partner shall be 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

 

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Section 2.4                                    Purpose and Business.

 

The Purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to engage directly in, or enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and which lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity; provided, however, that the General Partner reasonably determines, as of the date of the acquisition or commencement of such activity, that such activity (i) generates “qualifying income” (as such term is defined pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code) or (ii) enhances the operations of an activity of any Group Member or a Partnership activity that generates qualifying income, and do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member.  The General Partner has no obligation or duty to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or the Assignees to propose or approve, and in its discretion may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business.

 

Section 2.5                                    Powers.

 

The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

 

Section 2.6                                    Power of Attorney.

 

(a)                                 Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise), and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:

 

(i)                                     execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the

 

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dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, X, XI or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and

 

(ii)                                  execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments necessary or appropriate, in the discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or is necessary or appropriate, in the discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, to effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.

 

Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.  Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney.  Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

 

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Section 2.7                                    Term.

 

The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the close of Partnership business on December 31, 2088 or until the earlier dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII.  The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

 

Section 2.8                                    Title to Partnership Assets.

 

Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner or Assignee, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof.  Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine.  The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner.  All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

 

ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Section 3.1                                    Limitation of Liability.

 

The Limited Partners and the Assignees shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

 

Section 3.2                                    Management of Business.

 

No Limited Partner or Assignee, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership.  Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control

 

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of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3                                    Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5 and the Omnibus Agreement, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners or Assignees, any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group.  Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners or Assignees shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.

 

Section 3.4                                    Rights of Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                 In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a limited partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

 

(i)                                     to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;

 

(ii)                                  promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;

 

(iii)                               to have furnished to him a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

 

(iv)                              to have furnished to him a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

 

(v)                                 to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and

 

(vi)                              to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.

 

(b)                                 The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners and Assignees, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other

 

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information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).

 

ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 4.1                                    Certificates.

 

Upon the Partnership’s issuance of Common Units to any Person, the Partnership shall issue one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued.  In addition, (a) upon the General Partner’s request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its interests in the Partnership and (b) upon the request of any Person owning any Partnership Securities other than Common Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Partnership Securities other than Common Units.  Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates.  No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership and the Underwriters.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions regarding Certificates, the appropriate officers of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates on behalf of the Partnership may provide that some or all Common Units may be uncertificated; however, Certificates will be provided to any Unitholder upon such Unitholder’s request.

 

Section 4.2                                    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

 

(a)                                 If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate, or shall deliver other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(b)                                 The appropriate officers of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign a new Certificate, or shall deliver other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

 

(i)                                     makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Partnership, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

 

(ii)                                  requests the issuance of a new Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, before the Partnership has notice that the

 

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Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

 

(iii)                               if requested by the Partnership, delivers to the Partnership a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the Partnership, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the Partnership may reasonably direct, in its sole discretion, to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

 

(iv)                              satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Partnership.

 

If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to notify the Partnership within a reasonable time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner or Assignee shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units.

 

(c)                                  As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, under this Section 4.2, the Partnership may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

 

Section 4.3                                    Record Holders.

 

The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner or Assignee with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed for trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person (a) shall be the Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) of record and beneficially, and (b) shall be bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) hereunder and as, and to the extent, provided for herein.

 

Section 4.4                                    Transfer Generally.

 

(a)                                 The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner

 

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assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person who becomes the General Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner or an Assignee, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

 

(b)                                 No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV.  Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.

 

(c)                                  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or owner of the General Partner of any or all of the issued and outstanding stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests, as applicable, of the General Partner.

 

Section 4.5                                    Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(a)                                 The Partnership shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests.  The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided.  The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner or one of its Affiliates on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates, or shall deliver other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(b)                                 Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.9, the Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, are surrendered for registration of transfer.  No charge shall be imposed by the Partnership for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, under this Section 4.5, the Partnership may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.

 

(c)                                  Limited Partner Interests may be transferred only in the manner described in this Section 4.5 or, with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, subject to 5.14(b)(viii).  The

 

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transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Until admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.2, the Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest shall be an Assignee in respect of such Limited Partner Interest.  Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.

 

(e)                                  [Reserved]

 

(f)                                   The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units to one or more Persons.

 

Section 4.6                                    Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 4.6(b), the General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or of any limited partner of the Operating Partnerships or cause the Partnership or the Operating Partnerships to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership interest of the General Partner as the general partner or managing member of each other Group Member, if applicable.  In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be admitted to the Partnership as a General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the Partnership Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

 

Section 4.7                                    [Reserved]

 

Section 4.8                                    Restrictions on Transfers.

 

(a)                                 Except as provided in Section 4.8(c) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership or either Operating Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership or either Operating Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

 

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(b)                                 The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if a subsequent Opinion of Counsel determines that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes.  The restrictions may be imposed by making such amendments to this Agreement as the General Partner may determine to be necessary or appropriate to impose such restrictions; provided, however, that any amendment that the General Partner believes, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, could result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then traded must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

(c)                                  Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed for trading.

 

Section 4.9                                    Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees.

 

(a)                                 If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that, in the reasonable determination of the General Partner, creates a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner or Assignee, the General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other requested information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10.  In addition, the General Partner may require that the status of any such Partner or Assignee be changed to that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of his Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b)                                 The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including without limitation the General Partner) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.

 

(c)                                  Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the

 

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Non-citizen Assignee’s share of the distribution in kind.  Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).

 

(d)                                 At any time after a Non-citizen Assignee can and does certify that such Non-citizen Assignee has become an Eligible Citizen, such Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10 and upon such Non-Citizen Assignee’s admission pursuant to Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignee’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

Section 4.10                             Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen Assignees.

 

(a)                                 If at any time a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish a Citizenship Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period specified in Section 4.9(a), or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Citizen, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner or Assignee establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner or Assignee is an Eligible Citizen or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Citizen and who furnishes a Citizenship Certification to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Limited Partner or Assignee as follows:

 

(i)                                     The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner or Assignee, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid.  The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed.  The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner or Assignee would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

 

(ii)                                  The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests.  The redemption price shall be paid, in the discretion of the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 10% annually and payable in three equal

 

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annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

 

(iii)                               Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or Assignee, at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, the Limited Partner or Assignee or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.

 

(iv)                              After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b)                                 The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner or Assignee as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Citizen.

 

(c)                                  Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement.  Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner in a Citizenship Certification that he is an Eligible Citizen. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

 

ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 5.1                                    [Reserved]

 

Section 5.2                                    Contributions by the General Partner.

 

Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.

 

Section 5.3                                    [Reserved]

 

Section 5.4                                    Interest and Withdrawal.

 

No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions.  No Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement.  Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.  Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners and Assignees agree within the meaning of 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

 

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Section 5.5                                    Capital Accounts.

 

(a)                                 The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner in its sole discretion) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv).  Except as described below with respect to guaranteed payments with respect to Series B Preferred Units, such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units will be treated as a partnership interest in the Partnership that is “convertible equity” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(g)(3) and the Series B Preferred Units will be treated as a partnership interest in the Partnership, and, therefore, each holder of a Series A Preferred Unit or a Series B Preferred Unit will be treated as a partner in the Partnership. The initial Capital Account balance in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit shall be the Series A Issue Price, as such amount may be adjusted in accordance with the Series A Purchase Agreement for any reduction attributable to the Transaction Fee, as such term is defined in the Series A Purchase Agreement and expenses reimbursable under the Series A Purchase Agreement. The initial Capital Account balance in respect of each Series B Preferred Unit shall be $1,000. The Capital Account balance of each holder of Series A Preferred Units in respect of its Series A Preferred Units shall not be increased or decreased as a result of the accrual and accumulation of an unpaid distribution pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(i)(B) or Section 5.14(b)(i)(C) in respect of such Series A Preferred Units except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The Series B Preferred Units are entitled to a guaranteed payment for the use of capital under Section 707(c) of the Code, and therefore the Capital Account balance of each holder of Series B Preferred Units in respect of its Series B Preferred Units shall not be increased or decreased as a result of the accrual or payment of a distribution pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(i) in respect of such Series B Preferred Units, except (i) on any relevant date, the Capital Account of any Series B Preferred Unit shall also be deemed to include the amount of any Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions with respect to such Series B Preferred Unit as of such date or (ii) as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including, without limitation, any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:

 

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(i)                                     Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the Operating Partnership Agreements) of all property owned by the Operating Partnerships or any other Subsidiary that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

(ii)                                  All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(iii)                               Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

 

(iv)                              Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

 

(v)                                 In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property.  Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined (A) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment and (B) using a rate of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization derived from the same method and useful life (or, if applicable, the remaining useful life) as is applied for federal income tax purposes; provided, however, that, if the asset has a zero adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined using any reasonable method that the General Partner may adopt.

 

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(vi)                              If the Partnership’s adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is reduced for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3) of the Code, the amount of such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof, be deemed to be an additional depreciation or cost recovery deduction in the year such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.  Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section 48(q)(2) of the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same manner to the Partners to whom such deemed deduction was allocated.

 

(c)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.5(c), a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred. Immediately prior to the transfer of an AAP Common Unit (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such AAP Common Unit will (A) first, be allocated to the Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained AAP Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) above, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) above.

 

(d)

 

(i)                                     In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property (including a deemed issuance of Series A Preferred Units for cash pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(i)(F)), the PAA/AAP Interest Restructuring (as such term is defined in the Simplification Agreement) or the conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time and make any adjustments necessary to reflect the difference, if any, between the fair market value of any Series A Preferred Units for which the Conversion Date has not occurred and the aggregate Capital Accounts attributable to such Series A Preferred Units to the extent of any

 

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Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss that has not been reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts previously, consistent with the methodology of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines in its discretion to be reasonable) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.

 

(ii)                                  In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value.  In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution which is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed contribution and/or distribution occurring as a result of a termination of the Partnership pursuant to Section 708 of the Code, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

(iii)                               In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s), immediately after the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit into Common Units in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(vi), the Capital Account of each Partner and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property shall be adjusted to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately after such conversion and (A) first, all Unrealized Gain (if the Capital Account of each such Series A Conversion Unit is less than the Per Unit Capital Account for a then Outstanding Initial Common Unit) or Unrealized Loss (if the Capital Account of each such Series A Conversion Unit is greater than the Per Unit Capital Account for a then Outstanding Initial Common Unit) had been allocated Pro Rata to each Partner holding Series A Conversion Units received upon such conversion until the Capital Account of each such Series A Conversion Unit is equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Initial Common Unit; and (B) second, any remaining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been allocated to the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1(d).  In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately after the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit shall be determined by the General Partner using such

 

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reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time and must make such adjustments to such valuation as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2).  The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership in such manner as it determines in its discretion to be reasonable.  If, after making the allocations of Unrealized Gain and Unrealized Loss as set forth above in this Section 5.5(d)(iii), the Capital Account of each Partner with respect to each Series A Conversion Unit received upon such conversion of the Series A Preferred Unit is less than the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Initial Common Unit, then Capital Account balances shall be reallocated between the Partners holding Common Units (other than Series A Conversion Units) and Partners holding Series A Conversion Units so as to cause the Capital Account of each Partner holding a Series A Conversion Unit to equal, on a per Unit basis with respect to each such Series A Conversion Unit, the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Initial Common Unit.

 

Section 5.6                                    Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 5.6(d) below and subject to any approvals required by Section 5.14(b)(iv) and Section 5.15(c)(ii), the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole discretion, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

 

(b)                                 Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner in the exercise of its sole discretion, including (i) the right to share Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; and (vii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.

 

(c)                                  The General Partner is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions that it deems necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the admission of Additional Limited Partners and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities.  The General Partner is further authorized and

 

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directed to specify the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued.  The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things it deems to be necessary or advisable in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed for trading.

 

(d)                                 No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

 

Section 5.7                                    [Reserved]

 

Section 5.8                                    [Reserved]

 

Section 5.9                                    No Preemptive Right.

 

No Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created.

 

Section 5.10                             Splits and Combinations.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Sections 5.10(d) and 5.14(b)(vi)(E), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis or stated as a number of Units (including the number of additional Parity Units that may be issued pursuant to Section 5.6(d) without a Unitholder vote) are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.

 

(b)                                 Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not more than 10 days prior to the date of such notice.  The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination.  The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

 

(c)                                  Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures as it may deem appropriate to reflect such changes.  If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new

 

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Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, the surrender of any Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

 

(d)                                 The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.  If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.6(d) and this Section 5.10(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

 

Section 5.11                             Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.

 

All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 5.12                             [Reserved]

 

Section 5.13                             [Reserved]

 

Section 5.14                             Establishment of Series A Preferred Units.

