EX-10.2 4 dex102.htm REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY, DATED AS OF APRIL 23, 2007. Revolving Credit Facility, dated as of April 23, 2007.

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Counterpart


FACILITY CUSIP No.

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of April 23, 2007

among

ENERGY PARTNERS, LTD.,

as Borrower,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

and BNP PARIBAS,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

and BMO CAPITAL MARKETS FINANCING, INC.,

as Co-Documentation Agents,

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

        Page

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

   1

1.01

   Defined Terms    1

1.02

   Other Interpretive Provisions    26

1.03

   Accounting Terms    27

1.04

   Rounding    27

1.05

   Times of Day    27

1.06

   Letter of Credit Amounts    27

ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

   28

2.01

   The Loans    28

2.02

   Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Revolving Credit Loans    28

2.03

   Letters of Credit    30

2.04

   Voluntary Prepayments    39

2.05

   Required Prepayments    40

2.06

   Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments    42

2.07

   Repayment of Loans    42

2.08

   Interest    42

2.09

   Fees    43

2.10

   Computation of Interest and Fees    44

2.11

   Evidence of Debt    44

2.12

   Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback    44

2.13

   Sharing of Payments    46

2.14

   Initial Borrowing Base    47

2.15

   Subsequent Determinations of Borrowing Base    47

ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

   49

3.01

   Taxes    49

3.02

   Illegality    52

3.03

   Inability to Determine Rates    52

3.04

   Increased Costs    53

3.05

   Compensation for Losses    55

3.06

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders    55

3.07

   Survival    56

ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

   56

4.01

   Conditions of Initial Credit Extension    56

4.02

   Conditions to all Credit Extensions    58

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   59

5.01

   Existence, Qualification and Power    59

5.02

   Authorization; No Contravention    59

5.03

   Governmental Authorization; Other Consents    59

5.04

   Binding Effect    59

 

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5.05

   Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect    59

5.06

   Litigation    60

5.07

   No Default    60

5.08

   Environmental Compliance    60

5.09

   Insurance    61

5.10

   Taxes    61

5.11

   ERISA Compliance    62

5.12

   Subsidiaries; Organization Information    62

5.13

   Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act    62

5.14

   Disclosure    63

5.15

   Compliance with Laws    63

5.16

   Solvency    63

5.17

   Casualty, Etc.    63

5.18

   Restriction on Liens    63

5.19

   Properties; Titles, Etc.    64

5.20

   Maintenance of Properties    65

5.21

   Gas Imbalances, Prepayments    66

5.22

   Marketing of Production    66

5.23

   Purchasers of Production    66

5.24

   Taxpayer Identification Number    66

5.25

   Existing Swap Transactions    67

ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

   67

6.01

   Financial Statements    67

6.02

   Certificates; Other Information    68

6.03

   Notices    71

6.04

   Payment of Obligations    72

6.05

   Preservation of Existence, Etc.    72

6.06

   Maintenance of Properties    73

6.07

   Maintenance of Insurance    73

6.08

   Compliance with Laws    73

6.09

   Books and Records    73

6.10

   Inspection Rights    73

6.11

   Use of Proceeds    74

6.12

   Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security    74

6.13

   Title Information    75

6.14

   Production Proceeds    76

6.15

   Mortgaged Property Covenants    76

6.16

   Required Swap Transactions    77

6.17

   Further Assurances; Environmental Reports    77

ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

   78

7.01

   Liens    78

7.02

   Investments    79

7.03

   Indebtedness    80

7.04

   Fundamental Changes    82

 

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7.05

   Dispositions    82

7.06

   Restricted Payments    83

7.07

   Change in Nature of Business    84

7.08

   Transactions with Affiliates    84

7.09

   Burdensome Agreements    84

7.10

   Use of Proceeds    85

7.11

   Hedging Contracts    85

7.12

   Limitation on Leases    86

7.13

   Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments    86

7.14

   Limitation on Prepayment or Redemption of Indebtedness    86

7.15

   Financial Covenants    87

ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

   87

8.01

   Events of Default    87

8.02

   Remedies upon Event of Default    89

8.03

   Application of Funds    90

ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

   91

9.01

   Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent    91

9.02

   Rights as a Lender    91

9.03

   Exculpatory Provisions    91

9.04

   Reliance by Agent    92

9.05

   Delegation of Duties    92

9.06

   Resignation of Administrative Agent    93

9.07

   Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders    93

9.08

   No Other Duties, Etc.    94

9.09

   Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim    94

9.10

   Collateral and Guaranty Matters    94

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

   95

10.01

   Amendments, Etc.    95

10.02

   Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications    97

10.03

   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies    99

10.04

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.    99

10.05

   Payments Set Aside    101

10.06

   Successors and Assigns    102

10.07

   Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality    106

10.08

   Right of Setoff    106

10.09

   Interest Rate Limitation    107

10.10

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness    107

10.11

   Survival of Representations and Warranties    107

10.12

   Severability    108

10.13

   Replacement of Lenders    108

10.14

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.    109

10.15

   Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury    110

10.16

   No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility    110

10.17

   USA PATRIOT Act Notice    110

10.18

   Time of the Essence    111

 

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SCHEDULES

 

1.2

   Description of property covered by Announced Divestiture

2.01

   Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments and Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages

4.01

   Security Documents

5.06

   Litigation

5.08

   Environmental

5.12

   Subsidiaries

5.17

   Casualty Matters

5.21

   Gas Imbalances, Take or Pay, etc.

5.22

   Marketing Contracts

5.23

   Existing Purchasers of Production

5.25

   Existing SWAP Transactions

7.02

   Investments

7.03

   Indebtedness

10.02

   Addresses

EXHIBITS

 

Form of

A

   Loan Notice

B

   Note

C

   Guarantee and Collateral Agreement

D

   Compliance Certificate

E

   Assignment and Assumption

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 23, 2007, among ENERGY PARTNERS, LTD., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Collateral Agent.

Borrower has requested that Lenders provide a revolving credit facility, and Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent Fee Letter” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09 (b).

Administrative Agent’s Office” means Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to Borrower and Lenders.

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

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

Agent” means Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments” means the Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders, but in no event to exceed the Maximum Revolving Credit Amount.

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.

Announced Divestiture” means the Disposition by Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries of all, or a substantial portion, of the property described in Schedule 1.2, as publicly announced by Borrower on March 12, 2007.


Applicable Rate” means, from time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Borrowing Base Usage:

 

Pricing
Level

  

Borrowing Base Usage

   Unused Fee    

Eurodollar Rate +

Letters of Credit

    Base Rate +  

1

   greater than or equal to 100%    0.500 %   2.50 %   0.50 %

2

   less than 100% but greater than or equal to 90%    0.500 %   2.00 %   0.25 %

3

   less than 90% but greater than or equal to 75%    0.375 %   1.75 %   0.00 %

4

   less than 75% but greater than or equal to 50%    0.375 %   1.50 %   0.00 %

5

   less than 50% but greater than or equal to 25%    0.300 %   1.25 %   0.00 %

6

   less than 25%    0.250 %   1.00 %   0.00 %

Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time. If the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable. “Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Arranger” means Banc of America Securities LLC, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole book manager.

Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b), and accepted by Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by Administrative Agent.

 

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Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other applicable agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease and (c) all Synthetic Debt of such Person.

Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date for Revolving Credit Loans, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

Borrowing Base” means, at the particular time in question, either the amount provided for in Section 2.14 or the amount determined by Administrative Agent and Supermajority Lenders (or all Lenders in the case of an increase in the Borrowing Base) in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 (a), (b) or (c); as reduced pursuant to Section 2.15(d); provided, however, that in no event shall the Borrowing Base ever exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

3


Borrowing Base Deficiency” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Borrowing Base Period” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

Borrowing Base Usage” means on any date the percentage, at the close of business on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day, equivalent to the (i) Total Revolving Credit Outstandings divided by (ii) the Borrowing Base.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.

Cash Collateralize” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g).

Cash Equivalents” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created under the Security Documents):

(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, or, in the case of any CFC, a bank organized in a jurisdiction in which the CFC conducts operations having assets in excess of $500,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) in each case with maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types set forth in clause (a) or (c) above;

 

4


(e) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, other customarily utilized high-quality investment in the country where such Subsidiary is located or such investment is made; and

(f) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P, and the portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this definition.

CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

CFC” means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than the Equity Investors becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total equity securities of Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

(b) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)

 

5


above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors); or

(c) a “change of control” or any comparable term under, and as defined in, any Senior Note Indenture shall have occurred.

Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral” means all property of any kind which is subject to a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Lenders or which, under the terms of any Security Document, is purported to be subject to such a Lien.

Collateral Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as collateral agent under any of the Security Documents securing the Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations, or any successor collateral agent thereunder.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

Consolidated EBITDAX” means, for any Measurement Period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, without duplication (a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income for such period: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable by Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iii) depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration and dry hole expense and other similar non-cash charges and noncash compensation expenses, (iv) non cash charges resulting from FASB 133, FASB 143 or FASB 144, as amended, and (v) any non-recurring or unusual losses during such period to the extent that same are acceptable to Borrower and Administrative Agent, and (b) the following one time charges to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income for such period: (i) other general and administrative expenses attributable to $43.5 million related to the fee advanced by Borrower to Plains Exploration and Production Company on behalf of Stone Energy Corporation (“Stone”) to terminate their merger agreement, (ii) $8.0 million Borrower paid to Stone to terminate Borrower’s merger agreement with Stone, (iii) legal and financial advisory costs of $15.0 million associated with the Borrower’s merger agreement with Stone and its subsequent termination, the unsolicited third party offer in 2006 and the ongoing strategic alternatives process and (iv) the increase in 2006 over the amount in 2005 in stock based compensation in the amount of $3.9 million due to the adoption in 2006 of the fair-value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Standards No. 123 (R), “Share Based Payment” and minus (c) (i) all noncash (other than the accrual of revenue or recording of receivables in the ordinary course of business) items increasing such Consolidated Net Income

 

6


for such period, and (ii) any non-recurring or unusual gains during such period to the extent that same are acceptable to Borrower and Administrative Agent.

Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any Measurement Period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the portion of rent expense under Capitalized Leases of Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDAX to (b) Consolidated Interest Charges (excluding, however, non-cash interest in respect of original issue discount, other prepaid interest, and other expenses associated with this Agreement that constitute non-cash items in the period in which they must be expensed by Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, to the extent that same would otherwise be included in Consolidated Interest Charges), in each case, of or by Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.

Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the following Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (without duplication) (i) Indebtedness of the types described in clauses (a) and/or (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness”, (ii) plus any other Indebtedness that would properly be characterized as long-term indebtedness on the financial statements of Borrower, and (iii) Indebtedness of the types described in clause (h) of the definition of Indebtedness described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in each case determined on a consolidated basis, to (b) Consolidated EBITDAX of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any Measurement Period, with respect to Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which Borrower or any Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such period by such other Person to Borrower or to a Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or requirement of Governmental Authority applicable to such Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period, and (d) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets, including ceiling test writedowns; and provided further that for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, if Borrower or any Subsidiary shall acquire or Dispose of any material Property during the Measurement Period or after the Measurement Period and up to and including the date of the

 

7


consummation of such acquisition or Disposition, then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition (including the revenues of the Properties acquired), merger or Disposition, as if such acquisition, merger or Disposition had occurred on the first day of the Measurement Period.

Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

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

Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Debt Rating” means the rating determined by S&P or Moody’s respectively of the Indebtedness under this Agreement.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than L/C Fees an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan plus 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to L/C Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans or participations in L/C Obligations required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder or unless such failure has been cured, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or unless such failure has been cured, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

Determination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

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Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Obligations hereunder outstanding and all of the Revolving Credit Commitments are terminated.

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

Engineering Report” means each of the Initial Engineering Reports and each engineering report delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(d), (e) or (f).

Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

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

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares

 

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of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

Equity Issuance” means the consummation of the issuance (other than to any employees or directors) of Equity Interests of the Borrower after the date hereof.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Bloomberg L.P. (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

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Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or any other Loan Document, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its net income or profits, and franchise taxes (however denominated, including any such taxes imposed on or measured by overall gross income) or similar taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, or with which such recipient otherwise has nexus (other than nexus arising solely from receiving any payment or enforcing its rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document), (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender by any other jurisdiction as described in (a), (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 10.13), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to any law that was in effect at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a) , and (d) any U.S. federal backup withholding tax attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(f).

Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning given in Section 4.01(a)(x).

Existing Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated August 1, 2003 among Borrower and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, governing Borrower’s 8-3/4% Senior Notes.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.

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

 

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FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantors” means, collectively, the Subsidiaries of Borrower existing on the Closing Date and each other Subsidiary of Borrower that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section 6.12.

 

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Guaranty” means, collectively the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, made by the Guarantors in favor of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, together with each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12.

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

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Transaction;

(d) all obligations (net of reimbursement rights from other working interest owners) of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than 90 days after the date on which such trade account payable was created or which are being disputed in good faith);

(e) Indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including Indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such Indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person and all Synthetic Debt of such Person;

(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

 

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(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement or by operation of applicable Law, but only to the extent of such liability. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Transaction on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes imposed on any payment (or accrual in respect of such payment) made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or any other Loan Document, other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

Initial Engineering Reports” means, collectively, (i) the report concerning certain Oil and Gas Properties of Loan Parties as of December 31, 2006 prepared as of February 16, 2007 by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and (ii) the report concerning certain Oil and Gas Properties of Loan Parties as of December 31, 2006 prepared as of February 14, 2007 by Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants, L.P.

Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided that:

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of

 

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another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the L/C Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit.

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.

L/C Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing.

L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Expiration Date” means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date for Revolving Credit Loans then in effect (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

L/C Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).

 

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L/C Issuer” means (i) Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and (ii) any other Lender(s) that Borrower and Administrative Agent agree to designate as an “L/C Issuer”.

L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

L/C Sublimit” means an amount equal to $25,000,000. The L/C Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.

Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify Borrower and Administrative Agent.

Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder.

Lien” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “Lien” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations. For the purposes of this Agreement, Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Credit Loan.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranties, each Issuer Document, Administrative Agent Fee Letter, each Security Document, and each Secured Swap Transaction and the agreements and confirmations evidencing or governing each Secured Swap Transaction; provided that for purposes of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” and Articles IV through X, “Loan Documents” shall not include Secured Swap Transactions and the agreements and confirmations evidencing or governing each Secured Swap Transaction.

 

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Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, Borrower and each Guarantor.

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document or of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

Maturity Date” means April 23, 2011.

Maximum Revolving Credit Amount” means $300,000,000.

Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Borrower for which financial statements contemplated by Section 6.01(a) or (b) are available to Borrower.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgaged Property” means any Oil and Gas Properties owned by Loan Parties subject to the Liens under the Security Documents.

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or cash equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (B) the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such transaction and (C) income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith; provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to subclause (C) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds;

 

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(b) with respect to casualty, condemnation or payment in respect of indemnification, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such casualty, condemnation or payment in respect of indemnification (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with recovery of such amounts and (B) the amount applied to repair or replacement or the payment to any Person (other than Borrower or any Subsidiary) in respect of such casualty, condemnation or indemnification;

(c) with respect to the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money (but without this provision being construed to permit the incurrence of Indebtedness not otherwise permitted by Section 7.03) by Borrower or any Subsidiary, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such incurrence over (ii) the arrangement, upfront or underwriting fees, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence; and

(d) with respect to any Equity Issuance, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such issuance over (ii) the arrangement, upfront or underwriting fees, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance.

Note” means a promissory note made by Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

Oil and Gas Properties” means all oil, gas and/or mineral leases, oil, gas or mineral properties, mineral servitudes and/or mineral rights of any kind (including, without limitation, mineral fee interests, lease interests, farmout interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profits interests, oil payment interests, production payment interests and other types of mineral interests), and all oil and gas gathering, treating, storage, processing and handling assets.

Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

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

Outstanding Amount” means, on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Credit Loans occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

Overadvance Amount” means $25,000,000, as reduced pursuant to Section 2.05.

Overadvance Period” means the period from the Closing Date to the earlier of (i) April 23, 2008 or (ii) the date that the Overadvance Amount has been reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.05.

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

Permitted Liens” means:

(a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(d) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced;

(f) easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions, or reservations on or with respect to any real property, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not (i) securing Indebtedness, (ii) individually or in the aggregate materially impairing the value or marketability of such real property or (iii) individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the ordinary conduct of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such real property;

(g) Liens under the Security Documents; and

(h) with respect only to property subject to any particular Security Document, Liens burdening such property which are expressly allowed by such Security Document.

Provided, however, that Liens described in clauses (a) through (c) shall remain “Permitted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced and no intention to subordinate the first priority Lien granted in favor of Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of such Permitted Liens.

Permitted Transactions” means (i) the repurchase by the Borrower of up to 8,700,000 of its issued and outstanding its common shares for approximately $200 million at $23 per share, pursuant to the planned offer announced March 12, 2007 and (ii) the cash tender offer to purchase the Company’s outstanding 8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2010.

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

Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by Borrower or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

 

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Projected Oil and Gas Production” means the projected production of oil or gas (measured by volume unit or BTU equivalent, not sales price) for the term of any Swap Transaction or for a particular month, as applicable, from properties and interests owned by any Loan Party which are located in or offshore of the United States and which have attributable to them Proved Reserves, as such production is projected in the most recent report delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(d) or (e), after deducting projected production from any properties or interests Disposed of or under contract for Disposition that had been included in such report and after adding projected production from any properties or interests that had not been reflected in such report but that are reflected in a separate or supplemental reports meeting the requirements of such Section 6.02(d) or (e) and otherwise are satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

Proved Reserves” means “Proved Reserves” as defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves (in this paragraph, the “Definitions”) promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question. “Proved Developed Producing Reserves” means Proved Reserves as defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question, which are categorized as both “Developed” and “Producing” in the Definitions, “Proved Developed Nonproducing Reserves” means Proved Reserves which are categorized as both “Developed” and “Nonproducing” in the Definitions, and “Proved Undeveloped Reserves” means Proved Reserves which are categorized as “Undeveloped” in the Definitions.

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

PV” means the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ collective interests in Proved Reserves expected to be produced from Oil and Gas Properties during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves. Each calculation of such expected future net revenues shall be made in accordance with the then existing standards of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, provided that in any event (a) appropriate deductions shall be made for severance and ad valorem taxes, and for operating, gathering, transportation and marketing costs required for the production and sale of such reserves, (b) appropriate adjustments shall be made for hedging operations, (c) the pricing assumptions used in determining PV for any particular reserves shall be based upon the following price decks: (i) for natural gas, the quotation for deliveries of natural gas for each such year from the New York Mercantile Exchange for Henry Hub and (ii) for crude oil, the quotation for deliveries of West Texas Intermediate crude oil for each such calendar year from the New York Mercantile Exchange for Cushing, Oklahoma, and (d) the cash-flows derived from the pricing assumptions set forth in clauses (b) and (c) above shall be further adjusted to account for the historical basis differentials for each month during the preceding 12-month period calculated by comparing Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ realized natural gas and crude oil to the respective Henry Hub and Cushing, Oklahoma New York Mercantile Exchange prices for each month during such period.

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

 

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Registered Public Accounting Firm” has the meaning specified by the Securities Laws and shall be independent of Borrower as prescribed by the Securities Laws.

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

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Credit Loans, a Loan Notice and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a L/C Application.

Required Collateral” means Mortgaged Properties constituting at least 80% of PV, based upon the discounted present value of projected production from Proved Reserves evaluated in the Engineering Report most recently delivered for determination of either the Borrowing Base or Total Reserve Value or, in the case of Oil and Gas Properties acquired subsequent to such Engineering Report, based on such value determined by the Collateral Agent.

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50% of the Revolving Credit Facility or, if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, any vice president, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary, or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest or on account of any return of capital to Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment).

