-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GPpsNvb6KzH/q/BagKLdqBChlqnnLEd7a9nJfgo1bMGuFmwWkUFpIOV23nT0vWW/ kgfNpXGfPnOvwaj3VBvuKQ== 0001104659-08-029113.txt : 20080501 0001104659-08-029113.hdr.sgml : 20080501 20080501165042 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-029113 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080428 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080501 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080501 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001166036 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 270005456 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31239 FILM NUMBER: 08795357 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1515 ARAPAHOE STREET STREET 2: TOWER 2, SUITE 700 CITY: DENVER STATE: CO ZIP: 80202-2126 BUSINESS PHONE: 303-925-9200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1515 ARAPAHOE STREET STREET 2: TOWER 2, SUITE 700 CITY: DENVER STATE: CO ZIP: 80202-2126 8-K 1 a08-13194_18k.htm 8-K

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 28, 2008

 

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-31239

 

27-0005456

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

Identification Number)

 

1515 Arapahoe Street, Tower 2, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 303-925-9200

 

Not Applicable.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o    Written Communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o    Pre-Commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o    Pre-Commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 



 

ITEM 1.01.  Entry into a Material Agreement.

 

On April 28, 2008, MarkWest Energy Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”) entered into a Purchase Agreement, dated April 28, 2008 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Partnership, its wholly-owned subsidiary, MarkWest Energy Finance Corporation (“Finance Corp” and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”), certain subsidiary guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”) and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, relating to the sale and issuance of $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8¾% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (the “Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes are being offered as additional debt securities under an indenture (the “Indenture”)  pursuant to which the Issuers issued $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 8¾% Senior Notes due 2018 on April 15, 2008 (the “Existing Senior Notes”).

 

On May 1, 2008, the Issuers entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 1, 2008 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation and Wachovia Securities LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers, each relating to the Senior Notes.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors will use their reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement with the SEC with respect to an offer to exchange the Existing Senior Notes and the Senior Notes for substantially identical notes that are registered under the Securities Act.  The Issuers and Guarantors have agreed that the exchange offer will be completed within six months of April 15, 2008, the closing date of the Existing Senior Notes private placement.  Under some circumstances, in lieu of a registered exchange offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed to file a shelf registration statement with respect to the Existing Senior Notes and Senior Notes and to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until the earlier of the period specified in Rule 144 for the Existing Senior Notes and Senior Notes to become unrestricted securities or the sale pursuant to the shelf registration statement of all of the Existing Senior Notes and Senior notes registered thereunder. The Issuers and the Guarantors are required to pay additional interest if they fail to comply with their obligations to register the Existing Senior Notes and Senior Notes within the specified time periods.

 

The description set forth above is qualified in its entirety by the Indenture, which was included as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2008, and the Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1.

 

ITEM 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

 The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

ITEM 8.01.  Other Events.

 

On April 28, 2008, the Partnership issued a press release announcing the offering and the pricing of the Senior Notes.  A copy of the Partnership’s press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

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ITEM 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

4.1

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 1, 2008 among MarkWest Energy Partner, L.P., MarkWest Energy Finance Corporation, and the several guarantors named therein, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation and Wachovia Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated April 28, 2008, announcing offering and pricing of private placement of senior notes.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

Its General Partner

 

 

 

Date:   May 1, 2008

By:

   /s/ NANCY K. BUESE

 

 

Nancy K. Buese

 

 

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

4.1

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 1, 2008 among MarkWest Energy Partner, L.P., MarkWest Energy Finance Corporation, and the several guarantors named therein, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation and Wachovia Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated April 28, 2008, announcing offering and pricing of private placement of senior notes.

 

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EX-4.1 2 a08-13194_1ex4d1.htm EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

May 1, 2008

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated May 1, 2008 (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and among MarkWest Energy Partners L.P., a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Partnership”), MarkWest Energy Finance Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“Finance Corp” and, together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”), the guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Fortis Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”).

 

The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers are parties to that certain Purchase Agreement dated April 28, 2008 (the “Purchase Agreement”), which provides for the sale by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Securities”) which will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Guarantors.  The Securities will be issued as additional debt securities pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 15, 2008, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the Issuers previously issued $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Original Securities”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of April 25, 2008 (such Indenture, as so supplemented, being referred to herein as the “Indenture”).  As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Business Day” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

 

DTC” shall mean the Depository Trust Company.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

 

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Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Issuers and the Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Issuers and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

Finance Corp” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include Finance Corp’s successors.

 

FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include any Guarantor’s successors.

 

Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

 

Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

 

Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

 

Indenture” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital.

 

Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof.

 

Issuer FWP” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

 

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Issuers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Issuers or any of their affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided, further, that if the Issuers shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.

 

Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Partnership” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Partnership’s successors.

