EXHIBIT 10.2
ISSUING AND PAYING AGENCY
AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of
October 27, 2006, is by and between XTO Energy Inc.
(the “Issuer” ) and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
National Association ( “JPMorgan” ).
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1.
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APPOINTMENT AND
ACCEPTANCE
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The Issuer hereby appoints JPMorgan
as its issuing and paying agent in connection with the issuance and
payment of certain short-term promissory notes of the Issuer (the
“Notes” ), as further described herein, and
JPMorgan agrees to act as such agent upon the terms and conditions
contained in this Agreement.
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2.
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COMMERCIAL PAPER
PROGRAMS
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The Issuer may establish one or more
commercial paper programs under this Agreement by delivering to
JPMorgan a completed program schedule (the “Program
Schedule” ), with respect to each such program.
JPMorgan has given the Issuer a copy of the current form of Program
Schedule and the Issuer shall complete and return its first Program
Schedule to JPMorgan prior to or simultaneously with the execution
of this Agreement. In the event that any of the information
provided in, or attached to, a Program Schedule shall change, the
Issuer shall promptly inform JPMorgan of such change in
writing.
All Notes issued by the Issuer under
this Agreement shall be short-term promissory notes, exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, as indicated on the Program Schedules, and from applicable
state securities laws. The Notes may be placed by dealers (the
“Dealers” ) pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
Notes shall be issued in either certificated or book-entry
form.
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4.
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AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES
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The Issuer shall deliver to JPMorgan
a duly adopted corporate resolution from the Issuer’s Board
of Directors (or other governing body) authorizing the issuance of
Notes under each program established pursuant to this Agreement and
a certificate of incumbency, with specimen signatures attached, of
those officers, employees and agents of the Issuer authorized to
take certain actions with respect to the Notes as provided in this
Agreement (each such person is hereinafter referred to as an
“Authorized Representative” ). Until JPMorgan
receives any subsequent incumbency certificates of the Issuer,
JPMorgan shall be entitled to rely on the last incumbency
certificate delivered to it for the purpose of determining the
Authorized Representatives. The Issuer represents and warrants that
each Authorized Representative may appoint other officers,
employees and agents of the Issuer (the
“Delegates” ), including without limitation any
Dealers, to issue instructions to JPMorgan under this Agreement,
and take other actions on the Issuer’s behalf hereunder,
provided that notice of the appointment of each Delegate is
delivered to JPMorgan in writing. Each such appointment shall
remain in effect unless and until revoked by the Issuer in a
written notice to JPMorgan.
If and when the Issuer intends to
issue certificated notes ( “Certificated Notes”
), the Issuer and JPMorgan shall agree upon the form of such Notes.
Thereafter, the Issuer shall from time to time deliver to JPMorgan
adequate supplies of Certificated Notes which will be in bearer
form, serially numbered, and shall be executed by the manual or
facsimile signature of an Authorized Representative. JPMorgan will
acknowledge receipt of any supply of Certificated Notes received
from the Issuer, noting any exceptions to the shipping manifest or
transmittal letter (if any), and will hold the Certificated Notes
in safekeeping for the Issuer in accordance with
JPMorgan’s customary practices. JPMorgan
shall not have any liability to the Issuer to determine by whom or
by what means a facsimile signature may have been affixed on
Certificated Notes, or to determine whether any facsimile or manual
signature is genuine, if such facsimile or manual signature
resembles the specimen signature attached to the Issuer’s
certificate of incumbency with respect to such Authorized
Representative. Any Certificated Note bearing the manual or
facsimile signature of a person who is an Authorized Representative
on the date such signature was affixed shall bind the Issuer after
completion thereof by JPMorgan, notwithstanding that such person
shall have ceased to hold his or her office on the date such Note
is countersigned or delivered by JPMorgan.
