Long-term Debt

Obligations in the form of senior notes and borrowings under the credit facilities are as follows:



	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Senior notes	$	1,355,147		$	856,061
Revolving loans	332,000			285,000
Total	1,687,147			1,141,061
Less: current portion	—			—
Long-term debt	$	1,687,147		$	1,141,061
Availability under revolving credit facility:
Total credit facility limit	$	900,000		$	900,000
Revolving loans	(332,000		)	(285,000		)
Letters of credit	(19,000		)	(16,015		)
Total available	$	549,000		$	598,985

Long-term debt maturities as of December 31, 2011 for each of the next five years are as follows:



Year Ended December 31,	Amount
2012	$	—
2013	—
2014	332,000
2015	—
2016	250,000
Thereafter	1,100,000
Total	$	1,682,000	*

_______________________


*	Excludes an unamortized premium of $5.1 million as of December 31, 2011.

In the year ended December 31, 2011, the Partnership borrowed $940 million under its revolving credit facility; these borrowings were primarily to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. During the same period, the Partnership repaid $893 million with proceeds from an equity offering and an issuance of senior notes. In the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Partnership borrowed $603 million and $191.7 million, respectively; these funds were used primarily to finance capital expenditures and acquisitions. During the same periods, the Partnership repaid $737.6 million, and $540.8 million, respectively, of these borrowings with proceeds from equity offerings.

Revolving Credit Facility. The Partnership, through RGS, has a $900 million revolving credit facility, including the availability for letters of credit of $200 million, that expires on June 15, 2014. RGS also has the option to request an additional $250 million in revolving commitments with ten business days written notice provided that no event of default has occurred or would result due to such increase, and all other additional conditions for the increase of the commitments set forth in the revolving credit facility have been met.

In March 2010, RGS entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that extended the maturity date of this facility to June 15, 2014 from August 15, 2011. The Partnership treated the March 2010 amendment of the revolving credit facility as a modification of an existing revolving credit agreement and, therefore, wrote off debt issuance costs of $1.8 million to interest expense, net in the period from January 1, 2010 to May 25, 2010. In addition, the Partnership paid and capitalized $15.9 million of loan fees which will be amortized over the remaining term. In May 2010, the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amended certain definitions to include MEP, to allow for the pledge of the equity interest in MEP as indirect collateral, to permit certain investments in MEP by the Partnership and its affiliates and to require that the Partnership and its subsidiaries maintain a senior consolidated secured leverage ratio not to exceed three to one.

In May 2011, RGS amended its Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to permit the acquisition of equity interests in Lone Star and to allow for additional investments in Lone Star of up to $150 million. In December 2011, certain definitions were amended to include ELG and Ranch JV, allow for additional investments in Lone Star and ELG and allow for investments in Ranch JV. As of December 31, 2011, RGS is allowed additional investments in Lone Star of up to $550 million; additional investment in ELG of up to $250 million; investment in Ranch JV of up to $50 million; and additional investment in HPC of up to $250 million less the Partnership's ownership portion of HPC's indebtedness. In addition, RGS is allowed an additional investment in any joint venture of up to $250 million.

The revolving credit facility and the guarantees are senior to the Partnership’s and the guarantors’ unsecured obligations, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations.

The outstanding balance under the of revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin or alternative base rate (equivalent to the U.S. prime lending rate) plus a margin, or a combination of both. The alternate base rate used to calculate interest on base rate loans will be calculated based on the greatest to occur of a base rate, a federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% and an adjusted one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin shall range from 1.50% to 2.25% for base rate loans, 2.50% to 3.25% for Eurodollar loans. The weighted average interest rates on the total amounts outstanding under the Partnership's revolving credit facility was 3.18%, 2.96%, 3.30% and 3.24% as of December 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, May 25, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

RGS must pay (i) a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% per annum of the unused portion of the revolving loan commitments, (ii) a participation fee for each revolving lender participating in letters of credit ranging from 2.50% to 3.25% per annum of the average daily amount of such lender’s letter of credit exposure and (iii) a fronting fee to the issuing bank of letters of credit equal to 0.125% per annum of the average daily amount of the letter of credit exposure. These fees are included in interest expense, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

The revolving credit facility contains financial covenants requiring RGS and its subsidiaries to maintain debt to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) ratio less than 5.25, consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense ratio greater than 2.75 and a secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio less than 3. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, RGS and its subsidiaries were in compliance with these covenants.