 

(a)                                 General. The Partnership hereby designates and creates a series of Units to be designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Units” (such Series A Convertible Preferred Units, together with any Series A PIK Units, the “Series A Preferred Units”), having the same rights, preferences and privileges, and subject to the same duties and obligations, as the Common Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.14 and in Sections 5.5, 6.1 and 12.4. However, in the event of any conflict between the rights, preferences, privileges, duties and obligations of the Common Units as generally set forth in this Agreement and the provisions of this Section 5.14 and Sections 5.5, 6.1 and 12.4 that specifically set forth the rights, preferences, privileges, duties and obligations of the Series A Preferred Units, such specific provisions shall control.

 

(b)                                 Rights of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall have the following rights, preferences and privileges and the Series A Preferred Unitholders shall be subject to the following duties and obligations:

 

(i)                                     Distributions.

 

(A)                               Commencing with the Quarter ending on March 31, 2016, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units as of an applicable Record Date shall be entitled to receive cumulative distributions (each, a “Series A Quarterly Distribution”), prior to any other distributions made in respect of any other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3, in the amount set forth in this Section 5.14(b)(i)(A) in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit. With respect to any Quarter (or portion thereof for which a Series A Quarterly Distribution is due) ending on or prior to December 31, 2017 (the “Initial Distribution Period”), such Series A

 

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Quarterly Distribution may be paid, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, in Series A PIK Units, in cash, or in a combination of Series A PIK Units and cash. For any Quarter ending after the Initial Distribution Period, all Series A Quarterly Distributions shall be paid in cash. The Series A Distribution Amount for the Quarter ending March 31, 2016 shall be prorated for the period commencing on the Series A Issuance Date and ending on, and including, March 31, 2016. If during the Initial Distribution Period the General Partner elects to pay all or any portion of a Series A Quarterly Distribution in Series A PIK Units, the number of Series A PIK Units to be issued in connection with such Series A Quarterly Distribution shall equal the quotient of (A) the applicable Series A Distribution Amount (or portion thereof to be paid in Series A PIK Units) divided by (B) the Series A Issue Price; provided that instead of issuing any fractional Series A PIK Unit, the Partnership shall round the number of Series A PIK Units issued to each Series A Preferred Unitholder down to the nearest whole Series A PIK Unit and pay cash in lieu of any resulting fractional unit (with the amount of such cash payment being based on the value of such fractional Series A PIK Unit, which shall in turn be based on the value of a comparable fraction of the number of Series A Conversion Units into which such Series A PIK Unit would be convertible at the applicable Series A Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such Series A Quarterly Distribution). All such distributions shall be paid quarterly within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Quarter.  The Series A Quarterly Distribution on each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit shall be equal to the sum of (i) the Series A Distribution Amount, and (ii) any unpaid Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions. If the Partnership establishes a Record Date for any distribution to be made by the Partnership on other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3 in respect of any Quarter, then the Record Date established pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(i) for a Series A Quarterly Distribution in respect of such Quarter shall be the same Record Date. Unless otherwise expressly provided, references in this Agreement to Series A Preferred Units shall include all Series A PIK Units Outstanding as of any date of such determination.

 

(B)                               If the Partnership fails to pay in full the Series A Distribution Amount of any Series A Quarterly Distribution in cash or Series A PIK Units when due for any Quarter during the Initial Distribution Period, then the holders entitled to such unpaid Series A Quarterly Distribution shall be entitled to (I) receive such Series A Quarterly Distribution in Series A PIK Units, (II) receive Series A Quarterly Distributions in subsequent Quarters on such unpaid Series A PIK Units, (III) receive the liquidation preference in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(xiii) in respect of such unpaid Series A PIK Units, and (IV) all other rights under this Agreement as if such unpaid Series A PIK Units had in fact been distributed on the date due. If the Partnership fails to pay in full the Series A Distribution Amount of any Series A Quarterly

 

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Distribution in cash when due for any Quarter following the Initial Distribution Period, then from and after the first date of such failure and continuing until such failure is cured by payment in full in cash of all such arrearages, (y) the amount of such unpaid cash distributions (“Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions”) unless and until paid will accrue and accumulate from and including the first day of the Quarter immediately following the Quarter in respect of which such payment is due until paid in full and (z) the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall not, declare or make any distributions in respect of any Junior Interests (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the Quarter for which the Partnership first failed to pay in full the Series A Distribution Amount of any Series A Quarterly Distribution in cash when due).

 

(C)                               The aggregate Series A Distribution Amount (excluding any portion paid in kind) to be so distributed in respect of the Series A Preferred Units Outstanding as of the Record Date for a Series A Quarterly Distribution shall be paid out of Available Cash with respect to the applicable Quarter that is deemed to be Operating Surplus prior to making any distribution pursuant to Section 6.3. To the extent that any portion of a Series A Quarterly Distribution to be paid in cash with respect to any Quarter exceeds the amount of Available Cash for such Quarter, an amount of cash equal to the Available Cash for such Quarter will be paid to the Series A Preferred Unitholders Pro Rata and the balance of such Series A Quarterly Distribution shall be unpaid and shall constitute an arrearage and shall accrue and accumulate as set forth in Section 5.14(b)(i)(B).

 

(D)                               Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.14(b)(i) to the contrary, with respect to any Series A Preferred Unit that is converted into a Common Unit, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to a distribution in respect of such Series A Preferred Unit and a distribution in respect of such Common Unit with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the close of business on the applicable Record Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Series A Conversion Date occurs prior to the close of business on a Record Date for payment of a distribution on the Common Units, the applicable holder of Series A Preferred Units shall receive, with respect to any Series A Preferred Units that have converted into Common Units, only the distribution in respect of such Common Units with respect to such period.

 

(E)                                When any Series A PIK Units are payable to a Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to this Section 5.14, the Partnership shall issue the Series A PIK Units to such holder in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(i)(A) (the date of issuance of such Series A PIK Units, the “Series A PIK Payment Date”). On the Series A PIK Payment Date, the Partnership shall have the option to (i) issue to such Series A Preferred

 

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Unitholder a certificate or certificates for the number of Series A PIK Units to which such Series A Preferred Unitholder shall be entitled, or (ii) make a notation in book entry form in the books of the Partnership, and all such Series A PIK Units shall, when so issued, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien, claim, rights or encumbrances, other than those arising under the Delaware Act or this Agreement.

 

(F)                                 For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, if the Partnership issues one or more Series A PIK Units with respect to a Series A Preferred Unit, (i) the Partnership shall be treated as distributing cash with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit until the amount distributed with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit is equal to portion of the Series A Distribution Amount paid in Series A PIK Units, and (ii) the holder of such Series A Preferred Unit shall be treated as having contributed to the Partnership in exchange for such newly issued Series A PIK Units an amount of cash equal to the portion of the Series A Distribution Amount paid in Series A PIK Units less the amount of any cash distributed by the Partnership in lieu of fractional Series A PIK Units.

 

(ii)                                  Issuance of the Series A Preferred Units.  The Series A Preferred Units (other than the Series A PIK Units) shall be issued by the Partnership pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Series A Purchase Agreement.

 

(iii)                               Voting Rights.

 

(A)                               Except as provided in Section 5.14(b)(iii)(B) below, the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units shall have voting rights that are identical to the voting rights of the Common Units and shall vote with the Common Units as a single class, so that each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit will be entitled to one vote for each Common Unit into which such Series A Preferred Unit is then convertible at the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate (or, if the Series A Preferred Units are not then convertible, assuming that such Series A Preferred Units are convertible at the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate) on each matter with respect to which each Common Unit is entitled to vote. Each reference in this Agreement to a vote of Record Holders of Common Units shall be deemed to be a reference to the holders of Common Units and Series A Preferred Units on an “as if” converted basis, and the definition of “Unit Majority” shall correspondingly be construed to mean at least a majority of the Common Units and the Series A Preferred Units, on an “as if” converted basis, voting together as a single class during any period in which any Series A Preferred Units are Outstanding.

 

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(B)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition to all other requirements imposed by Delaware law, and all other voting rights granted under this Agreement, the affirmative vote of the Record Holders of the Series A Required Voting Percentage, shall be required for any amendment (excluding any amendment of a ministerial or administrative nature) to this Agreement or the Certificate of Limited Partnership (including by merger or otherwise) that is adverse to any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A Preferred Units. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, any action shall be deemed to adversely affect the holders of the Series A Preferred Units if such action would:

 

(1)                                 reduce the Series A Distribution Amount, change the form of payment of distributions on the Series A Preferred Units (other than as contemplated herein), defer the date from which distributions on the Series A Preferred Units will accrue, cancel accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units or any interest accrued thereon (including any accrued Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions or Series A PIK Units), or change the seniority rights of the Series A Preferred Unitholders as to the payment of distributions in relation to the Unitholders of any other class or series of Units;

 

(2)                                 reduce the amount payable or change the form of payment to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets, of the Partnership, or change the seniority of the liquidation preferences of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units in relation to the rights upon liquidation of the holders of any other class or series of Units; or

 

(3)                                 make the Series A Preferred Units redeemable or convertible at the option of the Partnership other than as set forth herein.

 

(C)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.14(b)(iii), except as contemplated by Section 5.14(b)(iii)(A), in no event shall the consent of the Series A Preferred Unitholders, as a separate class, be required in connection with any Partnership Restructuring Event.  For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit the voting rights of any Series A Preferred Unitholder in connection with the vote of holders of Common Units and Series A Preferred Units together as a single class.

 

(D)                               Upon the occurrence of a Series A Trigger Event, the General Partner shall notify the Series A Preferred Unitholders of the occurrence thereof, whereupon the Series A Preferred Unitholders, acting as a group and by majority vote of the Outstanding Series A Preferred

 

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Units, shall have the right, exercisable by the delivery of written notice delivered to the General Partner no later than 15 Business Days’ following the date of the General Partner’s notice to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, to appoint one representative to the Board of Directors in accordance with the PAGP GP LLC Agreement subject to the limitations and procedures set forth in the PAGP GP LLC Agreement; provided, upon payment of all Series A Unpaid Cash Distributions, any such representative shall tender his resignation from the Board of Directors immediately upon the request of the Board of Directors and the appointment right contemplated by this Section 5.14(b)(iii)(D) shall cease unless and until a subsequent Series A Trigger Event occurs.

 

(E)                                Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition to all other voting rights granted under this Agreement, the Partnership shall not declare or pay any distribution from Capital Surplus without the affirmative vote of the Record Holders of the Series A Required Voting Percentage.

 

(iv)                              No Series A Senior Securities; Series A Parity Securities. Other than issuances contemplated by the Series A Purchase Agreement, the Partnership shall not, without the affirmative vote of the Series A Required Voting Percentage, issue any (A) Series A Senior Securities (or amend the provisions of any class of Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities a class of Series A Senior Securities) or (B) Series A Parity Securities (or amend the provisions of any class of Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities a class of Series A Parity Securities); provided that, without the consent of the holders of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, the Partnership may issue (1) up to an aggregate $500,000,000 of non-convertible Series A Parity Securities, (2) so long as the aggregate value of the Outstanding Common Units (based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading on the trading day immediately preceding such date of issuance) is at least $10,000,000,000, a number of Series A Parity Securities such that, as of the date of the issuance of the Series A Parity Securities, the aggregate number of Series A Parity Securities, together with the Series A Preferred Units, in each case on an “as if” converted basis (or, if the Series A Parity Securities are not convertible, assuming that such Series A Parity Securities are convertible into a number of Common Units equal to the quotient of (i) the aggregate purchase price for such Series A Parity Securities, divided by (ii) the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units for the thirty (30) Trading Day period ending immediately prior to such issuance (such Common Units, the “Series A Parity Equivalent Units”)), equals no more than 15% of all Outstanding Common Units (including as Outstanding for such purposes, (i) any Common Units issuable in respect of the Series A Preferred Units at the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate (or, if the Series A Preferred Units are not then convertible, assuming that such Series A Preferred Units are convertible at the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate), (ii) any Common Units issuable in respect of Series A Parity

 

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Securities at the initial or then applicable conversion rate, as applicable, and (iii) any Series A Parity Equivalent Units), or (3) if a number of Series A Preferred Units having an aggregate Series A Issue Price of less than $500,000,000 is then Outstanding, such number of Series A Parity Securities as determined by the General Partner; provided, further, that the Partnership may, without the affirmative vote of the holders of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, issue the Series A PIK Units contemplated by this Agreement and create (by reclassification or otherwise) and issue Junior Interests in an unlimited amount.

 

(v)                                 Certificates.