The Issuer’s book-entry notes
( “Book-Entry Notes” ) shall not be issued in
physical form, but their aggregate face amount shall be represented
by a master note (the “Master Note” ) in the
form of Exhibit A executed by the Issuer pursuant to the book-entry
commercial paper program of The Depository Trust Company (
“DTC” ). JPMorgan shall maintain the Master Note
in safekeeping, in accordance with its customary practices, on
behalf of Cede & Co., the registered owner thereof and
nominee of DTC. As long as Cede & Co. is the registered
owner of the Master Note, the beneficial ownership interest therein
shall be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof shall be
effected through, entries on the books maintained by DTC and the
books of its direct and indirect participants. The Master Note and
the Book-Entry Notes shall be subject to DTC’s rules and
procedures, as amended from time to time. JPMorgan shall not be
liable or responsible for sending transaction statements of any
kind to DTC’s participants or the beneficial owners of the
Book-Entry Notes, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing the
records of DTC or its participants with respect to such Notes. In
connection with DTC’s program, the Issuer understands that as
one of the conditions of its participation therein, it shall be
necessary for the Issuer and JPMorgan to enter into a Letter of
Representations, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and for DTC to
receive and accept such Letter of Representations. In accordance
with DTC’s program, JPMorgan shall obtain from the CUSIP
Service Bureau a written list of CUSIP numbers for Issuer’s
Book-Entry Notes, and JPMorgan shall deliver such list to DTC. The
CUSIP Service Bureau shall bill the Issuer directly for the fee or
fees payable for the list of CUSIP numbers for the Issuer’s
Book-Entry Notes.
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7.
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ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS TO
JPMORGAN; PURCHASE PAYMENTS
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The Issuer understands that all
instructions under this Agreement are to be directed to
JPMorgan’s Commercial Paper Operations Department. JPMorgan
shall provide the Issuer, or, if applicable, the Issuer’s
Dealers, with access to JPMorgan’s Money Market Issuance
System or other electronic means (collectively, the
“System” ) in order that JPMorgan may receive
electronic instructions for the issuance of Notes. Electronic
instructions must be transmitted in accordance with the procedures
furnished by JPMorgan to the Issuer or its Dealers in connection
with the System. These transmissions shall be the equivalent to the
giving of a duly authorized written and signed instruction which
JPMorgan may act upon without liability. In the event that the
System is inoperable at any time, an Authorized Representative or a
Delegate may deliver written, telephone or facsimile instructions
to JPMorgan, which instructions shall be verified in accordance
with any security procedures agreed upon by the parties. JPMorgan
shall incur no liability to the Issuer in acting upon instructions
believed by JPMorgan in good faith to have been given by an
Authorized Representative or a Delegate. In the event that a
discrepancy exists between a telephonic instruction and a written
confirmation, the telephonic instruction will be deemed the
controlling and proper instruction. JPMorgan may electronically
record any conversations made pursuant to this Agreement, and the
Issuer hereby consents to such recordings. All issuance
instructions regarding the Notes must be received by 1:00 P.M. New
York time in order for the Notes to be issued or delivered on the
same day.
(a)
Issuance and Purchase of Book-Entry Notes .
Upon
receipt of issuance instructions from the Issuer or its Dealers
with respect to Book-Entry
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Notes, JPMorgan shall transmit such
instructions to DTC and direct DTC to cause appropriate entries of
the Book-Entry Notes to be made in accordance with DTC’s
applicable rules, regulations and procedures for book-entry
commercial paper programs. JPMorgan shall assign CUSIP numbers to
the Issuer’s Book-Entry Notes to identify the Issuer’s
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Book-Entry Notes in
DTC’s system, together with the aggregate unpaid interest (if
any) on such Notes. Promptly following DTC’s established
settlement time on each issuance date, JPMorgan shall access
DTC’s system to verify whether settlement has occurred with
respect to the Issuer’s Book-Entry Notes. Prior to the close
of business on such business day, JPMorgan shall deposit
immediately available funds in the amount of the proceeds due the
Issuer (if any) to the Issuer’s account at JPMorgan and
designated in the applicable Program Schedule (the
“Account” ), provided that JPMorgan has
received DTC’s confirmation that the Book-Entry Notes have
settled in accordance with DTC’s applicable rules,
regulations and procedures. JPMorgan shall have no liability to the
Issuer whatsoever if any DTC participant purchasing a Book-Entry
Note fails to settle or delays in settling its balance with DTC or
if DTC fails to perform in any respect.