Revolving Credit Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and (b) purchase participations in

 

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L/C Obligations, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

Revolving Credit Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

Sarbanes-Oxley” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Scheduled Determinations” of the Borrowing Base means a determination of the Borrowing Base made pursuant to Section 2.15(a).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Parties” means, collectively, Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Swap Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Security Documents.

Secured Swap Obligations” means amounts owing in respect of any Secured Swap Transaction.

Secured Swap Transaction” means any Swap Transaction permitted under Section 7.11 that is entered into by and between Borrower and any Swap Bank.

Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sarbanes-Oxley, and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.

Security Documents” means the instruments listed in the Security Schedule and all other security agreements, deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, pledges, guaranties, financing statements, continuation statements, extension agreements and other agreements or instruments now, heretofore, or hereafter delivered by any Loan Party to a Collateral Agent in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to secure or guarantee the payment of any part of the Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations or the performance of any Loan Party’s other duties and obligations under the Loan Documents.

Security Schedule” means Schedule 4.01 hereto.

 

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Senior Notes” means (a) a new issue of senior notes and guarantees thereof to be issued on or prior to the Closing Date in the principal amount of up to $450,000,000, and (b) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof permitted by Section 7.03(b).

Senior Note Indenture” means each of (a) the Indenture governing the Senior Notes and (b) other Indentures or Indenture supplements entered into from time to time in governing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03(b).

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Special Determinations” of the Borrowing Base has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(c).

Subject Disposition” has the meaning specified in Section 7.05(g).

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Borrower.

Supermajority Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 66-2/3% of the Revolving Credit Facility.

Swap Bank” means any Person that, at the time it enters into a Secured Swap Transaction, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Secured Swap Transaction.

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Transactions, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Transactions, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Transactions have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-

 

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to-market value(s) for such Swap Transactions, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Transactions (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swap Transaction” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange master agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement.

Synthetic Debt” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, all obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered into by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds but are not otherwise included in the definition of “Indebtedness” or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including sale and lease back transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Threshold Amount” means $10,000,000.

Total Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets,

 

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determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

Unused Availability” means, at any time of determination, the amount by which the Borrowing Base plus, during the Overadvance Period, the Overadvance Amount exceeds the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings.

Unused Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09.

1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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1.03 Accounting Terms.

(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either Borrower or Required Lenders shall so request, Administrative Agent, Lenders and Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) Borrower shall provide to Administrative Agent and Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

1.05 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

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ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01 The Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Credit Loan”) to Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Borrowing Base plus during the Overadvance Period, the Overadvance Amount; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Borrowing Base, plus, during the Overadvance Period, the Overadvance Amount, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.04 or Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Revolving Credit Loans.

(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon Borrower’s irrevocable notice to Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the Business Day prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Not later than 11:00 a.m., three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as to Eurodollar Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all Lenders. Each telephonic notice by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Section 2.03(c) and any Borrowing of the then existing full availability under the Agreement, each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether Borrower is requesting Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or

 

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converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the applicable Revolving Credit Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by Borrower, Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to Borrower in like funds as received by Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) Administrative Agent by Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing is given by Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing first, shall be applied, to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to Borrower as provided above.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans and Borrower agrees to pay all amounts due under Section 3.05 in accordance with the terms thereof due to any such conversion.

(d) Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten Interest Periods in effect with respect to Revolving Credit Loans.

 

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2.03 Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Revolving Credit Commitment.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the L/C Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Borrowing Base plus, during the Overadvance Period, the Overadvance Amount, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, or (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the L/C Sublimit. Each request by Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:

(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iv), the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the L/C Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C

 

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Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer;

(C) except as otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000;

(D) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

(E) a default of any Lender’s obligations to fund under Section 2.03(c) exists or any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into satisfactory arrangements with Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s risk with respect to such Lender; or

(F) unless specifically provided for in this Agreement, such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX

 

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included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to Administrative Agent) in the form of a L/C Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower. Such L/C Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such L/C Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such L/C Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or Administrative Agent may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any L/C Application at the address set forth in Section 10.02 for receiving L/C Applications and related correspondence, the L/C Issuer will confirm with Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that Administrative Agent has received a copy of such L/C Application from Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an

 

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amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(iv) If Borrower so requests in any applicable L/C Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the L/C Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from Administrative Agent, any Lender or Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(v) If Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such

 

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non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “Non-Reinstatement Deadline”), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from Administrative Agent, any Lender or Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify Borrower and Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof. In such event, Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available to Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer at Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to Borrower in such amount. Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the

 

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Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

(iv) Until each Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the LC/ Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by Administrative Agent), Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by Administrative Agent.

(ii) If any payment received by Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of

 

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Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by Borrower which Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign

 

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a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

(g) Cash Collateral. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, (i) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) if, as of the L/C Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, Borrower shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations. Sections 2.05 and 8.02(a)(iii) set forth certain additional requirements to deliver Cash Collateral hereunder. For purposes hereof, “Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to by Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. Borrower hereby grants to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer and Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. If at any time Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than Collateral Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, Borrower will, forthwith upon demand by Administrative Agent, pay to Collateral Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate Outstanding Amount over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that Administrative Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the L/C Issuer.

(h) Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit) and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

(i) L/C Fees. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage a L/C fee (the “L/C Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. L/C Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be

 

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computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all L/C Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

(j) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in Administrative Agent Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such individual customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(k) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Documents, the terms hereof shall control.

(l) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of Borrower, and that Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

2.04 Voluntary Prepayments. Borrower may, upon notice to Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty except as provided in Section 2.04(b); provided that (i) such notice must be received by Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (B) one Business Day prior to any prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (iii) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based upon such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage). If such notice is given by

 

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Borrower, Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Each such prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Loans of Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages.

2.05 Required Prepayments.

(a) Except in the circumstances provided in Section 2.05(b), (c), (d) or (e) if at any time the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Borrowing Base on such date plus, during the Overadvance Period, the Overadvance Amount on such date (such excess being herein called a “Borrowing Base Deficiency”), Borrower shall, within ten days after Administrative Agent gives notice of such fact to Borrower, give notice to Administrative Agent that it has elected will do one or a combination of the following sufficient to eliminate such Borrowing Base Deficiency:

(i) prepay the principal of the Revolving Credit Loans (and after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) within ten days after such notice by Borrower in an aggregate amount at least equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency;

(ii) prepay the principal of the Revolving Credit Loans (and, after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateral the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) in monthly installments approved by Administrative Agent, but in no event to exceed six installments without the approval of Required Lenders, in an aggregate amount at least equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency, with the first such installment to be paid within thirty days after the giving of such notice by Borrower and the subsequent installments to be due and payable at one month intervals thereafter until such Borrowing Base Deficiency has been eliminated; or

(iii) submit to Administrative Agent with such notice, information regarding additional assets owned by Borrower or its Subsidiaries that were not previously considered in the determination of the Borrowing Base and within thirty days after such notice by Borrower provide to Administrative Agent deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, security agreements, financing statements and other security documents granting, confirming, and perfecting first and prior liens or security interests in such assets, in each case satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, the value of which shall be sufficient in the determination of Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, to increase the Borrowing Base to an amount which eliminates such Borrowing Base Deficiency; whereupon Borrower shall be obligated to provide such security documents within such thirty days after such notice by Borrower;

provided, however, to the extent that the installments under subsection (ii) of this Section 2.05(a) are not approved by Administrative Agent or Borrower is unable

 

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to demonstrate to the satisfaction of Administrative Agent within ten days after the date of any such election under subsection (ii) of this Section 2.05(a) that Borrower has sufficient available monthly cash from Projected Oil and Gas Production to pay such installments or to the extent Administrative Agent determines that such assets and security documents to be provided under subsection (iii) of this Section 2.05(a) will not be satisfactory or will not increase the Borrowing Base to an amount which eliminates such Borrowing Base Deficiency, then, within ten days after receiving notice of such determination from Administrative Agent, Borrower will make the prepayment specified in subsection (i) of this Section 2.05(a).

(b) During the Overadvance Period,

(i) on the date of the consummation of any Announced Divestiture, the incurrence or issuance by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 7.03) or the consummation of an Equity Issuance, the Overadvance Amount shall be reduced to zero; and

(ii) on the date of consummation of any Subject Disposition (other than an Announced Divestiture), the Overadvance Amount shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds attributable to such Disposition, minus the Borrowing Base value of the Oil and Gas Properties which are subject to such Disposition (which shall be the Borrowing Base value assigned thereto as determined by Administrative Agent, and which, in the case of any exchange, shall be the net reduction in the Borrowing Base value realized or resulting from such exchange).

On the last day of the Overadvance Period to the extent the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Borrowing Base as a result of the elimination of the Overadvance Amount, the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans (and after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) in the amount of such excess.

(c) On the date of the consummation of any Subject Disposition, if the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed or would exceed the Borrowing Base (including as a result of the elimination or reduction of the Overadvance Amount pursuant to Section 2.05(b) and the reduction of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.15(d)) (for the avoidance of doubt, it is not intended that the Borrowing Base shall be redetermined solely by virtue of the occurrence of an Announced Divestiture), the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans (and after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) in amount of such excess.

(d) Upon the incurrence or issuance by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness expressly permitted to be incurred or issued

 

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pursuant to Section 7.03), if the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed or would exceed the Borrowing Base (including as a result of the elimination of the Overadvance Amount pursuant to Section 2.05(b)), the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans (and after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) in amount of such excess.

(e) On the date of the consummation of an Equity Issuance, if the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed or would exceed the Borrowing Base (including as a result of the elimination of the Overadvance Amount pursuant to Section 2.05(b)), the Borrower shall make a mandatory prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans (and after all Revolving Credit Loans are repaid in full, Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 2.03(g)) in amount of such excess.

2.06 Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments. Borrower may, upon notice to Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments or the L/C Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. If following any such reduction or termination, the Borrowing Base exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrowing Base shall be reduced to the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments automatically without further action by any Person. Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

2.07 Repayment of Loans. Borrower shall repay to Lenders on the Maturity Date for Revolving Credit Loans the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.