 

(A)                               If requested by a Series A Preferred Unitholder, the Series A Preferred Units shall be evidenced by certificates in such form as the Board of Directors may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the assignment and transfer of other Units; unless and until the Board of Directors determines to assign the responsibility to another Person, the General Partner will act as the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Units. Any certificates evidencing Series A Preferred Units shall be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as any certificates evidencing Common Units.

 

(B)                               Any certificate(s) representing the Series A Preferred Units may be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“NEITHER THE OFFER NOR SALE OF THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER AND, IN THE CASE OF A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT OR THE PARTNERSHIP HAS RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSACTION DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT. THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2016, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PARTNERSHIP AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.”

 

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(vi)                              Conversion.

 

(A)                               At the Option of the Series A Preferred Unitholders.  Beginning with the earlier of (i) the Business Day immediately following the Record Date with respect to the Quarter ending on the last day of the Initial Distribution Period, (ii) the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, and (iii) immediately prior to the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Partnership under Section 12.4, the Series A Preferred Units owned by any Series A Preferred Unitholder shall be convertible, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time upon the request of such Series A Preferred Unitholder, but not more than once per Quarter, into a number of Common Units determined by multiplying the number of Series A Preferred Units to be converted by the Series A Conversion Rate; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be obligated to honor any such conversion request if such conversion request does not involve an underlying value of Common Units of at least $100,000,000 based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the trading day immediately preceding the Series A Conversion Notice Date on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading (or such lesser amount to the extent such partial exercise covers all of such Series A Preferred Unitholder’s Series A Preferred Units). Immediately upon the effectiveness of any conversion of Series A Preferred Units, all rights of the Series A Converting Unitholder in respect thereof shall cease, including, without limitation, any further accrual of distributions, and such Series A Converting Unitholder thereafter shall be treated for all purposes as the owner of Common Units. Fractional Common Units shall not be issued to any person pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(vi)(A) (each fractional Common Unit shall be rounded down with the remainder being paid an amount in cash based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading on the trading day immediately preceding such date of conversion).

 

(B)                               At the Option of the Partnership.  At any time following the third anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, the Partnership, in the General Partner’s sole discretion, shall have the option at any time, but not more than once per Quarter, to convert all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Units then Outstanding into a number of Common Units determined by multiplying the number of Series A Preferred Units to be converted by the Series A Conversion Rate. Fractional Common Units shall not be issued to any person pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B) (each fractional Common Unit shall be rounded down with the remainder being paid an amount in cash based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading on the trading day immediately preceding such date of conversion). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order for the Partnership to exercise such option,

 

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(1)                                 the closing trading price of the Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading must be greater than one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Series A Issue Price for the twenty (20) Trading Day period immediately preceding the date the Partnership furnishes the Series A Forced Conversion Notice,

 

(2)                                 the average daily trading volume of the Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading must have exceeded 1,000,000 (as such amount may be adjusted to reflect any Unit split, combination or similar event) for the twenty (20) Trading Day period immediately preceding the date the Partnership furnishes the Series A Forced Conversion Notice;

 

(3)                                 the Partnership must have an effective registration statement on file with the Commission covering resales of the underlying Common Units to be received upon any such conversion, and

 

(4)                                 no Series A Trigger Event shall have occurred that is continuing;

 

provided, in each case, that each such conversion by the Partnership shall be for an aggregate amount of Series A Preferred Units (including any Outstanding Series A PIK Units) involving an underlying value of Common Units of at least $500,000,000 based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the trading day immediately preceding the date of such conversion on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading (or such lesser amount if such amount includes all then Outstanding Series A Preferred Units) and shall be allocated among the Series A Preferred Unitholders on a Pro Rata basis or on such other basis as may be agreed upon by the Series A Preferred Unitholders.

 

(C)

 

(1)                                 Conversion Notice. To convert Series A Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(A), the Series A Converting Unitholder shall give written notice (a “Series A Conversion Notice”) to the Partnership stating that such Series A Unitholder elects to so convert Series A Preferred Units and shall state or include therein with respect to Series A Preferred Units to be converted pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(A) the following: (a) the number of Series A Preferred Units to be converted, and (b) if a Certificate has been issued for such Series A Preferred Units, the Certificate(s) evidencing the Series A Preferred Units to be converted and duly endorsed. The date any Series A Conversion Notice is received by the Partnership shall be hereinafter be referred to as a “Series A Conversion Notice Date.”

 

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(2)                                 To convert Series A Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B), the Partnership shall give written notice (a “Series A Forced Conversion Notice,” and the date such notice is received, a “Series A Forced Conversion Notice Date”) to each holder of Series A Preferred Units stating that the Partnership elects to force conversion of such Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B). The Series A Conversion Units shall be issued in the name of the Record Holder of such Series A Preferred Units.

 

(D)                               Timing; Certificates. If a Series A Conversion Notice is delivered by a Series A Unitholder to the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C) or a Series A Forced Conversion Notice is delivered by the Partnership to a Series A Unitholder pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(C), the Partnership shall issue the Series A Conversion Units no later than seven (7) days after the Series A Conversion Notice Date or the Series A Forced Conversion Notice Date, as the case may be, occurs (any date of issuance of such Common Units, a “Series A Conversion Date”). On the Series A Conversion Date, the Partnership shall issue to such Series A Unitholder (or designated recipient(s)) a Certificate or Certificates for the number of Series A Conversion Units to which such holder shall be entitled. In lieu of delivering physical Certificates representing the Series A Conversion Units issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Units, provided the Transfer Agent is participating in the Depositary’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, upon request of the Series A Unitholder, the Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Transfer Agent to electronically transmit the Series A Conversion Units issuable upon conversion or distribution payment to such Series A Unitholder (or designated recipient(s)), by crediting the account of the Series A Unitholder (or designated recipient(s)) prime broker with the Depositary through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system. The parties agree to coordinate with the Depositary to accomplish this objective. Upon issuance of Series A Conversion Units to the Series A Converting Unitholder, all rights under the converted Series A Preferred Units shall cease, and such Series A Converting Unitholder shall be treated for all purposes as the Record Holder of such Series A Conversion Units.

 

(E)                                Distributions, Combinations, Subdivisions and Reclassifications by the Partnership. If, after the Series A Issuance Date, the Partnership (i) makes a distribution on its Common Units payable in Common Units or another Partnership Interest, (ii) subdivides or splits its outstanding Common Units into a greater number of Common Units, (iii) combines or reclassifies its Common Units into a smaller number of Common Units or (iv) issues by reclassification of its Common Units any Partnership Interests (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is

 

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the surviving Person), in each case other than in connection with a Series A Change of Control (which shall be governed by Section 5.14(b)(vii)), then the Series A Conversion Rate in effect at the time of the Record Date for such distribution or the effective date of such subdivision, split, combination, or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units after such time shall entitle each Series A Unitholder to receive the aggregate number of Common Units (or any Partnership Interests into which such Common Units would have been combined, consolidated, merged or reclassified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) above) that such Series A Unitholder would have been entitled to receive if the Series A Preferred Units had been converted into Common Units immediately prior to such Record Date or effective date, as the case may be, and in the case of a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person, the Partnership shall provide effective provisions to ensure that the provisions in this Section 5.14 relating to the Series A Preferred Units shall not be abridged or amended and that the Series A Preferred Units shall thereafter retain the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, that the Series A Preferred Units had immediately prior to such transaction or event. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(vi)(E) shall become effective immediately after the Record Date in the case of a distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, reclassification (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Partnership is the surviving Person) or split. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event described above shall occur.

 

(F)                                 No Adjustments for Certain Items.  Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Section 5.14(b)(vi), no adjustment shall be made to the Series A Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(E) as a result of any of the following:

 

(1)                                 the issuance of additional Partnership Securities issued in connection with distributions paid in-kind;

 

(2)                                 the grant of Common Units or options, warrants or rights to purchase or receive Common Units or the issuance of Common Units upon the exercise or vesting of any such options, warrants or rights to employees, officers or directors of Plains All American GP LLC, PAGP GP or the Partnership and its Subsidiaries in respect of services provided to or for the benefit of the Partnership or its Subsidiaries, under compensation plans and agreements approved in good faith by the General Partner (including any long term incentive plan); or

 

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(3)                                 the issuance of any Common Units as all or part of the consideration to effect (i) the closing of any acquisition by the Partnership of assets or equity interests of a third party in an arm’s-length transaction or (ii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Partnership with another entity in which the Partnership survives and the Common Units remain Outstanding to the extent any such transaction set forth in clause (i) or (ii) above is validly approved by the vote or consent of the General Partner.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, whenever the issuance of a Partnership Interest or other event would require an adjustment to the Series A Conversion Rate under one or more provisions of this Agreement, only one adjustment shall be made to the Series A Conversion Rate in respect of such issuance or event.

 

(vii)                           Series A Change of Control.

 

(A)                               Subject to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B), in the event of a Series A Cash COC Event, the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units shall be automatically converted, without requirement of any action of the Series A Preferred Unitholders, into Common Units immediately prior to the closing of the Series A Cash COC Event at a conversion ratio equal to the greater of (1) the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate (or, if the Series A Preferred Units are not then convertible, assuming that such Series A Preferred Units are convertible at the then applicable Series A Conversion Rate) and (2) the quotient of (i) the product of (a) the Series A Issue Price together with accrued but unpaid distributions on the Series A Preferred Units, multiplied by (b) the Series A Cash COC Conversion Premium, divided by (ii) the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days ending immediately prior to the date of execution and public announcement of the Series A Cash COC Event; provided, that the ratio contemplated by clause (2) above shall not exceed a ratio resulting in a value per Series A Preferred Unit (based on the consideration payable to holders of Common Units in such Series A Cash COC Event) equal to (i) 120% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring on or prior to the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, (ii) 130% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring after the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, and (iii) 140% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring after the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date.

 

(B)                               Promptly upon entry into definitive agreements that provide for a Series A Change of Control (other than a Series A Cash COC Event), if the Partnership has not issued a press release or other

 

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widely-disseminated public statement regarding the entry into such definitive agreements, the Partnership shall provide written notice thereof to the Series A Unitholders.  Subject to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B), if a Series A Change of Control (other than a Series A Cash COC Event) occurs, then each Series A Preferred Unitholder, with respect to all but not less than all of its Series A Preferred Units, by notice given to the Partnership within ten (10) Business Days of the date the Partnership provides written notice of the execution of definitive agreements that provide for a Series A Change of Control, shall be entitled to elect one of the following (with the understanding that any Series A Preferred Unitholder who fails to timely provide notice of its election to the Partnership shall be deemed to have elected the option set forth in sub-clause (1) below):

 

(1)                                 convert all, but not less than all, Outstanding Series A Preferred Units into Common Units, at the then-applicable Series A Conversion Rate, subject to payment of any accrued but unpaid distributions to the date of conversion, in accordance with Section 5.14(b)(vi);

 

(2)                                 if the Partnership will not be the surviving entity of such Series A Change of Control or the Partnership will be the surviving entity but its Common Units will cease to be listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, require the Partnership to use its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver or to cause to be delivered to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, in exchange for their Series A Preferred Units upon such Series A Change of Control, a security in the surviving entity that has substantially similar rights, preferences and privileges as the Series A Preferred Units, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the right to distributions equal in amount and timing to those provided in Section 5.14(b)(i) and a conversion rate proportionately adjusted such that the conversion of such security in the surviving entity immediately following the Series A Change of Control would entitle the holder to the number of common securities of such surviving entity (together with a number of common securities of equivalent value to any other assets received by Common Unitholders in such Series A Change of Control) which, if a Series A Preferred Unit had been converted into Common Units immediately prior to such Series A Change of Control, such holder would have been entitled to receive immediately following such Series A Change of Control (such security in the surviving entity, a “Substantially Equivalent Unit”); providedhowever, that, if the Partnership is unable to deliver or cause to be delivered Substantially Equivalent Units to any Series A Preferred Unitholder in connection with such Series A Change of Control, each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall be entitled to either (A) require redemption of such Series A Preferred Units in the manner

 

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contemplated by sub-clause (4) of this Section 5.14(b)(vii)(B) or (B) convert the Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Preferred Unitholder immediately prior to such Series A Change of Control into a number of Common Units at a conversion ratio equal to the quotient of:

 

a.                                      the product of (i) 160% multiplied by (ii) the Series A Issue Price, less the Series A Unitholder’s Pro Rata portion of the sum of (A) all cash distributions paid on all Series A Preferred Units on or prior to the date of the Series A Change of Control, and (B) an amount in cash equal to the aggregate of the Series A Quarterly Distribution Amounts paid in Series A PIK Units (based on the value of such Series A PIK Units on the applicable Series A PIK Payment Date) on or before the date of the Series A Change of Control, divided by

 

b.                                      an amount equal to 95% of the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units for the thirty (30) Trading Day period prior to the closing of the Series A Change of Control; provided, that such ratio shall be capped at a value per Series A Preferred Unit equal to (i) 120% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring on or prior to the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, (ii) 130% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring after the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, and (iii) 140% of the Series A Issue Price in the case of a Series A Change of Control occurring after the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date.