The revolving credit facility restricts the ability of RGS to pay dividends and distributions other than reimbursements of the Partnership for expenses and payment of dividends to the Partnership to the amount of available cash (as defined) so long as no default or event of default has occurred or is continuing. The revolving credit facility also contains various covenants that limit (subject to certain exceptions), among other things, the ability of RGS to:


•	incur indebtedness;


•	grant liens;


•	enter into sale and leaseback transactions;


•	make certain investments, loans and advances;


•	dissolve or enter into a merger or consolidation;


•	enter into asset sales or make acquisitions;


•	enter into transactions with affiliates;


•	prepay other indebtedness or amend organizational documents or transaction documents (as defined in the revolving credit facility);


•	issue capital stock or create subsidiaries; or


•	engage in any business other than those businesses in which it was engaged at the time of the effectiveness of the revolving credit facility or reasonable extensions thereof.

Senior Notes due 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2010, in connection with the issuance of $600 million of senior notes due 2018 as further described below, the Partnership redeemed all of its $357.5 million senior notes due 2013. Accordingly, a redemption premium of $17.2 million was charged to loss on debt refinancing, net in the consolidated statement of operations. In addition, the Partnership wrote off the unamortized loan fee of $5 million and unamortized bond premium of $6.4 million to a loss on debt refinancing, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Senior Notes due 2016. In May 2009, the Partnership and Finance Corp. issued $250 million of senior notes in a private placement that mature on June 1, 2016 ("2016 Notes"). The 2016 Notes bear interest at 9.375% with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1. The Partnership received net proceeds of $236.2 million upon issuance. The net proceeds were used to partially repay revolving loans under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility.

At any time before June 1, 2012, up to 35% of the 2016 Notes can be redeemed at a price of 109.375% plus accrued interest. Beginning June 1, 2013, the Partnership may redeem all or part of these notes at the redemption prices, expressed as percentages of the principal amount, set forth below:



June 1 of year ending:		Percentage of Redemption
2013		104.688%
2014		102.344%
2015 and thereafter		100.000%

At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Partnership may also redeem all or part of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus accrued interest and the applicable premium, which equals to the greater of (1) 1% of the principal amount of the note; or (2) the excess of the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the note at June 1, 2013 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the note through June 1, 2013, computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate (as defined) as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over the principal amount of the note.

Upon a change of control (as defined), each noteholder will be entitled to require the Partnership to purchase all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price of 101% plus accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any. The Partnership’s ability to purchase the notes upon a change of control will be limited by the terms of our debt agreements, including the Partnership’s revolving credit facility. Subsequent to the ETE Acquisition, no noteholder exercised this option.

The 2016 Notes contain various covenants that limit, among other things, the Partnership’s ability, and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries, to:


•	incur additional indebtedness;


•	pay distributions on, or repurchase or redeem equity interests;


•	make certain investments;


•	incur liens;


•	enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and


•	sell assets, consolidate or merge with or into other companies.

If the 2016 Notes achieve investment grade ratings by both Moody’s and S&P and no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Partnership will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. At December 31, 2011, the Partnership was in compliance with these covenants.

Senior Notes due 2018. In October, 2010, the Partnership and Finance Corp. issued $600 million of senior notes that mature on December 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes"). The 2018 Notes bear interest at 6.875% paid semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1, commencing June 1, 2011. The Partnership capitalized $12.2 million in debt issuance costs that will be amortized to interest expense, net over the term of the senior notes. The proceeds were used to redeem the senior notes due 2013 and to partially repay outstanding borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility.