2.08 Interest.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus, the Applicable Rate; and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding

 

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principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (after taking into account any applicable grace periods) and an Event of Default results therefrom, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (after taking into account any applicable grace periods) and an Event of Default results therefrom, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

2.09 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (i) and (j) of Section 2.03:

(a) Unused Fee. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage, an unused fee (the “Unused Fee”) equal to the Applicable Rate times the Unused Availability. The unused fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The Unused Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b) Administrative Agent’s Fees. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for Administrative Agent’s own account, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the letter agreement, dated March 13, 2007 (the “Administrative Agent Fee Letter”), between Borrower

 

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and Administrative Agent. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall be nonrefundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by Bank of America’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

2.11 Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by Lenders to Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through Administrative Agent, Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower hereunder shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment

 

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is owed, at Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 12:00 noon on the date specified herein. Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein), of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and Borrower severally agree to pay to Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to Borrower the amount of such interest paid by Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to Administrative Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that Borrower will not make such payment, Administrative Agent may assume that Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then

 

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each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of Administrative Agent to any Lender or Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to Borrower by Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and to make payments under Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(f) Insufficient Funds. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.

2.13 Sharing of Payments. (a) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative

 

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Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Committed Loans and other amounts owing them.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations to any assignee or participant, other than to Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

(c) Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

2.14 Initial Borrowing Base. The initial Borrowing Base shall be $200,000,000.

2.15 Subsequent Determinations of Borrowing Base.

(a) By April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2007, Borrower shall furnish to each Lender all information, reports and data which Administrative Agent has then requested concerning Loan Parties’ businesses and properties (including their oil and gas properties and interests and the reserves and production relating thereto), together with, as applicable, the Engineering Report as of January 1 described in Section 6.02(d) or as of July 1 described in Section 6.02(e). Within thirty calendar days after receiving such information, reports and data, or as promptly thereafter as practicable, Administrative Agent shall, in good faith, determine the amount of a proposed Borrowing Base. Administrative Agent shall then deliver to each Lender such proposed Borrowing Base. Within fifteen calendar days after the Lenders’ receipt thereof, or as promptly thereafter as practicable, Supermajority Lenders shall, in good faith, agree upon an amount for the Borrowing Base (provided that all Lenders must agree upon any increase in the Borrowing Base), which need not be equal to such proposed Borrowing Base. If Borrower has specified to Administrative Agent a maximum Borrowing Base requested by Borrower at the time of its delivery of information, reports and data contemplated by this Section, Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such request, and the Borrowing Base determined by Supermajority

 

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Lenders (or all Lenders, as applicable) shall not exceed such requested amount. Such determinations by Administrative Agent or any Lenders constituting Supermajority Lenders (or all Lenders, as applicable) shall determine the amount of the Borrowing Base based upon the loan collateral value which they in their sole discretion assign to the discounted net present value of the various oil and gas properties included in the Collateral of Loan Parties at the time in question and based upon such other credit factors (including without limitation the assets, liabilities, cash flow, hedged and unhedged exposure to price, foreign exchange rate, and interest rate changes, business, properties, prospects, management and ownership of Loan Parties and their Affiliates) as they in their sole discretion deem significant in accordance with their respective normal and customary lending practices. If Supermajority Lenders (or all Lenders in the case of an increase in the Borrowing Base) have not approved the Borrowing Base within the fifteen calendar day period after their receipt of such proposed Borrowing Base, Administrative Agent shall poll Lenders to ascertain the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute Supermajority Lenders (or all Lenders in the case of an increase in the Borrowing Base) and such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base. Administrative Agent shall by notice to Borrower designate such amount as the new Borrowing Base available to Borrower hereunder, which designation shall take effect immediately on the date such notice is sent (herein called a “Determination Date”) and shall remain in effect until but not including the next date as of which the Borrowing Base is redetermined (each a “Borrowing Base Period”). IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD THAT, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, LENDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO AGREE UPON OR DESIGNATE THE BORROWING BASE AT ANY PARTICULAR AMOUNT, WHETHER IN RELATION TO THE MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT OR OTHERWISE, AND THAT LENDERSCOMMITMENTS TO ADVANCE FUNDS HEREUNDER IS DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE BORROWING BASE FROM TIME TO TIME IN EFFECT, WHICH BORROWING BASE SHALL BE USED FOR CALCULATING UNUSED FEES UNDER SECTION 2.09 AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF CAPITAL ADEQUACY DETERMINATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS UNDER SECTION 3.04.

(b) If Borrower does not furnish all such information, reports and data by the date specified in the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section, Administrative Agent may nonetheless designate the Borrowing Base at any amount that Supermajority Lenders determine and may redesignate the Borrowing Base from time to time thereafter (provided that all Lenders must agree to any increase in the Borrowing Base) until each Lender receives all such information, reports and data, whereupon Supermajority Lenders (or all Lenders, as applicable) shall designate a new Borrowing Base as described above.

(c) In addition to the redeterminations of the Borrowing Base pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, Borrower and Administrative Agent (or Administrative Agent at the request of Required Lenders) may each request additional determinations (“Special Determinations”) of the Borrowing Base from time to time; provided, that Borrower may request no more than one Special Determinations in any calendar year and Administrative Agent (or Administrative Agent at the Request of Required Lenders) may request no more than one Special Determinations in any calendar year thereafter. In the event Administrative Agent (or Administrative Agent at the

 

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request of Required Lenders) requests such a Special Determination, Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver notice of such request to Borrower and Borrower shall, within thirty (30) calendar days following the date of such request, deliver to Lenders an Engineering Report prepared by petroleum engineers who are employees of Borrower as of the last day of the calendar month preceding the date of such request and such other information which Administrative Agent shall have requested. In the event Borrower requests a Special Determination, Borrower shall deliver written notice of such request to Lenders which shall include (i) an Engineering Report prepared as of a date not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such request (or, in the case of a request made on the 31st day of any calendar month, thirty-one (31) days), (ii) the amount of the Borrowing Base requested by Borrower and to become effective on the Determination Date applicable to such Special Determination and (iii) such other information which Administrative Agent shall have reasonably requested. Upon receipt of such Engineering Report and other information, Administrative Agent shall, subject to approval of Supermajority Lenders, or all Lenders in the event of a proposed increase in the Borrowing Base, redetermine the Borrowing Base in accordance with the procedure set forth in subsection (a) of this section, which Borrowing Base shall become effective on the Determination Date (or as soon thereafter as Administrative Agent and Supermajority Lenders, or all Lenders in the event of a proposed increase in the Borrowing Base, approve such Borrowing Base and provide notice thereof to Borrower).

(d) In addition to Scheduled Determinations and Special Determinations, the Borrowing Base shall automatically reduce, simultaneously with the completion by any Loan Party of any Subject Disposition (other than an Announced Divestiture) resulting in Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $10,000,000.

(e) either individually or in the aggregate since the date of the then most recent Scheduled Determination), by the Borrowing Base value of the Oil and Gas Properties which are subject to such Disposition (which shall be the Borrowing Base value assigned thereto as determined by Administrative Agent, and which, in the case of any exchange, shall be the net reduction in the Borrowing Base value realized or resulting from such exchange).

ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by Borrower to or on account of any obligation of Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if Borrower shall be required by any applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (or Other Taxes) from such payments, then, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions of such indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), Administrative Agent, Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such

 

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deductions been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such deductions, and (iii) Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by Borrower. Borrower shall indemnify Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority provided that Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer shall not be entitled to received any indemnification with respect to Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes that are incurred or accrued more than nine (9) months prior to the date such party gives notice and demand with respect thereto to Borrower (except if such incurrence or accrual is retroactively effective, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof) or where the liability to pay such Indemnified Tax or Other Tax has been incurred as a result of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent, any Lender, or the L/C Issuer (or their respective Affiliates, Agents or employees). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to Administrative Agent), or by Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, along with a reasonable detailed explanation of such liability, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

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

(e) Status of Lenders. Any Lender, if requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent, shall deliver such documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as will enable Borrower or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax or any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes under the law of the jurisdiction in which Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent,

 

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such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or reduction of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as will enable Borrower or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of Borrower or Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (B) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor form), or

(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(f) Status of U.S. Lenders. Without limiting the generality of Section 3.01(e), each Lender that is not a Foreign Lender (except for any Lender that is presumed to be a corporation pursuant to exempt indicators under Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of the Treasury Regulations or any successor provision) shall deliver to Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date that such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower or the Administrative Agent), duly completed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor or substitute form) confirming an exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any

 

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Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that Borrower, upon the request of Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer in the event Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it reasonably deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.

(h) If Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, each Lender, the L/C Issuer or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts (at Borrower’s expense) to cooperate with Borrower as Borrower may reasonably request in challenging such Indemnified Tax or Other Tax. Each Lender, the L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent agree to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Borrower as Borrower may reasonably request (at Borrower’s expense) to minimize any amount payable by Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.01(h).

3.02 Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Borrower through Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies Administrative Agent and Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted and all amounts due under Section 3.05 in accordance with the terms thereof due to such prepayment or conversion.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If Administrative Agent reasonably determines in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank Eurodollar

 

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market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurodollar Rate Loan, Administrative Agent will promptly so notify Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

3.04 Increased Costs.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Eurodollar Rate) or the L/C Issuer; or

(ii) subject any Lender or the L/C Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the L/C Issuer in respect thereof (except for the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (which shall be covered exclusively by Section 3.01) or the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Taxes); or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

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

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such

 

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Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans. Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

 

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3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent) from time to time, Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b) any failure by Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by Borrower;

(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of (i) any syndication activity in connection with the Revolving Credit Facility within 90 days after the Closing Date or (ii) a request by Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by Borrower to Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Base Rate used in determining the Eurodollar Rate for such Eurodollar Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

 

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3.07 Survival. All of Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of any or all of the Revolving Credit Commitments and repayment of the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to Administrative Agent, each Lender and Borrower and executed counterparts of each Security Document listed in the Security Schedule, sufficient in number for distribution to Administrative Agent and Borrower;

(ii) a Note executed by Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party;

(iv) such documents and certifications as Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(v) favorable opinions of counsel to the Loan Parties addressed to Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

(vi) a favorable opinion of local counsel to the Loan Parties in the states of Louisiana and Texas, addressed to Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

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(vii) a Closing Certificate and Initial Compliance Certificate, signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower, certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (C) the calculation demonstrating that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Measurement Period ended December 31, 2006 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Permitted Transactions and the offering of the Senior Notes does not exceed 2.0 to 1.0, and (D) to the Solvency of each Loan Party, which certificate shall also include a duly completed Compliance Certificate as of December 31, 2006;

(viii) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect;

(ix) evidence that all commitments under the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 2, 2006 among Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the other agents and lenders party thereto (the “Existing Credit Agreement”) have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being terminated, and all outstanding obligations thereunder paid in full and all Liens securing obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released;

(x) title review satisfactory to Administrative Agent with respect to Borrower’s oil and gas reserves representing 75% of PV;

(xi) annual business plan and budget of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of Borrower, in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a monthly basis for the balance of 2007; and

(xii) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or Required Lenders reasonably may require.