 

Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital.

 

Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities are freely tradeable pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act by Persons other than any affiliate of either of the Issuers (as such term is defined in Rule 144) or (iii) when such Securities cease to be outstanding.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Issuers and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) 

 

3



 

all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, including without limitation the Trust Indenture Act, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Issuers and the Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Issuers and the Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the recital.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Issuers and the Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an appropriate form

 

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under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

 

Target Registration Date” shall have the meaning set for in Section 2(d) hereof.

 

Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

 

Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(f) hereof.

 

Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

2.             Registration Under the Securities Act.  (a)  To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities.  The Issuers and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than 60 days after such effective date.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Exchange Offer may be combined with the exchange offer for the Original Securities, and the Exchange Offer Registration Statement may register securities to be offered pursuant to both the Exchange Offer and the exchange offer for the Original Securities.

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:

 

(i)            that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

 

(ii)           the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Exchange Dates”);

 

5



 

(iii)          that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement;

 

(iv)          that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required, (x) in the case a Holder electing to exchange a Registrable Security in global form, to comply with the applicable procedures of DTC for book-entry tenders, and, (y) in the case of a Holder electing to exchange a Registrable Security in certificated form, to surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) and in the manner specified in the notice, prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

 

(v)           that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by, (x) in the case of a Holder withdrawing its election to exchange a Registrable Security in global form, complying with the applicable procedures of DTC for withdrawal of tenders, and, (y) in the case of a Holder withdrawing its election to exchange a Registrable Security in certificated form, sending to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged.

 

As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent to the Issuers and the Guarantors that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)            accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

 

(ii)           deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Issuers and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder,

 

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Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder.

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.

 

(b)           In the event that (i) the Issuers and the Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be completed as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason completed by October 15, 2008 or (iii) any Initial Purchaser shall so request in connection with any offer or sale of Registrable Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC.

 

In the event that the Issuers and the Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for one year, or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”).  The Issuers and the Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Issuers for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable.  The Issuers and the Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of

 

7



 

Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

 

(c)           The Issuers and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof.  Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(d)           An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

In the event that either the Exchange Offer is not completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, is not declared effective on or prior to October 15, 2008 (the “Target Registration Date”), the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the Target Registration Date and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, in each case until the Exchange Offer is completed or the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, is declared effective by the SEC no longer qualify as Registrable Securities, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum of additional interest; provided that if an obligation to file a Shelf Registration Statement arises pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii) and the applicable Initial Purchaser does not make the request to file a Shelf Registration Statement by August 15, 2008, then the Target Registration Date shall be extended by the number of days from and including August 15, 2008 to and including the date on which such request is made.

 

If the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has been declared effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 60 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period, then the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.50% per annum commencing on the 61st day in such 12-month period and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period (whether or not consecutive) and ending on such date that the Shelf Registration Statement has again been declared effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum of additional interest.

 

(e)           Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Issuers or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or

 

8



 

any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

 

3.             Registration Procedures.  (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall as expeditiously as possible:

 

(i)            prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Issuers and the Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

 

(ii)           prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

 

(iii)          in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Issuers and the Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 

(iv)          use their reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that none of the Issuers or the Guarantors shall be required to (1) qualify as a

 

9



 

foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

 

(v)           in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities, counsel for such Holders and counsel for the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (4) if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if either of the Issuers or any Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate;

 

(vi)          use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order;

 

(vii)         in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

 

(viii)        in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Holders of any Registrable Securities in certificated form to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least one Business Day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities in certificated form;

 

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(ix)           in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Issuers and the Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Issuers and the Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

 

(x)            a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, file any Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) shall object; provided, that this clause shall not apply to any filing by the Partnership of any Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to matters unrelated to the Securities and the offering or exchange therefor;

 

(xi)           obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement;

 

(xii)          cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and

 

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all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

 

(xiii)                          in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorneys and accountants designated by the Holders of Registrable Securities and any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Issuers and the Guarantors, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Issuers and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter);

 

(xiv)        in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued or guaranteed by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

 

(xv)         if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Issuers have received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing; and

 

(xvi)        in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers and the Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities,

 

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covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent registered public accounting firm of the Issuers and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other independent registered public accounting firm of any subsidiary of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or of any business acquired by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement.

 

(b)           The Issuers shall not, without the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), make any offer relating to the Securities that would reasonably be expected to constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(c)           In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Issuers and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

 

(d)           In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers and the Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) or 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the Issuers and the Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Issuers and the Guarantors all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

(e)           If the Issuers and the Guarantors shall give any notice pursuant to Section 3(d) hereof to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall extend the period during which such Shelf Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions.  Any such suspensions shall not, in the aggregate, exceed 90 days during any 365-day period.

 

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(f)            The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering.  In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering.