 

(3)                                 if the Partnership is the surviving entity of such Series A Change of Control, continue to hold Series A Preferred Units; or

 

(4)                                 require the Partnership to redeem the Series A Preferred Units at a price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to 101% of the Series A Issue Price plus accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of such redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this sub-clause (4) shall, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be paid in cash and/or Common Units. If all or any portion of such redemption is to be paid in Common Units, the Common Units to be issued shall be valued at 95% of the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units for the thirty (30)

 

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Trading Day period ending on the fifth Trading Day immediately prior to the Series A Change of Control.  No later than three Trading Days prior to the consummation of the related Series A Change of Control, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holders of the Series A Preferred Units stating the date on which the Series A Preferred Units will be redeemed and the Partnership’s computation of the amount of cash or Common Units to be received by the holder upon redemption of such Series A Preferred Units.  No later than 10 Business Days following the consummation of such Series A Change of Control, the Partnership shall remit the applicable cash or Common Unit consideration to the holders of then Outstanding Series A Preferred Units. The holders shall deliver to the Partnership any certificates representing the Series A Preferred Units as soon as practicable following the redemption. Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall retain all of the rights and privileges thereof unless and until the consideration due to them as a result of such redemption shall be paid in full in cash or Common Units, as applicable.

 

(viii)                        Series A Preferred Unit Transfer Restrictions.

 

(A)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.14(b)(viii), each Series A Purchaser shall be permitted to transfer any Series A Preferred Units owned by such Series A Purchaser to any of its Affiliates or to any other Series A Purchaser.

 

(B)                               Without the prior written consent of the Partnership, except as specifically provided in this Agreement, each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall not, (a) during the period commencing on the Series A Issuance Date and ending on the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, offer, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of its Series A Preferred Units, (b) during the period commencing on the Series A Issuance Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, directly or indirectly engage in any short sales or other derivative or hedging transactions with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, (c) transfer any Series A Preferred Units to any non-U.S. resident individual, non-U.S. corporation or partnership, or any other non-U.S. entity, including any foreign governmental entity, including by means of any swap or other transaction or arrangement that transfers or that is designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to, result in the transfer to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Series A Preferred Units, regardless of whether any transaction described in clauses (a) through (c) above is to be settled by delivery of Series A Preferred Units, Common Units or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (d) effect any transfer of Series A Preferred Units or

 

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Series A Conversion Units in a manner that violates the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that such Series A Preferred Unitholder may pledge all or any portion of its Series A Preferred Units to any holders of obligations owed by the Series A Preferred Unitholders, including to the trustee for, or representative of, such holders; provided further, that such Series A Preferred Unitholder may transfer any of the Series A Preferred Units purchased hereunder to an Affiliate of such Series A Preferred Unitholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transferee receiving any Series A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 5.14(b)(viii)(B) shall agree to the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.14(b)(viii)(B).

 

(C)                               Following the first anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, the Series A Purchasers or their permitted transferees may freely transfer Series A Preferred Units involving an underlying value of Common Units of at least $50,000,000 based on the closing trading price of Common Units on the date immediately preceding the date of such transfer on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or trading (or such lesser amount if it (i) constitutes the remaining holdings of such Series A Preferred Unitholder or (ii) has been approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion), subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and this Agreement.

 

(ix)                              Series A Distribution Amount Reset; Redemption.

 

(A)                               For a period of thirty (30) days following (1) the fifth anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date and (2) each subsequent anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, the Series A Preferred Unitholders, acting by a vote of a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, may make a one-time election to reset the Series A Distribution Amount to an amount equal to the Series A Reset Amount.

 

(B)                               If the Series A Preferred Unitholders elect to reset the Series A Distribution Amount pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(ix)(A), then, at any time following thirty (30) days after the sixth anniversary of the Series A Issuance Date, the Partnership may, at its option, by delivering written notice to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, redeem all or any portion of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units in exchange for cash, Common Units (valued at 95% of the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units for the thirty (30) Trading Day period ending on the fifth Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such redemption) or a combination thereof at a redemption price equal to 110% of the Series A Issue Price, plus any accrued and unpaid distributions; provided, however, the Partnership must have an effective registration statement on file with the Commission covering resales of the underlying Common Units to be received upon any such redemption; provided, further, any such redemption by the Partnership shall (1) cover an aggregate amount of

 

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Series A Preferred Units (including any Outstanding Series A PIK Units) with an underlying value of Common Units of at least $500,000,000 based on the closing price of Common Units on the trading day immediately preceding the date of such notice on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are then listed or admitted to trading (or such lesser amount if such amount includes all then Outstanding Series A Preferred Units) and (2) be allocated among the Series A Preferred Unitholders on a Pro Rata basis or on such other basis as may be agreed upon by the Series A Preferred Unitholders.  The Partnership shall have the option to exercise such redemption right no more than two times in respect of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units. Such written notice shall state the date on which the Series A Preferred Units will be redeemed (such date not to be more than thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice) and the Partnership’s computation of the amount of cash or Common Units to be received by the holder upon redemption of such Series A Preferred Units. Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall retain all of the rights and privileges thereof unless and until the consideration due to them as a result of such redemption shall be paid in full in cash or Common Units, as applicable.

 

(x)                                 Fully Paid and Nonassessable. Any Series A Conversion Unit(s) delivered pursuant to this Section 5.14 shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act), free and clear of any liens, claims, rights or encumbrances other than those arising under the Delaware Act or this Agreement or created by the holders thereof.

 

(xi)                              Partnership Restructuring Event.  Subject to Section 5.14(b)(vi)(B), if (A) a Partnership Restructuring Event occurs or the Partnership engages in any other recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, merger, spin-off or other business combination (other than a Series A Change of Control) and (B) (1) the Partnership will not be the surviving entity of such Partnership Restructuring Event or other event or (2) the Partnership will be the surviving entity but its Common Units will cease to be listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, the Partnership shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, in exchange for their Series A Preferred Units upon consummation of such Partnership Restructuring Event or other event, a security in the surviving entity that has substantially similar rights, preferences and privileges as the Series A Preferred Units, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the right to distributions equal in amount and timing to those provided in Section 5.14(b)(i) and a conversion rate proportionately adjusted such that the conversion of such security in the surviving entity immediately following the Partnership Restructuring Event or such other event would entitle the holder to the number of common securities of such surviving entity (together with a number of common securities of equivalent value to any other assets received by Common Unitholders in such Partnership Restructuring Event or such other event) which, if a Series A Preferred Unit had been converted into Common Units immediately

 

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prior to such Partnership Restructuring Event or such other event, such holder would have been entitled to receive immediately following such Partnership Restructuring Event or such other event.

 

(xii)                           Notices. For the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership shall distribute to the holders of Series A Preferred Units copies of all notices, materials, annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, information statements and any other documents distributed generally to the holders of Common Units of the Partnership, at such times and by such method as such documents are distributed to such holders of such Common Units.

 

(xiii)                        Liquidation Value. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Partnership under Section 12.4 or a sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, either voluntary or involuntary, the Record Holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to the Partners or any Assignees, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership to the Record Holders of any other class or series of Partnership Interests (other than Series A Parity Securities, the Record Holders of which shall have a pari passu entitlement), the positive value in each such holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units, after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments for the relevant taxable periods, including without limitation those provided for under Section 6.1(d)(x)(C).

 

Section 5.15                             Establishment of Series B Preferred Units.

 

(a)                                 General.  The Partnership hereby designates and creates a series of Units to be designated as “6.125% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units,” having the preferences, rights, powers, and duties set forth herein, including in this Section 5.15.  The Series B Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and, except as set forth in Section 5.15(c)(iii), shall not give rise to a claim by the Partnership or a Series B Preferred Unitholder for redemption or the conversion thereof, as applicable, at a particular date.

 

(b)                                 Certificates.  The Series B Preferred Units shall be represented by one or more global Certificates registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, and no Series B Preferred Unitholder shall be entitled to receive a definitive Certificate evidencing its Series B Preferred Units, unless otherwise required by law or the Depositary gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such with respect to the Series B Preferred Units and the Partnership shall have not selected a substitute Depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter. So long as the Depositary shall have been appointed and is serving with respect to the Series B Preferred Units, payments and communications made by the Partnership to Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Depositary.

 

(c)                                  Rights of Series B Preferred Units.  The Series B Preferred Units shall have the following rights, preferences and privileges and the Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be subject to the following duties and obligations:

 

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(i)                                     Distributions.

 

(A)                               Distributions on each Outstanding Series B Preferred Unit shall be cumulative and shall accumulate at the applicable Series B Distribution Rate from and including the Series B Original Issue Date (or, for any subsequently issued and newly Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, from and including the Series B Distribution Payment Date immediately preceding the issue date of such Series B Preferred Units) until such time as the Partnership pays the Series B Distribution or redeems such Series B Preferred Unit in accordance with Section 5.15(c)(iii), whether or not such Series B Distributions shall have been declared.  Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be entitled to receive Series B Distributions from time to time out of any assets of the Partnership legally available for the payment of distributions at the Series B Distribution Rate per Series B Preferred Unit when, as, and, if declared by the General Partner, prior to any other distributions made in respect of any other Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 6.3. Series B Distributions during the Series B Fixed Rate Period shall be paid on a semi-annual basis on May 15th and November 15th of each year, and Series B Distributions during the Series B Floating Rate Period shall be paid on a quarterly basis on February 15th, May 15th, August 15th and November 15th of each year (each date, a “Series B Distribution Payment Date”).  If any Series B Distribution Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series B Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional distributions.  During the Series B Fixed Rate Period, the total amount of a Series B Distribution shall be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30 day months. During the Series B Floating Rate Period, Series B Distributions shall be computed by multiplying the Series B Distribution Rate by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the actual number of days elapsed during that Series B Distribution Period, and the denominator of which will be 360, and by multiplying the result by the aggregate Series B Liquidation Preference of all Outstanding Series B Preferred Units.  All Series B Distributions payable by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 5.15(c)(i)(A) shall be payable without regard to income of the Partnership and shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as guaranteed payments for the use of capital under Section 707(c) of the Code.

 

(B)                               Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series B Distribution Payment Date, the Partnership shall pay those Series B Distributions, if any, that shall have been declared by the General Partner to Series B Preferred Unitholders on the Series B Record Date for the applicable Series B Distribution. The “Series B Record Date” for the payment of any Series B Distributions shall be as of the close of business on the first Business Day of the month of the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date. So long as the Series B Preferred Units are

 

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held of record by the Depositary or its nominee, declared Series B Distributions shall be paid to the Depositary in same-day funds on each Series B Distribution Payment Date or other distribution payment date in the case of payments for Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions.

 

(C)                               If the Partnership fails to pay in full a Series B Distribution on any Series B Distribution Payment Date, then from and after the first date of such failure and continuing until such failure is cured by payment in full in cash of all such arrearages, (1) the amount of such unpaid cash distributions unless and until paid will accumulate and accrue at the Series B Distribution Rate from and including the first day of the Series B Distribution Period immediately following the Series B Distribution Period in respect of which such payment is due until paid in full (such unpaid and accrued distributions, the “Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions”) and (2) the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall not, declare or make or set aside for payment any distributions in respect of any Junior Interests (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any distributions to Junior Interests during the Series B Distribution Period for which the Partnership first failed to pay in full the Series B Distribution in cash when due), other than a distribution payable in kind solely in Junior Interests.  Payments in respect of Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions may be declared by the General Partner and paid on any date selected by the General Partner, whether or not a Series B Distribution Payment Date, to Series B Preferred Unitholders on the Record Date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such payment date.

 

(D)                               The General Partner may not declare, make and set aside for payment (1) full Series B Distributions or full distributions with respect to any Series B Parity Securities (other than Series A PIK Units) or (2) any distributions with respect to Junior Interests, in each case, in respect of any distribution period unless, at the time of the declaration of such distribution, (x) all Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions and any accumulated and unpaid distributions on any Series B Parity Securities have been paid or funds have been set aside for payment thereof, and (y) at the time of declaration of the applicable distribution, the General Partner expects to have sufficient Available Cash to pay  the next Series B Distribution and the next distribution in respect of any Series B Parity Securities in full, regardless of the relative timing of such distributions.  If the  General Partner expects to have insufficient Available Cash to pay the next Series B Distribution in full at the time of declaration of a Series B Distribution or Series B Parity Security distribution, it will adjust the amount of such distributions so that the Series B Preferred Units and Series B Parity Securities are paid on a pari passu basis on their respective payment dates.