(b) Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.

(c) Unless waived by Administrative Agent, Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel, if requested by Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between Borrower and Administrative Agent).

 

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(d) The Closing Date shall have occurred on or before April 23, 2007.

(e) Borrower shall have received gross proceeds of $450,000,000 from the incurrence of the indebtedness of Borrower evidenced by the Senior Notes on or prior to the Closing Date.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) The representations and warranties of Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b), respectively, shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively.

(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c) Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Loans) submitted by Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

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ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Security Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Security Documents (including the first priority nature thereof), or (d) the exercise by Administrative Agent, either Collateral Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents, in each case, other than (i) the recording and filing of the Security Documents as required by this Agreement, and (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause a Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.

5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms.

5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered

 

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thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

(b) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The consolidated forecasted balance sheet, statements of income and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 or Section 6.01(c) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, Borrower’s best estimate of its future financial condition and performance; it being understood that such forecasts and other projections are inherently uncertain and that future results may vary materially therefrom.

5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any which challenge or otherwise pertain to any Loan Party’s title to any Collateral), or (b) except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.06, either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07 No Default. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to, or a party to, any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

5.08 Environmental Compliance.

(a) Borrower and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof Borrower has reasonably concluded that, except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.08, such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.08, none of the properties currently or, to the knowledge of Borrower, formerly owned or operated by any Loan

 

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Party or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or formally proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list.

(c) Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.08, or as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Adverse Effect: there are no underground or aboveground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the knowledge of the Loan Parties, on any property formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

(d) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 5.08, or as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law; and all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in material liability to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.09 Insurance. The properties and businesses of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, not Affiliates of Borrower, against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against, and of such types and in such amounts customarily carried under similar circumstances (after giving effect to any self-insurance or deductibles compatible with the following standards), in all cases by prudent companies that are engaged in the same or similar business, are similarly situated, own similar properties in localities where Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates, and are of like size, type and financial condition.

5.10 Taxes. Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except (i) those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) those which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no proposed tax assessment against Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.11 ERISA Compliance.

(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, except for failures which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and, to the best knowledge of Borrower, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have made all required contributions to each Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

5.12 Subsidiaries; Organization Information. As of the Closing Date, Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.12, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified in Schedule 5.12, free and clear of all Liens. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.12. As of the Closing Date, Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, its U.S. taxpayer identification number, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 5.12. The copy of the charter of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01(a), 6.02(q) or 6.12(b) is a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which is valid and in full force and effect, in each case as of the Closing Date.

5.13 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a) Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

 

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(b) None of Borrower, any Person Controlling Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

5.14 Disclosure. Borrower has disclosed to Administrative Agent and Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and as of the time they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, it being understood that such projected financial information is inherently uncertain and that future results may materially vary therefrom.

5.15 Compliance with Laws. Each of Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.16 Solvency. As of the Closing Date and as of the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower, each Loan Party is, individually and together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Solvent. Each Loan Party, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, is Solvent.

5.17 Casualty, Etc. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.17, neither the businesses nor the properties of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.18 Restriction on Liens. As of the Closing Date, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than Capital Leases or purchase money Liens permitted by Section 7.01, but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease or such purchase money Lien), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to Collateral Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Obligations, the Secured Swap Obligations and the Loan Documents.

 

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5.19 Properties; Titles, Etc.

(a) Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good and defensible title (or has earned an assignment which, upon receipt and, if required by applicable Laws, approved by any relevant Governmental Authority, will result in good and defensible title) to the working and net revenue interests in the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Engineering Report and good title to all its personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. After giving full effect to the Permitted Liens, Borrower or the Subsidiary specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties as reflected in the most recently delivered Engineering Report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate Borrower or such Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Engineering Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such Property. All such shares of production which Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary is entitled to receive, and shares of expenses which Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary is obligated to bear, are not subject to change, except as disclosed to Administrative Agent and reflected in such Engineering Report and except for changes attributable to future elections by Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary or other interest owners not to participate in operations proposed pursuant to customary forms of applicable joint operating agreements, and except for changes attributable to changes in participating areas under any federal units wherein participating areas may be formed, enlarged or contracted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the applicable Governmental Authority.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which would affect in any material respect the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) The leases which constitute any part of the Oil and Gas Properties are in full force and effect as to those portions within such Oil and Gas Properties, are valid, subsisting leases as to those portions within such Oil and Gas Properties to which they pertain and all rentals, royalties, overriding royalties, net profits or other production burdens and other amounts due and payable in accordance with the terms of the leases as to those portions within such Oil and Gas Properties have been duly paid or provided for; the obligations to be performed under the leases as to those portions within such Oil and Gas Properties have been duly performed; and Borrower is not aware of any default by any third party under any of the leases with respect to such third party’s obligations.

 

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(d) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by Borrower and its Subsidiaries including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit Borrower and its Subsidiaries to conduct their business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.

(e) All of the Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

(f) Borrower and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to its business, and the use thereof by Borrower and such Subsidiary does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower and its Subsidiaries either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.20 Maintenance of Properties. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and Properties unitized therewith) have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all requirements of Governmental Authorities and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties and other contracts and agreements forming a part of such Oil and Gas Properties. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of Borrower and its Subsidiaries is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (ii) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or Properties unitized therewith) is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by requirements of Governmental Authorities, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, the relevant Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties). All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and, with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in a manner consistent with Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 5.20 could not reasonably be expect to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

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5.21 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments. As of the date hereof, except as set forth on Schedule 5.21 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(h), on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor which, in the aggregate, are material.

5.22 Marketing of Production.

(a) Except for contracts listed on Schedule 5.22 and in effect on the date hereof, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Engineering Report (with respect to all of which contracts Borrower represents that it or its Subsidiaries are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties (including, without limitation, calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than nine (9) months from the date hereof.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.22 attached hereto, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is obligated, by virtue of any prepayment under any contract providing for the sale by Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary of Hydrocarbons which contains a “take-or-pay” clause or under any similar prepayment agreement or arrangement, including, without limitation, “gas balancing agreements”, to deliver a material amount of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor (i.e., in the case of oil, not in excess of sixty (60) days, and in the case of gas, not in excess of ninety (90) days). The Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any contractual, or other arrangement for the sale of crude oil which cannot be canceled on ninety (90) days’ (or less) notice, unless the price provided for therein is equal to or greater than the prevailing market price in the vicinity. The Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any gas sales contract that contains any material terms which are not customary in the industry within the region in which such Oil and Gas Properties affected thereby are located. The Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any regulatory refund obligation and no facts exist which might cause the same to be imposed.

5.23 Purchasers of Production. The persons who are purchasing Borrower’s or the relevant Subsidiary’s interests in oil and gas produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the calendar month during which this Agreement is executed are identified on Schedule 5.23 attached hereto.

5.24 Taxpayer Identification Number. Borrower’s true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 10.02.

 

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5.25 Existing Swap Transactions. Schedule 5.25, as of the date hereof, and, after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.02(i), sets forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Transactions of Borrower and each Subsidiary, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnity obligations) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each Subsidiary to:

6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to Administrative Agent, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and

(c) as soon as available, but in any event by April 1 of each year, beginning April 1, 2008, an annual business plan and budget of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of Borrower, in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and

 

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statements of income or operations and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the next 12 months (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date occurs.

6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

(a) Reserved;

(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower;

(c) promptly after any reasonable request by Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

(d) by April 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2008, Engineering Reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company or Netherland Sewell and Associates, or other independent petroleum engineers chosen by Borrower and acceptable to Administrative Agent and Required Lenders, concerning all Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Loan Party which are located in or offshore of the United States and which have attributable to them proved oil or gas reserves prepared as of the preceding January 1. This report shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, shall reflect a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, take into account actual experiences with leasehold operating expenses and other costs in determining projected leasehold operating expenses and other costs, shall take into account any “over-produced” or “under-produced” status under gas balancing arrangements, and shall contain information and analysis comparable in scope to that contained in the Initial Engineering Reports. This report shall reflect such information separately (i) using pricing and other assumptions reasonably specified by Administrative Agent for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base and (ii) in a manner consistent with SEC reporting requirements at the time and reflecting (and conforming to the definition of) PV, provided that such report must separately report on Proved Developed Producing Reserves, Proved Developed Nonproducing Reserves and Proved Undeveloped Reserves and separately calculate the PV of each such category of Proved Reserves for Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ interests. This report shall be accompanied by a certificate from an appropriate officer of Borrower which distinguishes those properties treated in the report which are Collateral from those properties treated in the report which are not Collateral;

(e) by October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2007, and promptly following notice of a Special Determination under Section 2.15(c), an Engineering Report prepared as of the preceding July 1 (or the last day of the preceding calendar month in the case of a Special Determination) by petroleum engineers who are employees of Borrower (or by the independent engineers named above), together with an accompanying report on

 

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material property sales, material property purchases and material changes in categories, both in the same form and scope as the reports in (d) above;

(f) in the event of a determination of the Borrowing Base or the Total Reserve Value as of a specified date other than January 1 and July 1, Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent and the Lenders an Engineering Report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of Borrower who shall certify such Engineering Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and to have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Engineering Report;