At any time before December 1, 2013, up to 35% of the 2018 Notes can be redeemed at a price of 106.875% plus accrued interest. Beginning December 1, 2014, the Partnership may redeem all or part of these notes at the redemption prices, expressed as percentages of the principal amount, set forth below:



December 1 of year ending:		Percentage of Redemption
2014		103.438%
2015		101.719%
2016 and thereafter		100.000%

At any time prior to December 1, 2014, the Partnership may also redeem all or part of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued interest and the applicable premium, which equals the greater of (1) 1% of the principal amount of the note; or (2) the excess of the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the note at December 1, 2014 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the note through December 1, 2014, computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate (as defined) as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over the principal amount of the note.

Upon a change of control (as defined) followed by a rating decline within 90 days, each holder of the 2018 Notes will be entitled to require the Partnership to purchase all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price of 101% plus accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any. The Partnership's ability to purchase the notes upon a change of control will be limited by the terms of its debt agreements, including the Partnership’s revolving credit facility.

The 2018 Notes contain various covenants that limit, among other things, our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to:


•	incur additional indebtedness;


•	pay distributions on, or repurchase or redeem equity interests;


•	make certain investments;


•	incur liens;


•	enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and


•	sell assets, consolidate or merge with or into other companies.

If the 2018 Notes achieve investment grade ratings by both Moody’s and S&P and no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Partnership will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. At December 31, 2011, the Partnership was in compliance with these covenants.

Senior Notes due 2021. In May 2011, the Partnership and Finance Corp. issued $500 million in senior notes that mature on July 15, 2021 ("2021 Notes"). The 2021 Notes bear interest at 6.5% payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2012. The Partnership capitalized $9.8 million in debt issuance costs that will be amortized to interest expense, net over the term of the 2021 Notes. The proceeds were used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility.

At any time prior to July 15, 2014, the Partnership may redeem up to 35% of the 2021 Notes at a price equal to 106.5% plus accrued interest. Beginning on July 15 of the years indicated below, the Partnership may redeem all or part of the 2021 Notes at the redemption prices, expressed as percentages of the principal amount, set forth below:



July 15 of year ending:	Percentage of Redemption
2016	103.250	%
2017	102.167	%
2018	101.083	%
2019 and thereafter at 100%	100.000	%

At any time prior to July 15, 2016, the Partnership may also redeem all or part of the notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued interest and the applicable premium, which equals the greater of (1) 1% of the principal amount of the note; or (2) the excess of the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the note at July 15, 2016 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the note through July 15, 2016, computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate (as defined) as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over the principal amount of the note.

Upon a change of control, as defined in the indenture, followed by a rating decline within 90 days, each holder of the 2021 Notes will be entitled to require the Partnership to purchase all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price of 101% plus accrued interest and liquidated damages, if any. The Partnership’s ability to purchase the notes upon a change of control will be limited by the terms of our debt agreements, including the Partnership’s revolving credit facility.

The 2021 Notes contain various covenants that limit, among other things, the Partnership’s ability, and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries, to:


•	incur additional indebtedness;


•	pay distributions on, or repurchase or redeem equity interests;


•	make certain investments;


•	incur liens;


•	enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and


•	sales assets, consolidate or merge with or into other companies.

If the 2021 Notes achieve investment grade ratings by both Moody’s and S&P and no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Partnership will no longer be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. At December 31, 2011, the Partnership was in compliance with these covenants.

The 2016 Notes, 2018 Notes, and 2021 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by all of the Partnership’s current consolidated subsidiaries, other than Finance Corp. and a minor subsidiary, and by certain of its future subsidiaries. The senior notes and the guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the Partnership’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured obligations. The senior notes and the guarantees will be senior in right of payment to any of the Partnership’s and the guarantors’ future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes and the guarantees. The senior notes and the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to the Partnership’s and the guarantors’ secured obligations, including the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations.

Finance Corp. has no operations and will not have revenues other than as may be incidental as co-issuer of the senior notes. Since the Partnership has no independent operations, the guarantees are fully unconditional and joint and several of its subsidiaries, except for a minor subsidiary, the Partnership has not included condensed consolidated financial information of guarantors of the senior notes.