 

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(E)                                Each Series B Distribution shall be paid out of Available Cash with respect to the Quarter immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date that is deemed to be Operating Surplus prior to making any distribution pursuant to Section 6.3. To the extent that any portion of the aggregate of a Series B Distribution and distributions to any Series B Parity Securities to be paid in cash with respect to any Series B Distribution Period exceeds the amount of Available Cash for such Quarter, an amount of cash equal to the Available Cash for such Quarter will be paid to the Series B Preferred Unitholders and Series B Parity Securities in proportion to the distribution amounts payable in respect of the Series B Preferred Units and Series B Parity Securities (including the Series A Preferred Units), and (1) the balance of the Series B Distribution shall be unpaid and shall constitute a Series B Unpaid Cash Distribution and shall accrue and accumulate as set forth in Section 5.15(c)(i)(C), (2) the balance of the Series A Distribution shall be unpaid and shall constitute an arrearage and shall accrue and accumulate as set forth in Section 5.14(b)(i)(B).

 

(F)                                 The “Series B Three-Month LIBOR” for each Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period shall be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the applicable LIBOR Determination Date, in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(1)                                 expressed as a percentage per year for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such Series B Distribution Period that appears on Reuters Page LIBOR01 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the LIBOR Determination Date; or

 

(2)                                 if the Calculation Agent determines that no such rate is so published, the Calculation Agent may determine whether to use a substitute or successor rate to the rate that it has determined, in its sole discretion, is most comparable to the rate described in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(1); provided, that if the Calculation Agent determines there is a base rate that is commonly used by banking institutions and other financial services industry participants as a successor rate to the rate set forth in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(1), the Calculation Agent shall use such successor base rate. If the Calculation Agent has identified a successor or substitute rate in accordance with the preceding sentence, it may, in its sole discretion, modify the LIBOR Determination Date and other terms contained in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(1) in a manner that is consistent with the financial services industry’s use of such substitute or successor base rate.

 

(3)                                 If the Calculation Agent does not identify a successor or substitute rate in accordance with Section

 

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5.15(c)(i)(F)(2), the Series B Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on the LIBOR Determination Date, at which deposits of the following kind are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in that market selected by the Calculation Agent: three-month deposits in U.S. dollars, beginning on the first day of the Series B Distribution Period, and in an amount that in the Calculation Agent’s judgment, is representative of a single transaction in the relevant market at the relevant time (a “Representative Amount”).

 

(4)                                 If fewer than two quotations are provided pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(3), the Series B Three-Month LIBOR for such Series B Distribution Period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time on the LIBOR Determination Date, by major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such Series B Distribution Period in a Representative Amount.

 

(5)                                 If no quotation is provided as described above in Section 5.15(c)(i)(F)(1), (2), (3), or (4), the Calculation Agent, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing quotations or display page, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate the Series B Three-Month LIBOR, shall determine in its sole discretion the Series B Three-Month LIBOR as of the second London Business Day immediately preceding the first day of the Series B Distribution Period.

 

(6)                                 The Calculation Agent’s determination of the Series B Three-Month LIBOR and its calculation of the amount of interest for any interest period will each be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

 

(G)                               For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units shall be deemed Series B Parity Securities.

 

(ii)                                  Voting Rights.

 

(A)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Series B Preferred Units shall not have any voting rights except as set forth in Section 13.3(c), this Section 5.15(c)(ii) or as otherwise required by the Delaware Act.

 

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(B)                               Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the powers, preferences, duties or special rights of the Series B Preferred Units; provided, however, that no amendment of this Agreement (1) subject to Section 5.15(c)(ii)(C), relating to the issuance of additional Partnership Securities shall not be deemed to constitute such a material adverse effect for purposes of this Section 5.15(c)(ii)(B) and (2) for purposes of this Section 5.15(c)(ii)(B), in connection with a merger or other transaction in which the Partnership is the surviving entity and the Series B Preferred Units remain Outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be deemed to materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, duties or special rights of the Series B Preferred Units.

 

(C)                               Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units voting as a class together with holders of any other Series B Parity Securities issued after the Series B Original Issue Date upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the Partnership shall not (x) create or issue any Series B Parity Securities (including any additional Series B Preferred Units, but excluding any Series A PIK Units) if there are any Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions outstanding, (y) create or issue any Series B Senior Securities or (z) declare or pay any distribution to Holders of Common Units from Capital Surplus.

 

(D)                               For any matter described in this Section 5.15(c)(ii) in which the Series B Preferred Unitholders are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Series B Parity Securities), such Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be entitled to one vote per Series B Preferred Unit. Any Series B Preferred Units held by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or their controlled Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote.

 

(E)                                Notwithstanding Section 5.15(c)(ii)(B) and Section 5.15(c)(ii)(C), no vote of the Series B Preferred Unitholders shall be required if, at or prior to the time when such action is to take effect, provision is made for the redemption of all Series B Preferred Units at the time Outstanding.

 

(iii)                               Redemption Rights.

 

(A)                               The Partnership shall have the right (1) at any time, and from time to time, on or after November 15, 2022 or (2) at any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by the Partnership following the occurrence of a Series B Rating Event, in

 

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each case, to redeem the Series B Preferred Units, which redemption may be in whole or in part (except with respect to a redemption pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 5.15(c)(iii)(A) which shall be in whole but not in part), using any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the “Series B Redemption Date”).

 

(B)                               The Partnership shall effect any redemption pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(iii)(A) by paying cash for each Series B Preferred Unit to be redeemed equal to (1) with respect to a redemption pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(iii)(A)(1), 100% of the Series B Liquidation Preference and (2) with respect to a redemption pursuant to Section 5.15(c)(iii)(A)(2), 102% of the Series B Liquidation Preference, in each case, for such Series B Preferred Unit on such Series B Redemption Date, plus any Series B Unpaid Cash Distributions from the Series B Original Issue Date to, but not including, the Series B Redemption Date, whether or not such distributions shall have been declared (as applicable, the “Series B Redemption Price”).

 

(C)                               The Partnership shall give notice of any redemption by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled Series B Redemption Date to the Series B Preferred Unitholders (as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of any Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed as such Series B Preferred Unitholders’ names appear on the books of the Transfer Agent and at the address of such Series B Preferred Unitholders shown therein. Such notice (the “Series B Redemption Notice”) shall state, as applicable: (1) the Series B Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all Outstanding Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from such Series B Preferred Unitholder, (3) the Series B Redemption Price, (4) the place where any Series B Preferred Units in certificated form are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the Series B Redemption Price therefor and (5) that distributions on the Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Series B Redemption Date.

 

(D)                               If the Partnership elects to redeem less than all of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, the number of Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall be determined by the General Partner, and such Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed by such method of selection as the Depositary shall determine, either Pro Rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional Series B Preferred Units. The aggregate Series B Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units shall be allocated correspondingly among the redeemed Series B Preferred Units.

 

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(E)                                If the Partnership gives or causes to be given a Series B Redemption Notice, the Partnership shall deposit with the Series B Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series B Preferred Units as to which such Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, no later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Series B Redemption Date, and shall give the Series B Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Series B Redemption Price to the Series B Preferred Unitholders whose Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series B Preferred Units is issued in the name of the Depositary or its nominee) of the Certificates therefor as set forth in the Series B Redemption Notice. If the Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Series B Redemption Date, unless the Partnership defaults in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Series B Redemption Notice, all Series B Distributions on such Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series B Preferred Units as Limited Partners with respect to such Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease, except the right to receive the Series B Redemption Price, and such Series B Preferred Units shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Transfer Agent or be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Series B Preferred Unitholders shall have no claim to the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Series B Paying Agent. Any funds deposited with the Series B Paying Agent hereunder by the Partnership for any reason, including redemption of Series B Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after one year after the applicable Series B Redemption Date or other payment date, as applicable, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Partnership upon its written request, after which repayment the Series B Preferred Unitholders entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any Series B Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series B Preferred Units called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Series B Redemption Price of such Series B Preferred Units shall have been deposited by the Partnership with the Series B Paying Agent.

 

(F)                                 Any Series B Preferred Units that are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be cancelled. If only a portion of the Series B Preferred Units represented by a Certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the Certificate to the Series B Paying Agent (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series B Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee), the Partnership shall issue and the Series B Paying Agent shall deliver to the Series B Preferred Unitholders a new Certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the

 

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number of Series B Preferred Units represented by the surrendered Certificate that have not been called for redemption.

 

(G)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.15, in the event that (1) full cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities shall not have been paid or declared and set aside for payment or (2) the General Partner does not expect to have sufficient Available Cash to pay the next Series B Distribution or distribution on any Series B Parity Securities in full, the Partnership shall not be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series B Preferred Units or Series B Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all Series B Preferred Unitholders and holders of any Series B Parity Securities. Subject to Section 4.10, so long as any Series B Preferred Units are Outstanding, the Partnership shall not be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Units or any other Junior Interests unless full cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Units and any Series B Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending Series B Distribution Periods shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment.

 

(H)                              The Partnership shall not be required to make any sinking fund payments with respect to the Series B Preferred Units.

 

(iv)                              Record Holders.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Transfer Agent and the Series B Paying Agent may deem and treat any Series B Preferred Unitholder as the true, lawful and absolute owner of the applicable Series B Preferred Units for all purposes, and neither the General Partner, the Partnership nor the Transfer Agent or the Series B Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Series B Preferred Units are listed or admitted to trading.

 

(v)                                 Notices.  All notices or communications in respect of the Series B Preferred Units shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Section 5.15(b), this Agreement or by applicable law.

 

(vi)                              Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties.  The Series B Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Unitholders shall not have any designations, preferences, rights, powers, duties or obligations other than as set forth in this Agreement or as provided by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any duties or have any liabilities to Series B Preferred Unitholders.

 

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(vii)                           Liquidation Value. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Partnership under Section 12.4 or a sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership, either voluntary or involuntary, the Record Holders of the Series B Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to the Partners or any Assignees, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership to the Record Holders of any other class or series of Partnership Interests (other than Series B Parity Securities, the Record Holders of which shall have a pari passu entitlement), the positive value in each such holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Series B Preferred Units, after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments for the relevant taxable periods, including without limitation those provided for under Section 6.1(d)(x)(C).

 

ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 6.1                                    Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.

 

For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.

 

(a)                                 Net Income.  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i)                                     First, 100% to the General Partner as necessary to eliminate any deficit balance in the General Partner’s Capital Account; and

 

(ii)                                  Second, the balance, if any, to the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(b)                                 Net Losses.  After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i)                                     First, to the Unitholders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, provided that the Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);

 

(ii)                                  Second, to the Unitholders holding Common Units in accordance with the positive balances in their Adjusted Capital Accounts as such Adjusted

 

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Capital Accounts would be determined without regard to any Series A Preferred Units then held by such Unitholders;

 

(iii)                               Third, to the extent one or more holders of Preferred Units has a Preference Excess, among such holders, in accordance with such Preference Excess, until such Preference Excess has been reduced to zero;

 

(iv)                              Fourth, to the Preferred Unitholders in a manner that maintains their equivalent Relative Preference Percentages until the Capital Accounts of the Preferred Units are reduced to zero; and

 

(v)                                 Finally, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

 

(c)                                  [Reserved]

 

(d)                                 Special Allocations.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:

 

(i)                                     Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision.  For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                  Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions.  For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period.  This

 

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Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii)                               Priority Allocations. If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4 or with respect to Series A Preferred Units) to any Unitholder with respect to its Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis), then each such Unitholder receiving such greater cash or property distribution shall be allocated gross income in an amount equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution and (bb) the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater distribution.

 

(iv)                              Qualified Income Offset.  In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or (ii).

 

(v)                                 Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

 

(vi)                              Nonrecourse Deductions.  Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.  If the General Partner determines in its good faith discretion that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions must be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

 

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(vii)                           Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).  If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

(viii)                        Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(ix)                              Code Section 754 Adjustments.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(x)                                 Allocations with respect to Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units.

 

(A)                               Items of Partnership gross income shall be allocated to each Series A Preferred Unitholder until the aggregate amount of gross income allocated to each Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant hereto for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all cash distributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(i) from the date such Series A Preferred Unit was issued to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable year (and for the avoidance of doubt, without taking into account the cash distributions treated as made to Series A Preferred Unitholders pursuant to Section 5.14(b)(i)(F)).