(g) with the delivery of each Engineering Report, Borrower shall provide to Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information provided by Borrower in connection with the preparation of the Engineering Report and any other information delivered by Borrower in connection therewith is true and correct, it being understood that certain of such information that is provided by Borrower may relate to projected sales volumes and other projections which are inherently uncertain and that future results may materially vary therefrom, (ii) Borrower or its Subsidiaries own good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Engineering Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Permitted Liens, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.13 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Engineering Report which would require Borrower or any Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Total Reserve Value determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Engineering Report which Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 5.22 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof, and (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Engineering Report that are Mortgaged Properties and demonstrating that the percentage of value of such Mortgaged Properties complies with Section 6.13;

(h) as soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter, a report describing by lease or unit the gross volume of production and sales attributable to production during such month from the properties described in the most recent Engineering Report and describing the related severance taxes, other taxes, and leasehold operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred during such month;

 

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(i) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a report describing the Swap Transactions of the Loan Parties, in form acceptable to Administrative Agent;

(j) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;

(k) as soon as available, but in any event by May 1 of each year, a report summarizing the insurance coverage (specifying type, amount and carrier) in effect for each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and containing such additional information as Administrative Agent, or any Lender through Administrative Agent, may reasonably specify;

(l) promptly, and in any event within ten Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except to the extent that any such correspondence relates solely to a public survey, questionnaire, or information request submitted by such Governmental Authority to any large segment of the Persons (including such Loan Party) subject to the jurisdiction of such Governmental Authority;

(m) not later than ten Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of all notices, requests and other documents (including amendments, waivers and other modifications) so received under or pursuant to any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement regarding or related to any breach or default by any party thereto or any other event that could materially impair the value of the interests or the rights of any Loan Party or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect and, from time to time upon request by Administrative Agent, such information and reports regarding such instruments, indentures and loan and credit and similar agreements as Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(n) promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could (i) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) cause any Mortgaged Property described in the Mortgages to be subject to any restrictions on ownership, occupancy, use or transferability under any Environmental Law;

(o) upon the occurrence thereof, written notice of any change in the matters represented in Section 5.12; and

(p) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by Administrative Agent) Except for such Compliance Certificates, Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

6.03 Notices. Promptly notify Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default;

(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;

(d) of the receipt of Net Cash Proceeds;

 

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(e) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(f) of the occurrence of any Disposition or incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness for which Borrower is or could be required to make a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b) or (c); and

(g) of any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change in a Debt Rating.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(e)) all be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, all its material obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by Borrower or such Subsidiary and the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the seizure of, or imposition of any Lien on, any material Property of Borrower or any such Subsidiary; (b) all material lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon any of its material property, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary; and (c) all material lawful Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, unless the same is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary.

6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.

(a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05;

(b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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6.06 Maintenance of Properties. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted;

(b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.

6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, not Affiliates of Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against, and of such types and in such amounts, customarily carried under similar circumstances (after giving effect to any self-insurance or deductibles compatible with the following standards), in all cases by prudent companies that are engaged in the same or similar business, are similarly situated, own similar properties in localities where Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates, and are of like size, type and financial condition; such insurance providing for not less than 30 days’ prior notice to Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall maintain for itself and its Subsidiaries business interruption insurance consistent with the foregoing standards.

6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws, including Environmental Laws, and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, write, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.09 Books and Records. (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and

(b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

6.10 Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists Administrative Agent or any Lender (or

 

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any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

6.11 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Credit Extension (i) on the Closing Date to repay or refinance Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement and to pay cost incurred in connection with the closing of this Agreement and (ii) on the Closing Date and at any other time, for the Permitted Transactions, the other purchases of common stock of Borrower permitted under Section 7.06, working capital purposes, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

6.12 Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.

(a) In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base, review the Engineering Report and the list of current Oil and Gas Properties to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties represent the Required Collateral after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production, and in the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not represent the Required Collateral, then grant to the Collateral Agent, as security for the Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations, Liens on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Documents such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties will represent the Required Collateral.

(b) Upon the formation or acquisition of any new direct or indirect Subsidiary (other than any CFC or a Subsidiary that is held directly or indirectly by a CFC) by any Loan Party, at Borrower’s expense, within 30 days after such formation or acquisition (i) cause such Subsidiary, to duly execute and deliver to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent guaranties or guaranty supplements guaranteeing the other Loan Parties’ obligations under the Loan Documents and cause the parent of such Subsidiary (if it has not already done so), to grant to the Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations Liens on the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, (ii) cause such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent, as security for the Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations, Liens on Properties of such Subsidiary, as specified by and in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and (iii) deliver certified copies of organizational documents of such Subsidiary and such other documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent or a Collateral Agent.

(c) Upon the acquisition of any property by any Loan Party, if such property, in the judgment of Administrative Agent, shall not already be subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of Collateral Agent, then, at Borrower’s expense, immediately if requested by Administrative Agent or a Collateral Agent, and otherwise within 30 days after such formation or acquisition (i) furnish to Administrative Agent a description of the property so acquired in detail satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (ii) cause the applicable Loan Party to grant to the Collateral Agent, as security for the

 

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Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations, Liens on such Properties, as specified by and in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

(d) In connection with any grant of Liens to Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 6.12, (i) take whatever action (including the recording of mortgages, the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, the giving of notices and the endorsement of notices on title documents) may be necessary or advisable in the opinion of Administrative Agent or a Collateral Agent to vest in Collateral Agent valid and subsisting Liens on such property, enforceable against all third parties, and (ii) execute and deliver such other additional documents and certificates and cause to be delivered such legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent or a Collateral Agent.

(e) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the obligation under Section 6.12(b) and (c) to grant Liens to Collateral Agent, insofar as it relates to Oil and Gas Properties, shall be limited to the Required Collateral. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to furnish account control agreements with respect to their respective bank accounts and/or securities accounts included in the Collateral.

(f) In the event that Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than a CFC or a Subsidiary owned directly by a CFC) becomes the owner of a CFC, pledge all the Equity Interests of such CFC owned by Borrower or such Subsidiary (but not to the extent that the total Equity Interests of such CFC pledged by Borrower or any Subsidiary hereunder or under any other Loan Document exceed 65% of the total outstanding voting power of such CFC) to the Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing such Equity Interests of such CFC, together with appropriate stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and execute and deliver such other additional documents and certificates and cause to be delivered such legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent or a Collateral Agent.

6.13 Title Information.

(a) On or before the delivery to Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Engineering Report required by Section 6.02, deliver title information in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent covering enough of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Engineering Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Engineering Report, so that Administrative Agent shall have received together with title information previously delivered to Administrative Agent, reasonably satisfactory title information on at least 75% of PV.

(b) Within 60 days of notice from Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) exist with respect to such additional Properties except for Permitted Liens, either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with no title defects or

 

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exceptions except for Permitted Liens having an equivalent value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent so that Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on at least 75% of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Engineering Report.

(c) If Borrower is unable to cure any title defect requested by Administrative Agent to be cured within the 60-day period or Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering 75% of the total value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recent Engineering Report, such default shall not be a Default, but instead Administrative Agent shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by Administrative Agent or the Lenders. To the extent that Administrative Agent is not satisfied with title to any Mortgaged Property after the 60-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Mortgaged Property shall not count towards the 75% requirement, and Administrative Agent may send a notice to Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause Borrower to be in compliance with the requirement to provide acceptable title information on 75% of the value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by the relevant Engineering Report. This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.

6.14 Production Proceeds. Notwithstanding that, by the terms of the various Security Documents, Loan Parties are and will be assigning to Collateral Agent all of the “Production Proceeds” (as defined therein) accruing to the property covered thereby, so long as no Event of Default has occurred Loan Parties may continue to receive from the purchasers of production all such Production Proceeds, subject, however, to the Liens created under the Security Documents, which Liens are hereby affirmed and ratified. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent may exercise all rights and remedies granted under the Security Documents, including the right to obtain possession of all Production Proceeds then held by Loan Parties or to receive directly from the purchasers of production all other Production Proceeds. In no case shall any failure, whether purposed or inadvertent, by Collateral Agent to collect directly any such Production Proceeds constitute in any way a waiver, remission or release of any of their rights under the Security Documents, nor shall any release of any Production Proceeds by Collateral Agent to Loan Parties constitute a waiver, remission, or release of any other Production Proceeds or of any rights of Collateral Agent to collect other Production Proceeds thereafter.

6.15 Mortgaged Property Covenants. At its own expense:

(a) Operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a prudent manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all requirements of Governmental Authorities, including, without limitation, applicable proration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of

 

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every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery and facilities.

(c) Maintain in full force and effect all oil, gas or mineral leases, contracts, servitudes and other agreements forming a part of any Oil and Gas Property and timely perform all of its obligations thereunder. Promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder.

(d) Promptly notify Administrative Agent of any material claim (or any conclusion by such Loan Party) that such Loan Party is obligated to account for any royalties, or overriding royalties or other payments out of production, on a basis (other than delivery in kind) less favorable to such Loan Party than proceeds received by Loan Party (calculated at the well) from sale of production.

(e) Promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties.

(f) To the extent Borrower is not the operator of any Property, use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.15.

6.16 Required Swap Transactions. Not later than forty-five (45) days following the Closing Date, Borrower will, at its sole cost and expense, enter into Swap Transactions with the purpose and effect of fixing prices on projected Oil and Gas Production for production expected to be produced by Borrower during the period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 and covering not less than 25% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production attributable to Proved Developed Producing Reserves (as presented in the most recent Engineering Report under Section 6.02) for each year during such period, provided that each such contract is with an counterparty that has been approved in writing by Administrative Agent or otherwise permitted by Section 7.11(c).

6.17 Further Assurances; Environmental Reports.

(a) Borrower at its expense will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and

 

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instruments reasonably requested by Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents, including the Notes, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Loan Documents, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, as reasonably request by Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.