 

4.             Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.  (a)  The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(b)           In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(e) of this Agreement), if requested by the Initial Purchasers or by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above.  The Issuers and the Guarantors further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus during such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

 

(c)           The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to either of the Issuers, any Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

 

5.             Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  Each Issuer and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other

 

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expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act (“Issuer FWP”), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing by or on behalf of such Initial Purchaser or selling Holder expressly for use therein.  In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement.

 

(b)           Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors, each officer of the Issuers and the Guarantors who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Issuer FWP.

 

(c)           If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under this Section 5 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this Section 5.  If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person

 

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and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred.  In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them.  It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.  Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Issuers.  The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

 

(d)           If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute

 

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to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers and the Guarantors or by the Holders, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

(e)           The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above.  The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(f)            The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

 

(g)           The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Issuers or the Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Issuers or the Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

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6.             General.

 

(a)           No Inconsistent Agreements.   The Issuers and the Guarantors represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)           Amendments and Waivers.   The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Issuers and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder.  Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

(c)           Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Issuers by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Issuers and the Guarantors, initially at the Issuers’ address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c).  All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.  Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

 

(d)           Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other

 

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disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.  If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.  The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Issuers or the Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

 

(e)           Third Party Beneficiaries.  Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made between the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.

 

(f)            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(g)           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(h)           Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(j)            Miscellaneous.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.  The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

 

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

 

Issuers:

 

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

 

Name: Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title: Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

 

MARKWEST ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name: Andrew L. Schroeder

Title: Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

Guarantors:

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST HYDROCARBON, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MASON PIPELINE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST HYDROCARBON, INC.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST ENERGY OPERATING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

BASIN PIPELINE L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member and Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST ENERGY APPALACHIA, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST ENERGY EAST TEXAS GAS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MARKWEST BLACKHAWK, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST GAS SERVICES, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST JAVELINA COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MARKWEST JAVELINA PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST LIBERTY GAS GATHERING, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST MICHIGAN PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MARKWEST NEW MEXICO, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST PINNACLE, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST PIONEER, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MARKWEST PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST PNG UTILITY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST POWER TEX, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MARKWEST TEXAS PNG UTILITY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C., 

 

 

 

its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST OKLAHOMA GAS COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

WEST SHORE PROCESSING COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member and Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

MATREX, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Basin Pipeline L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Sole Member and Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MarkWest Energy Operating Company, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

MARKWEST MARKETING, L.L.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY OPERATING
COMPANY, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

 

 

 

its Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

MARKWEST ENERGY GP, L.L.C.,

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANDREW L. SCHROEDER

 

Name:

Andrew L. Schroeder

 

Title:

Vice President Finance, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS CORPORATION

WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

FORTIS SECURITIES LLC

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

 

By:  J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

 

By:

/s/ ADAM BERNARD

 

 

Name: Adam Bernard

 

Title: Executive Director

 


EX-99.1 3 a08-13194_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.

Contact:

Frank Semple, President and CEO

1515 Arapahoe Street

 

Nancy Buese, Senior VP and CFO

Tower 2, Suite 700

 

Andy Schroeder, VP of Finance/Treasurer

Denver, CO 80202

Phone:

(866) 858-0482

 

Fax:

(303) 925-8709

 

E-mail

investorrelations@markwest.com

 

Website: www.markwest.com

 

MarkWest Energy Partners Announces $100 Million Follow-on Debt Offering

 

DENVER—April 28, 2008— MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:MWE) and its subsidiary, MarkWest Energy Finance Corporation, announced today a $100 million follow-on offering of its 8.75% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (the “Senior Notes”). The notes priced at 102% of the principal amount to yield 8.4%. The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to support its organic growth capital budget.

 

On April 15, 2008, MarkWest completed a private placement of $400 million of 8.75% Senior Notes due 2018 to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A. The notes from the follow-on offering announced today and the notes issued on April 15, 2008, will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the indenture.

 

The Senior Notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-U.S. persons under Regulation S. The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the Senior Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities.

 

###

 

MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:MWE) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership engaged in the gathering, transportation, and processing of natural gas; the transportation, fractionation, marketing, and storage of natural gas liquids; and the gathering and transportation of crude oil. MarkWest has extensive natural gas gathering, processing, and transmission operations in the southwestern and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and is the largest natural gas processor in the Appalachian region  The primary business strategy of MarkWest is to provide outstanding customer service at competitive rates and to expand its assets and cash flow available for distribution through a balanced combination of organic growth projects and selective acquisitions.

 

This press release includes “forward-looking statements.”  All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary significantly from those expressed or implied in such statements and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that affect our operations, financial performance, and other factors as discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the SEC. You are urged to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and other disclosures made in those filings, specifically those under the heading “Risk Factors.”  We do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

 


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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----