 

(B)                               Items of Unrealized Gain and, to the extent Unrealized Gain is insufficient, Partnership gross income, shall be allocated to each Series A Preferred Unitholder and Series B Preferred Unitholder until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to each Series A Preferred Unitholder or Series B Preferred Unitholder pursuant hereto for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative

 

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amount of all Net Losses allocated to such Series A Preferred Unitholder or Series B Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) or Section 6.1(b)(iv) for all previous taxable years, provided that such allocation shall be made in a manner that first achieves, and subsequently maintains, an equal Relative Preference Percentage with respect to the Preferred Units.

 

(C)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if (A) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit or the redemption of the last Oustanding Series B Preferred Unit and (B) after having made all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Per Unit Capital Amount of each (i) Series A Preferred Unit does not equal or exceed the Series A Liquidation Value or (ii) Series B Preferred Unit does not equal or exceed the Series B Liquidation Value, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each (i) Series A Preferred Unit to equal the Series A Liquidation Value and (ii) Series B Preferred Unit to equal the Series B Liquidation Value (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation); provided that such allocations shall be made in a manner that first achieves, and subsequently maintains, an equal Relative Preference Percentage with respect to the Preferred Units. For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Per Unit Capital Amount balances described above, items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, shall be reallocated from the Unitholders holding Units other than Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. In the event that (i) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time) prescribed by law for the filing of the Partnership’s federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (ii) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Section 6.1(d)(x)(C) fails to achieve the Per Unit Capital Amounts described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among all Partners in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(x)(C), cause the Per Unit Capital Amount in respect of each (i) Series A Preferred Unit to equal the Series A Liquidation Value and (ii) Series B Preferred Unit to equal the Series B Liquidation Value.

 

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(xi)                              Curative Allocation.

 

(A)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner reasonably determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.  Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General Partner reasonably determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.

 

(B)                               The General Partner shall have reasonable discretion, with respect to each taxable period, to (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

 

(xii)                           Allocations with respect to AAP Common Units.

 

(A)                               In applying Sections 5.5(d) and 6.1(c) of the Fifth A&R LP Agreement and the 2012 Agreement (as defined in the Fifth A&R LP Agreement) upon a Revaluation Event occurring on or after January 1, 2016, the General Partner shall, adopt such valuation methodologies and make special allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss (as those terms are defined in the Fifth A&R LP Agreement) among the Partners in a manner that takes into account the relative economics established by the Simplification Agreement and to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to each AAP Common Unit equaling the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

 

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(B)                               Upon any Revaluation Event occurring concurrent with or after the PAA/AAP Interest Restructuring (as defined in the Simplification Agreement), items of Unrealized Gain and Unrealized Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to each AAP Common Unit equaling the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

 

Section 6.2                                    Allocations for Tax Purposes.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6. 1.

 

(b)                                 In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:

 

(i)                                     (A)                               In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(ii)                                  (A)                               In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5-5(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(iii)                               The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.

 

(c)                                  For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall have sole discretion to (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax purposes of income (including, without limitation, gross

 

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income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof).  The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.2(c) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

 

(d)                                 The General Partner in its discretion may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnership’s common basis of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6).  If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property.  If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests that would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(e)                                  Any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

(f)                                   All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted as necessary or appropriate to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

 

(g)                                  Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to a transferred Partnership Interest other than a Series B Preferred Unit, shall for federal income tax purposes, be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, that (i) such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the

 

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opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership other than in the ordinary course of business shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes.  The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation as it determines necessary, to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.  Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner in its sole discretion.

 

(h)                                 If, as a result of the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit into Common Units and the adjustments pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(iii), a Capital Account reallocation is required consistent with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

(i)                                     The Partnership shall accrue and report the income and deduction from the guaranteed payment for the use of capital attributable to the Series B Distribution on the Series B Record Date for such Series B Distribution without regard to whether the Series B Distribution is paid, provided, however, that the portion of such income and deduction for the period beginning on the last Series B Distribution Date of any tax year and continuing through the final day of such tax year shall be accrued and reported on the final day of such tax year.

 

Section 6.3                                    Requirement for and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise required by Section 5.14(b)(i) and Section 5.15(c)(i), within 45 days following the end of each Quarter, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners, Pro Rata, as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner in its reasonable discretion.  All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Limited Partners equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter.  Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall be deemed to be “Capital Surplus” until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price.  Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus. All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units shall not be entitled to distributions made pursuant to this Section 6.3(a).

 

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(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs, other than from borrowings described in (a)(ii) of the definition of Available Cash, shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

 

(c)                                  The General Partner shall have the discretion to treat as a distribution of Available Cash to all or less than all of the Partners or Assignees (i) taxes paid by any member of the Partnership Group on behalf of such Partners or Assignees, (ii) amounts withheld by any member of the Partnership Group for taxes with respect to such Partners or Assignees and (iii) amounts seized by any taxing authority from any member of the Partnership Group with respect to taxes owed by such Partners or Assignees.

 

(d)                                 Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

 

Section 7.1                                    Management.

 

(a)                                 The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership.  In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or which are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

 

(i)                                     the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into Partnership Securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;

 

(ii)                                  the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

 

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(iii)                               the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3);

 

(iv)                              the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including the Operating Partnerships); the repayment of obligations of the Partnership Group and the making of capital contributions to any member of the Partnership Group;

 

(v)                                 the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

 

(vi)                              the distribution of Partnership cash;

 

(vii)                           the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

 

(viii)                        the maintenance of such insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group and the Partners as it deems necessary or appropriate;

 

(ix)                              the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, the Operating Partnerships from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;

 

(x)                                 the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

 

(xi)                              the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

 

(xii)                           the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or

 

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requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);

 

(xiii)                        unless restricted or prohibited by Section 5.6(d), the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities, or the issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities; and

 

(xiv)                       the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s ownership or operation of any Group Member, including exercising, on behalf and for the benefit of the Partnership, the Partnership’s rights as the sole stockholder of the Operating General Partner.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Operating Partnership Agreements, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and the Assignees and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of the Operating Partnership Agreements, the Underwriting Agreement, the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement, and the other agreements and documents described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them, of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV), shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.

 

Section 7.2                                    Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act and shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.  To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or

 

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own property.  Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

 

Section 7.3                                    Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority.

 

(a)                                 The General Partner may not, without written approval of the specific act by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or by other written instrument executed and delivered by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests subsequent to the date of this Agreement, take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) committing any act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; (ii) possessing Partnership property, or assigning any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose; (iii) admitting a Person as a Partner; (iv) amending this Agreement in any manner; or (v) transferring its interest as general partner of the Partnership.

 

(b)                                 Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination) or approve on behalf of the Partnership the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Operating Partnerships, taken as a whole, without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided however that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership or Operating Partnerships and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or Operating Partnerships pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.  Without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, (i) consent to any amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreements or, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.9(d), take any action permitted to be taken by a partner of an Operating Partnership, in either case, that would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership as a partner of an Operating Partnership or (ii) except as permitted under Sections 4.6, 11.1 and 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner.

 

Section 7.4                                    Reimbursement of the General Partner.

 

(a)                                 Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement or in the Operating Partnership Agreements, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner or managing member of any Group Member.

 

(b)                                 The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other reasonable basis as the General Partner may determine in its sole discretion, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including payments made for the benefit of the Partnership to or on behalf of the Operating General Partner and including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the benefit of the Partnership, any Group Member or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership), and (ii) all

 

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other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise reasonably incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates).  The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership in any reasonable manner determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.

 

(c)                                  Subject to Section 5.6(d), the General Partner, in its sole discretion and without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group.  The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliate is obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices.  Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliate of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliate from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

 

Section 7.5                                    Outside Activities.

 

(a)                                 After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as the general partner of the Partnership and, as applicable, any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member.

 

(b)                                 Except as specifically restricted by Section 7.5(a), each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or

 

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anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty express or implied by law to any Group Member or any Partner or Assignee.  Neither any Group Member, any Limited Partner nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, either Operating Partnership Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby or thereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee.

 

(c)                                  Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of the General Partner’s fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the General Partner and the Indemnities shall have no obligation to present business opportunities to the Partnership.

 

(d)                                 The General Partner and any of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise all rights of the General Partner or Limited Partner, as applicable, relating to such Units or Partnership Securities.

 

(e)                                  The term “Affiliates” when used in Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member or any Subsidiary of the Group Member.

 

(f)                                   Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent that provisions of Sections 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10 or other Sections of this Agreement purport or are interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section 7.5.

 

Section 7.6                                    Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership; Contracts with Affiliates; Certain Restrictions on the General Partner.

 

(a)                                 The General Partner or its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-

 

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length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees).  The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds.  For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.  No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).

 

(b)                                 The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions established in the sole discretion of the General Partner; provided, however, that the Partnership may not charge the Group Member interest at a rate less than the rate that would be charged to the Group Member (without reference to the General Partner’s financial abilities or guarantees) by unrelated lenders on comparable loans.  The foregoing authority shall be exercised by the General Partner in its sole discretion and shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Group Member or any other Person.

 

(c)                                  The General Partner may itself, or may enter into an agreement with any of its Affiliates to, render services to a Group Member or to the General Partner in the discharge of its duties as general partner of the Partnership.  Any services rendered to a Group Member by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates shall be on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership; provided, however, that the requirements of this Section 7.6(c) shall be deemed satisfied as to (i) any transaction approved by Special Approval, (ii) any transaction, the terms of which are no less favorable to the Partnership Group than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iii) any transaction that, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership Group), is equitable to the Partnership Group.  The provisions of Section 7.4 shall apply to the rendering of services described in this Section 7.6(c).

 

(d)                                 The Partnership Group may transfer assets to joint ventures, other partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions as are consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.

 

(e)                                  Neither the General Partner nor any of its Affiliates shall sell, transfer or convey any property to, or purchase any property from, the Partnership, directly or indirectly, except pursuant to transactions that are fair and reasonable to the Partnership; provided, however, that the requirements of this Section 7.6(e) shall be deemed to be satisfied as to (i) the transactions effected pursuant to the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement and any other transactions described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) any transaction approved by Special Approval, (iii) any transaction, the terms of which are no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties, or (iv) any transaction that, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership), is equitable to the Partnership.  With respect to any contribution of assets to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Securities, the Conflicts Committee, in determining whether the appropriate number of Partnership Securities are being issued, may take into

 

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account, among other things, the fair market value of the assets, the liquidated and contingent liabilities assumed, the tax basis in the assets, the extent to which tax-only allocations to the transferor will protect the existing partners of the Partnership against a low tax basis, and such other factors as the Conflicts Committee deems relevant under the circumstances.

 

(f)                                   The General Partner and its Affiliates will have no obligation to permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use, nor shall there be any obligation on the part of the General Partner or its Affiliates to enter into such contracts.

 

(g)                                  Without limitation of Sections 7.6(a) through 7.6(f), and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners.

 

Section 7.7                                    Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that in each case the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or (in the case of a Person other than the General Partner) not opposed to, the best interests of the Partnership and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner with respect to its obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement or the Contribution and Conveyance Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any Operating Partnership).  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified above. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                 To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.

 

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(c)                                  The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                 The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Partnership.

 

(f)                                   In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(g)                                  An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(h)                                 The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

 

(i)                                     No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

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Section 7.8                                    Liability of lndemnitees.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the Assignees or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission if such Indemnitee acted in good faith.

 

(b)                                 Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

(c)                                  To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities of an Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                 Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the General Partner, and the Partnership’s and General Partner’s and the Operating General Partner’s directors, officers and employees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

Section 7.9                                    Resolution of Conflicts of Interest.

 

(a)                                 Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or an Operating Partnership Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, an Operating Partnership, any Partner or any Assignee, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Operating Partnership Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action is, or by operation of this Agreement is deemed to be, fair and reasonable to the Partnership.  The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution.  Any conflict of interest and any resolution of such conflict of interest shall be conclusively deemed fair and reasonable to the Partnership if such conflict of interest or resolution is (i) approved by Special Approval (as long as the material facts known to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates regarding any proposed transaction were disclosed to the Conflicts Committee at the time it gave its approval), (ii) on terms no less

 

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favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iii) fair to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership).  The General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval.  The General Partner (including the Conflicts Committee in connection with Special Approval) shall be authorized in connection with its determination of what is “fair and reasonable” to the Partnership and in connection with its resolution of any conflict of interest to consider (A) the relative interests of any party to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interest; (B) any customary or accepted industry practices and any customary or historical dealings with a particular Person; (C) any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles; and (D) such additional factors as the General Partner (including the Conflicts Committee) determines in its sole discretion to be relevant, reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, however, is intended to nor shall it be construed to require the General Partner (including the Conflicts Committee) to consider the interests of any Person other than the Partnership.  In the absence of bad faith by the General Partner, the resolution, action or terms so made, taken or provided by the General Partner with respect to such matter shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or a breach of any standard of care or duty imposed herein or therein or, to the extent permitted by law, under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation.