(b) Borrower will and will cause each Subsidiary to provide environmental audits and tests in accordance with American Society of Testing Materials standards upon request by Administrative Agent in connection with any future acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties or other Properties.

ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnity obligations) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

7.01 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a) Permitted Liens;

(b) Liens securing Capital Leases permitted by Section 7.03(e) but only on the Property under lease;

(c) Liens securing purchase money obligations permitted by Section 7.03(i) so long as such Liens relate only to the equipment which is the subject of the relevant purchase money obligation;

(d) Liens securing Swap Transactions permitted by Section 7.11, so long as such Liens do not secure, in the aggregate, Indebtedness in excess of $10,000,000;

(e) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements;

 

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(f) Liens in favor of Chase Bank of Texas pursuant to that certain Trust Agreement, dated March 31, 2000, among Borrower, Ocean Energy, Inc., and Chase Bank of Texas, as Trustee, with respect to certain Trust Funds (as such term is defined in such Trust Agreement), up to a maximum principal amount of $15,000,000, on deposit with such Trustee;

(g) the filing of UCC financing statements solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods otherwise permitted hereunder; and

(h) Liens on Property not constituting Mortgaged Property and not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses (a) through (g); provided that the aggregate principal or face amount of all Indebtedness secured under this clause (h) shall not exceed $15,000,000 at any time.

7.02 Investments. Make any Investments, except:

(a) Investments held by Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of Cash Equivalents;

(b) Investments in Subsidiaries reflected in Schedule 5.12, and other investments reflected in the Audited Financial Statements or which are disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 7.02;

(c) Accounts receivable (including joint interest receivables) arising in the ordinary course of business;

(d) Investments (i) made by Borrower in or to the Guarantors (or any Person that will be a Guarantor upon consummation of such Investment), and (ii) made by any Subsidiary in or to Borrower or any Guarantor (or any Person that will be a Guarantor upon consummation of such Investment);

(e) Investments (including, without limitation, capital contributions) in general or limited partnerships or other types of entities (each a “venture”) entered into by Borrower or a Subsidiary with others in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) any such venture is engaged exclusively (except de minimis assets or operations) in oil and gas exploration, development, production, processing and related activities, including transportation, (ii) the interest in such venture is acquired in the ordinary course of business and on fair and reasonable terms and (iii) such venture interests acquired and capital contributions made (valued as of the date such interest was acquired or the contribution made) do not exceed, in the aggregate at any time outstanding an amount equal to $5,000,000;

(f) Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America and the territorial waters of the United States of America in the Gulf of Mexico;

 

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(g) Investments constituting non-cash proceeds of Dispositions permitted under Section 7.05;

(h) Loans and advances to directors, officers and employees not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;

(i) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 7.02 owing to Borrower or any Subsidiary as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency or other work-out proceeding of the obligor in respect of such debts or upon the enforcement of any Lien in favor of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that Borrower shall give Administrative Agent prompt written notice in the event that the aggregate amount of all investments held at any one time under this Section 7.02(i) exceeds $2,500,000;

(j) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03;

(k) Investments by Borrower or by any Subsidiary in Foreign Subsidiaries not exceeding $10,000,000 in any fiscal year or $40,000,000 in the aggregate; and

(l) Other Investments not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

7.03 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes and other Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and, in the case of the Senior Notes, any unsecured refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (ii) only Loan Parties shall be obligors in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, (iii) the covenants, taken as a whole, under the indenture or other agreement governing such Indebtedness are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or Lenders than the Existing Indenture or other agreement governing such other Indebtedness, as the case may be, (iv) the amortization, maturity, and subordination terms (if any), are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and (v) the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

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(c) Guarantees of Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(d) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Transaction permitted by the terms of Section 7.11;

(e) Indebtedness under Capital Leases not to exceed $7,500,000;

(f) Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Authorities, lessors, operators or other co-owners under joint operating agreement in connection with the operation of the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(g) Intercompany Indebtedness between Borrower and any Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 7.02(d); provided that such Indebtedness is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than Borrower or one of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, and, provided further, that any such Indebtedness owed by either Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Indebtedness on terms set forth in the Guaranty;

(h) Endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(i) Purchase money obligations of Borrower or the Guarantors of up to $5,000,000 at any time for the purchase of equipment, so long as the purchase money obligation as to any individual item of equipment does not exceed the fair market value thereof;

(j) Indebtedness incurred under the Lease dated August 12, 1999, as amended, between Borrower (as tenant) and PS Charles Associates, L.P. (as landlord) covering Borrower’s office located at 201 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-3400;

(k) Indebtedness incurred under the Office Space Lease Agreement dated February 26, 1989 between Hall-Houston Oil Company (later merged into Borrower) and RBC Limited, as amended (including subleases of rights thereunder), covering the office of Delaware EPL of Texas, LLC located at 700 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002.;

(l) Indebtedness in respect of accrued abandonment liabilities;

(m) deferred premiums due, in the ordinary course of business, in respect of insurance;

(n) Indebtedness of Borrower in respect of letters of credit not issued under this Agreement provided by Borrower or any Subsidiary in the normal course of business not exceeding $1,000,000 in the aggregate drawable amount at any time;

 

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(o) Any 8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2010 remaining outstanding after the tender offer therefor; and

(p) Other Indebtedness not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time.

7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom:

(a) any Subsidiary may merge with (i) Borrower, provided that Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any wholly-owned Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person, and, provided further that if a Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the Guarantor shall be the surviving Person;

(b) any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, then the transferee must either be Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary and, provided further that if the transferor of such assets is a Guarantor, the transferee must either be Borrower or a Guarantor; and

(c) Borrower or any Subsidiary may participate in a consolidation with any other Person; provided that (i) if Borrower consolidates with any Person, Borrower shall be the surviving Person, (ii) Borrower has provided Administrative Agent complete and detailed information relating to such consolidation fifteen (15) days in advance thereof and (iii) the Borrowing Base will be redetermined using the procedures for a Special Redetermination in accordance with Section 2.15.

7.05 Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

(a) Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary to Borrower or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be Borrower or a Guarantor;

(b) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(d) Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement

 

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property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04;

(f) farmouts of undeveloped acreage in the ordinary course of business and assignments in connection with such farmouts;

(g) other Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties, or any casualty, condemnation or payment in respect of indemnification with respect thereto (“Subject Disposition”), provided, that, all mandatory prepayments required by Section 2.05 in connection with such Subject Disposition (after giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to Section 2.15(d) for such Subject Disposition) are made concurrently with the closing thereof and, immediately after giving effect to such Subject Disposition and any such mandatory prepayments or any voluntary prepayments under Section 2.04, Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.16(c); and

(h) the Announced Divestiture.

provided, however, that any Disposition pursuant to clauses (b) through (g) shall be for fair market value;

7.06 Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except that:

(a) Each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Borrower and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;

(b) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Default or Event of Default would be occasioned thereby, Borrower may make repurchases, acquisitions, or retirements of Equity Interests of Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;

(c) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Default or Event of Default would be occasioned thereby, Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common Equity Interests;

(d) Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock);

(e) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Default or Event of Default would be occasioned thereby, Borrower

 

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may (i) purchase its common stock in the Permitted Transactions and (ii) make additional open market purchases of its common shares up to an aggregate amount of $50 million prior to March 12, 2009; and

(f) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Default or Event of Default would be occasioned thereby, the Borrower may purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or retire for value Equity Interests of Borrower or any Subsidiary from employees, former employees, directors, or former directors of Borrower or any Subsidiary (or transferees of such Persons); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such purchases, redemptions, and other acquisitions and retirements (excluding amounts representing cancellation of Indebtedness) shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any calendar year.

No Subsidiary may issue any Equity interests if the effect thereof would be to dilute Borrower’s ownership interest in such Subsidiary.

7.07 Change in Nature of Business. Permit any material change to be made in the character of its business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company.

7.08 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to transactions between or among Borrower and any Guarantor or between and among Guarantors.

7.09 Burdensome Agreements. Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to Borrower or to otherwise transfer property to Borrower, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of Borrower or (iii) of Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided (1) in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03; (2) any negative pledge incurred or provided under or by reason of applicable Requirements of Law or the Loan Documents; (3) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Subsidiary; (4) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into by a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (5) any holder of a Lien permitted by Section 7.01 restricting the transfer of the property subject thereto; (6) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any property permitted under Section 7.05 pending the consummation of such sale; (7) without affecting the Loan Parties’ obligations under Section 6.12, customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, asset sale and stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or similar person; or (8) in the case of any joint venture which is not a Loan Party, restrictions in such person’s Organizational

 

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Documents or pursuant to any joint venture agreement or stockholders agreements solely to the extent of the Equity Interests of or property held in the subject joint venture or other entity.

7.10 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

7.11 Hedging Contracts. No Loan Party will be a party to or in any manner be liable on any Swap Transaction except:

(a) Beginning July 1, 2007, on any day during the duration of this Agreement (each, a “day of determination”), Swap Transactions existing on the day of determination with the purpose and effect of hedging prices on Projected Oil and Gas Production with respect to production to be produced during the first through the 24th month following the day of determination that do not, in the aggregate with any other Swap Transactions under this clause (a): (i) with respect to Swap Transactions consisting of swaps or collars, exceed 60% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production for each applicable annual period during such 24-month period; and (ii) with respect to Swap Transactions of all types (including swaps, collars, floors, options and puts), exceed 75% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production for each applicable annual period during such 24-month period; provided, however, financially-settled Swap Transactions consisting of swaps or collars will not exceed 25% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production during the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30 of any year during such 24-moth period.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2007, on any determination day, Swap Transactions existing on the day of determination with the purpose and effect of hedging prices on Projected Oil and Gas Production with respect to production to be produced during the 25th through the 48th month following the day of determination that do not, in the aggregate with any other Swap Transactions under this clause (b): (i) with respect to Swap Transactions consisting of swaps or collars, exceed 50% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production attributable to Proved Developed Producing Reserves (as presented in the most recent Engineering Report under Section 6.02) for each applicable annual period during such 24-month period; and (ii) with respect to Swap Transactions of all types (including swaps, collars, floors, options and puts), exceed 75% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production for each applicable annual period during such 24-month period; provided, however, financially-settled Swap Transactions consisting of swaps or collars will not exceed 25% of the aggregate Projected Oil and Gas Production attributable to Proved Developed Producing Reserves (as presented in the most recent Engineering Report under Section 6.02) during the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30 of any year during such 24-month period

(c) Except for Letters of Credit and the Collateral under the Security Documents with respect to Secured Swap Obligations, no Swap Transaction shall require any Loan Party to put up money, assets, or other security against the event of its nonperformance prior to actual default by such Loan Party in performing its obligations

 

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thereunder except for Swap Transactions entered into prior to the date hereof, and each such contract is with a counterparty or has a guarantor of the obligation of the counterparty who (unless such counterparty is a Swap Bank) at the time the contract is made has long-term obligations rated investment grade or otherwise approved by Administrative Agent.