 

(b)                                 Whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby provides that the General Partner or any of its Affiliates is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion,” that it deems “necessary or appropriate” or “necessary or advisable” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner or such Affiliate shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, the Partnership, any Operating Partnership, any Limited Partner or any Assignee, (ii) it may make such decision in its sole discretion (regardless of whether there is a reference to “sole discretion” or “discretion”) unless another express standard is provided for, or (iii) in “good faith” or under another express standard, the General Partner or such Affiliate shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Operating Partnership Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation. In addition, any actions taken by the General Partner or such Affiliate consistent with the standards of “reasonable discretion” set forth in the definitions of Available Cash or Operating Surplus shall not constitute a breach of any duty of the General Partner to the Partnership or the Limited Partners.  The General Partner shall have no duty, express or implied, to sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business.

 

(c)                                  Whenever a particular transaction, arrangement or resolution of a conflict of interest is required under this Agreement to be “fair and reasonable” to any Person, the fair and reasonable nature of such transaction, arrangement or resolution shall be considered in the context of all similar or related transactions.

 

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(d)                                 The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner of such Group Member (including the Operating General Partner) similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

 

Section 7.10                             Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.

 

(a)                                 The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(b)                                 The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

 

(c)                                  The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.

 

(d)                                 Any standard of care and duty imposed by this Agreement or under the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation shall be modified, waived or limited, to the extent permitted by law, as required to permit the General Partner to act under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement and to make any decision pursuant to the authority prescribed in this Agreement, so long as such action is reasonably believed by the General Partner to be in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Partnership.

 

Section 7.11                             Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities.

 

The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities.  As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein.  The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.

 

Section 7.12                             Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.

 

(a)                                 If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the “Holder”) to dispose of the number of

 

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Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then upon the request of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in its good faith judgment that a postponement of the requested registration for up to six months would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter.  In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall promptly prepare and file (x) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (y) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things that may reasonably be necessary or advisable to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states.  Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

 

(b)                                 If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request.  If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holder’s Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder which, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering.  Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.

 

(c)                                  If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters.  Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation

 

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under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”) against any losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, assessments, damages, liabilities (joint or several), costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements), resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by the Indemnified Persons, directly or indirectly, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

 

(d)                                 The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partner’s Affiliates) after it ceases to be a Partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period.  The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.

 

(e)                                  Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Person’s present intent to offer such shares for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.

 

Section 7.13                             Reliance by Third Parties.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets

 

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of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially.  Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing.  In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of the Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives.  Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

Section 8.1                                    Records and Accounting.

 

The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a).  Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders and Assignees of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.  The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

Section 8.2                                    Fiscal Year.

 

The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

 

Section 8.3                                    Reports.

 

(a)                                 As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or furnished to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner in its discretion, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements

 

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of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

 

(b)                                 As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or furnished to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner in its discretion, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS

 

Section 9.1                                    Tax Returns and Information.

 

The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31.  The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable year ends.  The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 9.2                                    Tax Elections.

 

(a)                                 The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are traded during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

 

(b)                                 The Partnership shall elect to deduct expenses incurred in organizing the Partnership ratably over a sixty-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

 

(c)                                  Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

 

Section 9.3                                    Tax Controversies.

 

Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code as in effect prior to the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015) and the “partnership representative” (as defined in Section 6223

 

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of the Code following the enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith.  In its capacity as “partnership representative,” the General Partner shall exercise, in its sole discretion, any and all authority of the “partnership representative” under the Code, including, without limitation, (i) binding the Partnership and its Partners with respect to tax matters and (ii) determining whether to make any available election under Section 6226 of the Code.  Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.  Each Partner agrees that notice of or updates regarding tax controversies shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made by the General Partner if the Partnership has either (a) filed the information for which notice is required with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such information is publicly available on such system or (b) made the information for which notice is required available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership, whether or not such Partner remains a Partner in the Partnership at the time such information is made publicly available. The General Partner may amend the provisions of this Agreement as determined appropriate in order to minimize the potential U.S. federal and state or local income tax consequences to current and former Limited Partners, and for the proper administration of the Partnership, upon any amendment to the provisions of Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of Subtitle A of the Code, as enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, or the promulgation of regulations or publication of other administrative guidance thereunder.

 

Section 9.4                                    Withholding.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that it determines in its discretion to be necessary or appropriate to cause the Partnership to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state, local or foreign law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code.  To the extent that the Partnership or any member of the Partnership Group is required or elects to withhold or pay over to any taxing authority, or any taxing authority seizes, any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any member of the Partnership Group, Partner or Assignee, the amount withheld, paid over or seized may at the discretion of the General Partner be treated by the Partnership as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 to the Partner or Assignee to whom such withholding, payment or seizure is attributed.

 

ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

 

Section 10.1                             [Reserved]

 

Section 10.2                             Admission of Substituted Limited Partner.

 

By transfer of a Limited Partner Interest in accordance with Article IV, the transferor shall be deemed to have given the transferee the right to seek admission as a Substituted Limited

 

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Partner subject to the conditions of, and in the manner permitted under, this Agreement.  A transferor of a Certificate representing a Limited Partner Interest, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, shall, however, only have the authority to convey to a purchaser or other transferee (a) the right to negotiate such Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, to a purchaser or other transferee and (b) the right to transfer the right to request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other transferee in respect of the transferred Limited Partner Interests.  Each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent acquiring such Limited Partner Interest for the account of another Person) shall, by virtue of such execution and delivery, be an Assignee and be deemed to have applied to become a Substituted Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person. Such Assignee shall become a Substituted Limited Partner (x) at such time as the General Partner consents thereto, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s discretion, and (y) when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Partnership.  If such consent is withheld, such transferee shall be an Assignee.  An Assignee shall have an interest in the Partnership equivalent to that of a Limited Partner with respect to allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions, of the Partnership.  With respect to voting rights attributable to Limited Partner Interests that are held by Assignees, the General Partner shall be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect thereto and shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any matter, vote such Limited Partner Interests at the written direction of the Assignee who is the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests.  If no such written direction is received, such Limited Partner Interests will not be voted.  An Assignee shall have no other rights of a Limited Partner.

 

Section 10.3                             Admission of Successor General Partner.

 

A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission.  Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

 

Section 10.4                             Admission of Additional Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                 A Person (other than the General Partner, an Initial Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 2.6, and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be required in the discretion of the General Partner to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner.

 

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(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.4, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld in the General Partner’s discretion.  The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded as such in the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission.

 

Section 10.5                             Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.

 

ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

 

Section 11.1                             Withdrawal of the General Partner.

 

(a)                                 The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal”);

 

(i)                                     The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

 

(ii)                                  The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;

 

(iii)                               The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

 

(iv)                              The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

(v)                                 A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

 

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(vi)                              (A) in the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.

 

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence.  The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

(b)                                 Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (ii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iii) at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units.  The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the other Group Members.  If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner.  The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member.  If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive an Opinion of Counsel (“Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel”), the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1.  Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.

 

Section 11.2                             Removal of the General Partner.

 

The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates).  Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a Unit Majority (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates).  Such removal shall be

 

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effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3.  The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member.  If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member.  The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel.  Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.

 

Section 11.3                             Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner.

 

(a)                                 In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Departing Partner shall require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest) in the other Group Members, if any (collectively, the “Combined Interest”), in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure.  If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, such successor shall purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest.  In either event, the Departing Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the General Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

 

For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing Partner’s departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter.  If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest.  In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on

 

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any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.

 

(b)                                 If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor).  Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner.  For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units will be characterized as if the General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

 

Section 11.4                             [Reserved]

 

Section 11.5                             Withdrawal of Limited Partners.

 

No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 12.1                             Dissolution.

 

The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership.  The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

 

(a)                                 the expiration of its term as provided in Section 2.7;

 

(b)                                 an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3;

 

(c)                                  an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

 

(d)                                 the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

 

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(e)                                  the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership Group.

 

Section 12.2                             Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.

 

Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those set forth in this Agreement and having as the successor general partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority.  Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs.  If such an election is so made, then:

 

(i)                                     the reconstituted Partnership shall continue until the end of the term set forth in Section 2.7 unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

 

(ii)                                  if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

 

(iii)                               all necessary steps shall be taken to cancel this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and to enter into and, as necessary, to file a new partnership agreement and certificate of limited partnership, and the successor general partner may for this purpose exercise the powers of attorney granted the General Partner pursuant to Section 2.6; provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to reconstitute and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership nor an Operating Partnership would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue.

 

Section 12.3                             Liquidator.

 

Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the Partnership is continued under an election to reconstitute and continue the Partnership pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator.  The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of a Unit Majority.  The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to

 

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resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of a Unit Majority.  Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of a Unit Majority.  The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided.  Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3(b)) to the extent necessary or desirable in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during such period of time as shall be reasonably required in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

 

Section 12.4                             Liquidation.

 

The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as the Liquidator determines to be in the best interest of the Partners, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

 

(a)                                 Disposition of Assets.  The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree.  If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may, in its absolute discretion, defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.  The Liquidator may, in its absolute discretion, distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

 

(b)                                 Discharge of Liabilities.  Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to Partners other than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI.  With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment.  When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

 

(c)                                  Liquidation Distributions.  All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) and that required to satisfy, in the aggregate, the Capital Accounts relating to the Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units as provided for under Section 5.14(b)(xiii) and Section 5.15(c)(vii), respectively, shall be

 

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distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence); provided that the aggregate distribution made to holders of the Preferred Units shall be made in a manner that causes the Series A Preferred Unitholders and the Series B Preferred Unitholders to receive an equivalent percentage of the Series A Liquidation Value or the Series B Liquidation Preference, as applicable.

 

Section 12.5                             Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Partnership shall be terminated and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

 

Section 12.6                             Return of Contributions.

 

The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

 

Section 12.7                             Waiver of Partition.

 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

Section 12.8                             Capital Account Restoration.

 

No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership.  The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

 

ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT;
MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

 

Section 13.1                             Amendment to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.

 

Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

 

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(a)                                 a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

 

(b)                                 admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(c)                                  a change that, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Partnership and the Operating Partnerships will not be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

(d)                                 a change that, in the discretion of the General Partner, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, (ii) is necessary or advisable to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Limited Partner Interests (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Limited Partner Interests) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are or will be listed for trading, compliance with any of which the General Partner determines in its discretion to be in the best interests of the Partnership and the Limited Partners, (iii) is necessary or advisable in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.10 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any changes that, in the discretion of the General Partner, are necessary or advisable as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

 

(f)                                   an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

 

(g)                                  subject to the terms of Section 5.6(d), an amendment that, in the discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6;

 

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(h)                                 any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

 

(i)                                     an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

 

(j)                                    an amendment that, in the discretion of the General Partner, is necessary or advisable to reflect, account for and deal with appropriately the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4;

 

(k)                                 a merger or conveyance pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or

 

(l)                                     any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

 

Section 13.2                             Amendment Procedures.

 

Except as provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements.  Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of the General Partner which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion.  A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law.  Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment.  If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment.  The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.

 

Section 13.3                             Amendment Requirements.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion, (iii) change Section 12.1(a) or 12.1(c), or (iv) change the term of the Partnership or, except as set forth in Section 12.1(c), give any Person the right to dissolve the Partnership.

 

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(c)                                  Except as provided in Section 14.3, and except as otherwise provided, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Common Units unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.

 

(e)                                  Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

 

Section 13.4                             Meetings.

 

(a)                                 All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII.

 

(b)                                 Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed.  Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called.  Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent.

 

(c)                                  Promptly after PAGP partners receive notice that a vote will be required in any election of PAGP Eligible Directors, the General Partner shall call a meeting of the Limited Partners for the purpose of submitting such election to a vote of the Limited Partners (other than Plains AAP with respect to any Common Units owned by it and the Series B Preferred Unitholders with respect to any Series B Preferred Units owned by such Unitholders) (the “Eligible Limited Partners”) and provide to such Eligible Limited Partners the information regarding such election that was provided to the PAGP partners. Such meeting shall occur as close in time to the PAGP meeting for the election of PAGP Eligible Directors as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than immediately prior to such PAGP meeting. Promptly after expiration of the deadline for voting at meetings called pursuant to this Section 13.4(c), the Partnership, acting in its capacity as a partner of PAGP, shall vote (or refrain from voting) the PAGP Class C Shares it holds at the meeting for the election of such PAGP Eligible Directors in

 

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the same proportion as the Eligible Limited Partners voted (or refrained from voting) their Units on the election.

 

(d)                                 Any meeting of Limited Partners shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 13.5.  If authorized by the General Partner, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the General Partner may adopt, Limited Partners and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of the Limited Partners, may by means of remote communication participate in such meeting, and be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting; provided that the Partnership shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each Person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a Limited Partner or proxyholder, to provide such Limited Partner or proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to record the votes or other action made by such Limited Partner or proxyholders.

 

(e)                                  If a meeting pursuant to Section 13.4(c) is not held on the date designated therefor, the General Partner shall cause the meeting to be held as soon as is convenient. Subject to Section 13.11, nothing in this Section 13.4 shall prevent the Limited Partners from taking any authorized action by means of a consent in writing or by electronic transmission.

 

(f)                                   The exercise by an Eligible Limited Partner of the right to vote to direct the General Partner to cause the Partnership to vote its PAGP Class C Shares in an election of the PAGP Eligible Directors and any other rights afforded to a Limited Partner under this Article XIII shall be taken in such Limited Partner’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership and shall not cause a Limited Partner to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize such Limited Partner’s limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

 

Section 13.5                             Notice of a Meeting.

 

Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Limited Partner Interests for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1.  The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

 

Section 13.6                             Record Date.

 

For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11, the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the

 

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General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (i) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, and (ii) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.

 

Section 13.7                             Adjournment.

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days.  At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

 

Section 13.8                             Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.

 

The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, Limited Partners representing such quorum who were present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, sign a written waiver of notice or an approval of the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof.  All waivers and approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.  Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

 

Section 13.9                             Quorum; Required Vote for Limited Partner Action.

 

The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Limited Partner Interests, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage.  At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Limited Partner Interests that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Limited Partner

 

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Interests that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required.  The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests specified in this Agreement (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner).  In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests entitled to vote at such meeting (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.

 

Section 13.10                      Conduct of a Meeting.

 

The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting.  The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting.  All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner.  The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.

 

Section 13.11                      Action Without a Meeting.

 

If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners (other than voting to direct the Partnership to vote its PAGP Class C Shares in the election of PAGP Eligible Directors pursuant to Section 13.4(c)) may be taken without a meeting, without a vote, if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests (including Limited Partner Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern).  Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing.  The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner.  If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Limited Partner Interests held by the Limited Partners the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Limited Partner

 

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Interests that were not voted.  If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

 

Section 13.12                      Voting and Other Rights.

 

(a)                                 Only those Record Holders of the Limited Partner Interests on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests have the right to vote or to act.  All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b)                                 With respect to Limited Partner Interests that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Limited Partner Interests are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Limited Partner Interests in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

 

Section 13.13                      Pass-Through Nominations.

 

Any Eligible Limited Partner who was a Record Holder at the time the notice provided for in Section 13.5 for a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4(c) is given to the Limited Partners of a number of the Limited Partner Interests equal to 10% or more of the number of PAGP Outstanding Shares at such time may direct the General Partner to cause the Partnership to nominate a person for election as a PAGP Eligible Director in accordance with Section 13.4(c)(ii) of the PAGP LP Agreement; provided, that no Eligible Limited Partner may nominate more than one PAGP Eligible Director; provided further, that any nomination pursuant to this Section 13.13 must comply with the procedures set forth in Section 13.4(c)(ii) of the PAGP LP Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and only such persons who are nominated in accordance with such procedures shall be eligible to be elected as a PAGP Eligible Director.

 

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ARTICLE XIV
MERGER

 

Section 14.1                             Authority.

 

The Partnership may merge or consolidate with one or more corporations, limited liability companies, business trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a general partnership or limited partnership, formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) in accordance with this Article XIV.

 

Section 14.2                             Procedure for Merger or Consolidation.

 

Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior approval of the General Partner.  If the General Partner shall determine, in the exercise of its discretion, to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

 

(a)                                 The names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

(b)                                 The name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity”);

 

(c)                                  The terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

 

(d)                                 The manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their general or limited partner interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

 

(e)                                  A statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

 

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(f)                                   The effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of the certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed no later than the time of the filing of the certificate of merger and stated therein); and

 

(g)                                  Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner.

 

Section 14.3                             Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation.

 

(a)                                 Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII.  A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

 

(b)                                 Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, in its discretion, without Limited Partner approval, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such Merger other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any partner in the Operating Partnership or cause the Partnership or Operating Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

 

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Section 14.4                             Certificate of Merger.

 

Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 14.5                             Effect of Merger.

 

(a)                                 At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

 

(i)                                     all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

 

(ii)                                  the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

 

(iii)                               all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

 

(iv)                              all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

 

(b)                                 A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.

 

ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

 

Section 15.1                             Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time not more than 20% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding is held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates (other than, in the case of Series A Preferred Units, any such Affiliates that are Series A Purchasers as of the Series A Issuance Date), the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described

 

110



 

in Section 15 is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.  As used in this Agreement, (i) “Current Market Price” as of any date of any class of Limited Partner Interests listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per limited partner interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) “Closing Price” for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted for trading on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market) on which such Limited Partner Interests of such class are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined reasonably and in good faith by the General Partner; and (iii) “Trading Day” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

 

(b)                                 If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date.  Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York.  The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading.  Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice.

 

111



 

On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1.  If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI and XII).

 

(c)                                  At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

 

ARTICLE XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 16.1                             Addresses and Notices.

 

Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner or Assignee at the address described below.  Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise.  An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report.  If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the

 

112



 

books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner or Assignee at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners and Assignees.  Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3.  The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner, Assignee or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

 

Section 16.2                             Further Action.

 

The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 16.3                             Binding Effect.

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

Section 16.4                             Integration.

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

Section 16.5                             Creditors.

 

None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

 

Section 16.6                             Waiver.

 

No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 16.7                             Counterparts.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.  Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a

 

113



 

Unit, upon accepting the Certificate evidencing such Unit, or other evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Units, independently of the signature of any other party.

 

Section 16.8                             Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

(b)                                 Each of the Partners and each Person holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

 

(i)                                     irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;

 

(ii)                                  irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

 

(iii)                               agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

 

(iv)                              expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and

 

(v)                                 consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof;

 

114



 

provided, nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

Section 16.9                             Invalidity of Provisions.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in an: respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 16.10                      Consent of Partners.

 

Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it i specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

 

[Rest of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

115



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

PAA GP LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

PLAINS AAP, L.P.,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

PLAINS ALL AMERICAN GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard McGee

 

Name:

Richard McGee

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

116



 

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner.

 

 

 

PAA GP LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

PLAINS AAP, L.P.,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

PLAINS ALL AMERICAN GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard McGee

 

Name:

Richard McGee

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

117



 

EXHIBIT A
to the Seventh Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing, Limited Partner Interests in
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

No.     

     Common Units

 

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”), Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that                    (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of               Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this properly endorsed Certificate. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

 

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

 

A-1



 

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

 

Dated:

 

 

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

 

 

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

as Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signature

 

 

Secretary

 

A-2



 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT TRANSFERS MIN ACT

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

 

Custodian

 

JT TEN —

as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

(Cust)

 

(Minor)

 

 

 

 

 

under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to

 

 

CD Minors Act

 

 

 

 

(State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS
in
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                  hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of Assignee)

 

(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

 

           Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint            as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Date:

 

 

NOTE:   The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A MEMBER FIRM OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. OR BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

A-3



 

SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED

 

No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer. A transferor of the Common Units shall have no duty to the transferee in order for such transferee to obtain registration of the transfer of the Common Units.

 

A-4



 

EXHIBIT B
to the Seventh Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Certificate Evidencing
Series A Convertible Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

No.    

     Series A Preferred Units

 

In accordance with Section 5.14(b)(v) of the Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”), Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that         (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of        Series A Convertible Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Series A Preferred Units”), transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series A Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at the principal office of the Partnership located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

 

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

 

This Certificate shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws thereof.

 

NEITHER THE OFFER NOR SALE OF THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER AND, IN THE CASE OF A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT OR THE PARTNERSHIP HAS RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION

 

B-1



 

REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSACTION DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT. THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THE SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2016, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PARTNERSHIP AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.

 

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the General Partner, as transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Units.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

PAA GP LLC, as general partner of the Partnership

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

B-2



 

 

Countersigned and registered:

 

 

 

PAA GP LLC, as transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Units

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

B-3



 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

 

Custodian

 

JT TEN —

as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

(Cust)

 

(Minor)

 

 

 

 

 

under Uniform Gifts to

 

 

Minors Act

 

 

 

 

(State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

B-4



 

ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS
in
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                  hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of Assignee)

 

((Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of Assignee)

 

           Series A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint            as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Date:

 

 

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A MEMBER FIRM OF THE  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. OR BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE(S)

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

GUARANTEED

 

 

 

 

No transfer of the Series A Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series A Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration of transfer.

 

B-5



 

ASSIGNEE CERTIFICATION

 

Type of Entity (check one):

 

o

Individual

o

Partnership

o

Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Trust

o

Other (specify)

 

 

 

Nationality (check one):

 

o

U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity

 

 

 

 

o

Foreign Corporation

o

Non-resident Alien

 

If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.

 

Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interestholder’s Interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interestholder).

 

Complete Either A or B:

 

A.                                    Individual Interestholder

 

1.                                      I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation;

 

2.                                      My U.S. taxpayer identification number (social security number) is           .

 

3.                                      My home address is:            .

 

B.                                    Partnership, Corporation or Other Interestholder

 

1.                                                       is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations)

 

2.                                      The interestholder’s U.S. employer identification number is                .

 

3.                                      The interestholder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is            .

 

The interestholder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the interestholder becomes a foreign person.

 

B-6



 

The interestholder understands that this Certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

 

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Interestholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature and Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title (if applicable)

 

 

Note: If the assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person, this certification should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any person for whom the assignee will hold the Series A Preferred Units shall be made to the best of Assignee’s knowledge.

 

B-7



 

EXHIBIT C
to the Seventh Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Certificate Evidencing
Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

No.

                        Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate

 

Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units

 

In accordance with Section 5.15(b) of the Seventh Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”), Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), hereby certifies that         (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of        Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Series B Preferred Units”), transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Series B Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series B Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at the principal office of the Partnership located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77002. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

 

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

 

C-1



 

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

 

Dated:

 

 

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

 

 

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

as Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signature

Secretary

 

C-2



 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

 

 Custodian

 

JT TEN —     as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

(Cust)   

 

(Minor)

 

 

under Uniform Gifts to

 

 

Minors Act

 

 

 

 

    (State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

C-3



 

ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES B PREFERRED UNITS
in
PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE, L.P.

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                  hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of Assignee)

((Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of Assignee)

           Series B Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint            as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.

 

Date:

 

 

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A MEMBER FIRM OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. OR BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY SIGNATURE(S)

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

GUARANTEED

 

 

 

No transfer of the Series B Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series B Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration of transfer.

 

C-4



 

ASSIGNEE CERTIFICATION

 

 

Type of Entity (check one):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Individual

o

Partnership

o

Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

o

Trust

o

Other (specify)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nationality (check one):

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity

 

 

 

 

o

Foreign Corporation

o

Non-resident Alien

 

 

 

 

 

If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification must be completed.

 

Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is required with respect to the undersigned interestholder’s Interest in it, the undersigned hereby certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the interestholder).

 

Complete Either A or B:

 

A.            Individual Interestholder

 

1.             I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation;

 

2.             My U.S. taxpayer identification number (social security number) is           .

 

3.             My home address is:            .

 

B.            Partnership, Corporation or Other Interestholder

 

1.                                                       is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations)

 

2.                                      The interestholder’s U.S. employer identification number is                .

 

3.                                      The interestholder’s office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is            .

 

The interestholder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the interestholder becomes a foreign person.

 

C-5



 

The interestholder understands that this Certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service by the Partnership and that any false statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

 

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Interestholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature and Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title (if applicable)

 

 

Note: If the assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person, this certification should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer, by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or, in the case of any other nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the above certification as to any person for whom the assignee will hold the Series B Preferred Units shall be made to the best of Assignee’s knowledge.

 

C-6