(d) Contracts entered into by a Loan Party with the purpose and effect of fixing interest rates on a principal amount of indebtedness of such Loan Party that is accruing interest at a variable rate, provided that (i) at the time such Swap Contract is entered into, the aggregate notional amount of such contracts does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the anticipated outstanding principal balance of the indebtedness to be hedged by such contracts or an average of such principal balances calculated using a generally accepted method of matching interest swap contracts to declining principal balances, (ii) the floating rate index of each such contract generally matches the index used to determine the floating rates of interest on the corresponding indebtedness to be hedged by such contract and (iii) each such contract is with a counterparty or has a guarantor of the obligation of the counterparty who (unless such counterparty is a Swap Bank) at the time the contract is made has long-term obligations rated AA or Aa2 or better, respectively, by either Rating Agency.

7.12 Limitation on Leases. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligation for the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or personal but excluding Capital Leases, leases of Oil and Gas Properties, and usual and customary operating leases), under leases or lease agreements which would cause the aggregate amount of all payments made by Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements, including, without limitation, any residual payments at the end of any lease, to exceed $7,500,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life of such leases.

7.13 Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. Permit gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of Borrower or any Subsidiary that would require Borrower or such Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor to exceed 2.5 million mcf of gas (on an mcfe equivalent basis) in the aggregate.

7.14 Limitation on Prepayment or Redemption of Indebtedness.

(a) Pay, prepay, purchase or redeem the principal of the Senior Notes, except, Borrower may (i) pay, prepay, purchase or redeem Senior Notes with the proceeds of the issuance of Indebtedness to refinance the Senior Notes as permitted by Section 7.03(b), (ii) pay, prepay, purchase or redeem Senior Notes to the extent described in Section 2.05, (iii) to the extent that no Default, Event of Default, or Borrowing Base Deficiency then exists or would be occasioned thereby, pay, prepay, purchase or redeem up to $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes bearing interest at a floating rate, and (iv) to the extent that no Default, Event of Default, or Borrowing Base Deficiency then exists or would be occasioned thereby and any mandatory prepayment required hereunder shall have been made, pay, prepay, purchase or redeem Senior Notes with the proceeds of any asset sale.

 

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(b) Amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of the Senior Notes, or the Senior Note Indenture if the effect thereof would be to shorten its maturity or average life or increase the amount of any payment of principal thereof or increase the rate or shorten any period for payment of interest thereon, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit the execution of other indentures or agreements in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness to refinance the Senior Notes as permitted by Section 7.03(b) or the execution of supplemental indentures to add guarantors if required by the terms of any Senior Note Indenture provided such Person complies with Section 6.12.

7.15 Financial Covenants.

(a) Current Ratio. As of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit the ratio of Borrower’s consolidated current assets (but excluding any non-cash assets under FAS 133, as amended) plus the amount of the Unused Availability to Borrower’s consolidated current liabilities (excluding current maturities of the Loans and non-cash obligations under FAS 133 and FAS 143, as amended) to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

(b) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit the consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.

(c) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio to be greater than (i) 3.50 to 1.00 at the time of submission of any Loan Notice or at the end of any fiscal quarter during the period from the Closing Date to, but not including, April 1, 2008, (ii) 3.00 to 1.00 at the time of submission of any Loan Notice or at the end of any fiscal quarter on or after April 1, 2008.

ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment. Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within five Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

(b) Specific Covenants. Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.02(j), 6.03, 6.05 (a) or (b), 6.11, or 6.12, or Article VII; or

(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for

 

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30 days after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof from Administrative Agent to Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender), or (ii) a Responsible Officer of Borrower or any Subsidiary otherwise becoming aware of such default, or any Event of Default occurs under any other Loan Document; or

(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest or other amount) in respect of any Indebtedness of Borrower or such Subsidiary having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such failure shall remain unremedied beyond any applicable grace period, or (ii) any event or condition occurs that results in any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of such Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause same to become due, or to require the redemption thereof or any offer to redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any Subsidiary to make an offer in respect thereof; or

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its material Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any of its material Subsidiaries becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

(h) Judgments. There is entered against Borrower or any Subsidiary one or more final and non-appealable judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount

 

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(to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage) and there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any material provision of any Loan Document or any provision thereof, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations), ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or any Loan Party or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document or any provision thereof; or

(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control.

8.02 Remedies upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(i) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(ii) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower;

(iii) require that Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

(iv) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each

 

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Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of Administrative Agent or any Lender.

8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied to the Obligations by Administrative Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in their capacities as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Revolving Credit Obligations and Letter of Credit Fees, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Borrowings and Secured Swap Obligations, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Swap Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

Fifth, to Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit; and

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.

Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

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ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as Collateral Agent hereunder and under other Loan Documents and authorizes such Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of Agents, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to Lenders.

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. An Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Agent:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by Required Lenders (as such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law; and

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

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Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 8.02 and 10.01 or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders or other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as Collateral Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.01) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. An Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice describing such Default is given to such Agent by Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer. An Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

9.04 Reliance by Agent. An Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. An Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. An Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

9.05 Delegation of Duties. An Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. An Agent and any such sub-agents may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agents and to the Related Parties of an Agent and any such sub-agents, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as an Agent.

 

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9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent. Any Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to Lenders, the L/C Issuer and Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders, shall have the right, in consultation with Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may on behalf of Required Lenders, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the retiring Agent shall notify Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by an Agent under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the retiring Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor to the retiring Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as an Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between Borrower and such successor. If the Collateral Agent is not also Administrative Agent, Borrower shall agree to pay such fee as such Collateral Agent may require to act in such capacity. After a retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as such Agent.

Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make

 

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its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

9.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender holding a title listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as Administrative Agent, a Collateral Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, Administrative Agent or the applicable Collateral Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent or the applicable Collateral Agent shall have made any demand on Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, if applicable, and Agents (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, if applicable, and Agents and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, if applicable, and Agents under Sections 2.03(i) and (j), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Collateral Agent and, in the event that such Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to such Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due such Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize any Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or to authorize any Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably authorizes any Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by such Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of all Revolving Credit Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and

 

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the expiration, termination or cash collateralization pursuant to arrangements acceptable to L/C Issuer of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is sold or to be sold as part of or in connection with any sale permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.01;

(b) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and any other Loan Documents to which it is a party or by which its property is bound if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; and

(c) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by such Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property.

Upon request by an Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing such Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and any other Loan Documents to which it is a party pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, such Agent will, at Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Security Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and any other Loan Documents to which it is a party, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 Amendments, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective with respect to the Lenders unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01, or in the case of the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.02, without the written consent of each Lender; provided, however, in the sole discretion of Administrative Agent, only a waiver by Administrative Agent shall be required with respect to immaterial matters or items specified in Section 4.01(c);

(ii) extend or increase the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Revolving Credit Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;

(iii) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

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(iv) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01(a)) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Lenders, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” as it related to the Lenders or to waive any obligation of Borrower to pay interest or L/C Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder to the Lenders;

(v) change Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby in respect to the Lenders without the written consent of each Lender;

(vi) change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

(vii) increase in the Borrowing Base or modify Section 2.15 without the written consent of each Lender; or

(viii) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty or release the Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions except in accordance with the terms of any Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender;

and, provided further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it.

(b) No amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by an Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.

 

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(c) If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

(d) Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, if within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of any of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent (acting in its sole discretion) and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document.

10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i) if to Borrower, Administrative Agent or L/C Issuer, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable has notified Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. Administrative Agent or Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it

 

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hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of Borrower’s or Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of Borrower, Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to Borrower, Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar

 

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designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and the Lenders. Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Borrower shall indemnify Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with Administrative Agent may be recorded by Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by an Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for an Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out of pocket expenses incurred by an Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for an Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of an Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with

 

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the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) Indemnification by Borrower. Borrower shall indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of an Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to an Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Aggregate Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may

 

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be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any such sub-agent) or L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

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

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of an Agent and the L/C Issuer, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of Borrower is made to Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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10.06 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by the Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b), participations in L/C Obligations) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Credit Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent

 

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assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans or the Revolving Credit Commitment assigned;

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;

(B) the consent of Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and

(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding).

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to Borrower or any of Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the

 

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rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d).

(c) Register. Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain at Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Credit Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, Borrower or Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or Borrower or any of Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) Borrower, Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to Section 10.06(e), Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.

 

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(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(h) Resignation as L/C Issuer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Loans pursuant to Section 10.06(b), Bank of America may, upon 30 days’ notice to Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer, Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among Lenders a successor L/C Issuer hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of Administrative Agent, Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Borrower.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. Each of Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including Federal and state securities Laws.

10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and

 

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all of the obligations of Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify Borrower and Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit

 

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Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(a) Borrower shall have paid to Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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10.15 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by Administrative Agent and the Arranger, are arm’s-length commercial transactions between Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Administrative Agent and the Arranger, on the other hand, (B) Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) Administrative Agent and the Arranger each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has any obligation to Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) Administrative Agent and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against Administrative Agent and the Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act.

 

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10.18 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.

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

 

ENERGY PARTNERS, LTD.
By:   /s/ Joseph H. LeBlanc
Name:   Joseph H. LeBlanc
Title:   Treasurer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
By:   /s/ Todd MacNeill
Name:   Todd MacNeill
Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, and as L/C Issuer
By:   /s/ Adam H. Fey
Name:   Adam H. Fey
Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]