(b)
Issuance and Purchase of Certificated Notes . Upon
receipt of issuance instructions with respect to Certificated
Notes, JPMorgan shall: (a) complete each Certificated Note as
to principal amount, date of issue, maturity date, place of
payment, and rate or amount of interest (if such Note is interest
bearing) in accordance with such instructions; (b) countersign
each Certificated Note; and (c) deliver each Certificated Note
in accordance with the Issuer’s instructions, except as
otherwise set forth below. Whenever JPMorgan is instructed to
deliver any Certificated Note by mail, JPMorgan shall strike from
the Certificated Note the word “Bearer,” insert as
payee the name of the person so designated by the Issuer and effect
delivery by mail to such payee or to such other person as is
specified in such instructions to receive the Certificated Note.
The Issuer understands that, in accordance with the custom
prevailing in the commercial paper market, delivery of Certificated
Notes shall be made before the actual receipt of payment for such
Notes in immediately available funds, even if the Issuer instructs
JPMorgan to deliver a Certificated Note against payment. Therefore,
once JPMorgan has delivered a Certificated Note to the designated
recipient, the Issuer shall bear the risk that such recipient may
fail to remit payment of such Note or return such Note to JPMorgan.
Delivery of Certificated Notes shall be subject to the rules of the
New York Clearing House in effect at the time of such delivery.
Funds received in payment of Certificated Notes shall be credited
to the Account.
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8.
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USE OF SALES PROCEEDS IN
ADVANCE OF PAYMENT
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JPMorgan shall not be obligated to
credit the Issuer’s Account unless and until payment of the
purchase price of each Note is received by JPMorgan. From time to
time, JPMorgan, in its sole discretion, may permit the Issuer to
have use of funds payable with respect to a Note prior to
JPMorgan’s receipt of the sales proceeds of such Note. If
JPMorgan makes a deposit, payment or transfer of funds on behalf of
the Issuer before JPMorgan receives payment for any Note, such
deposit, payment or transfer of funds shall represent an advance by
JPMorgan to the Issuer to be repaid promptly, and in any event on
the same day as it is made, from the proceeds of the sale of such
Note, or by the Issuer if such proceeds are not received by
JPMorgan.
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9.
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PAYMENT OF MATURED
NOTES
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Notice that the Issuer will not
redeem any Note on the relative Initial Redemption Date (as defined
in the applicable Extendible Commercial Note Announcement) must be
received in writing by JPMorgan by 11:00 A.M. on such Initial
Redemption Date. On any other day when a Note matures or is
prepaid, the Issuer shall transmit, or cause to be transmitted, to
the Account, prior to 2:00 P.M. New York time on the same day, an
amount of immediately available funds sufficient to pay the
aggregate principal amount of such Note and any applicable interest
due. JPMorgan shall pay the interest (if any) and principal on a
Book-Entry Note to DTC in immediately available funds, which
payment shall be by net settlement of JPMorgan’s account at
DTC. JPMorgan shall pay Certificated Notes upon presentment.
JPMorgan shall have no obligation under the Agreement to make any
payment for which there is not sufficient, available and collected
funds in the Account, and JPMorgan may, without liability to the
Issuer, refuse to pay any Note that would result in an overdraft to
the Account.
(a) Intraday
overdrafts with respect to each Account shall be subject to
JPMorgan’s policies as in effect from time to
time.
(b) An
overdraft will exist in an Account if JPMorgan, in its sole
discretion, (i) permits an advance to be made pursuant to
Section 8 and, notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 8, such advance is not repaid in full on the same day
as it is made, or (ii) pays a Note pursuant to Section 9
in excess of the available collected balance in such Account.
Overdrafts shall be subject to JPMorgan’s established banking
practices, including, without limitation, the imposition of
interest, funds usage charges and administrative fees. The Issuer
shall repay any such overdraft, fees and charges no later than the
next business day, together with interest on the overdraft at the
rate established by JPMorgan for the Account, computed from and
including the date of the overdraft to the date of
repayment.
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11.
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NO PRIOR COURSE OF
DEALING
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No prior action or course of dealing
on the part of JPMorgan with respect to advances of the purchase
price or payments of matured Notes shall give rise to any claim or
cause of action by the Issuer against JPMorgan in the event that
JPMorgan refuses to pay or settle any Notes for which the Issuer
has not timely provided funds as required by this
Agreement.
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12.
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RETURN OF CERTIFICATED
NOTES
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JPMorgan will in due course cancel
any Certificated Note presented for payment and return such Note to
the Issuer. JPMorgan shall also cancel and return to the Issuer any
spoiled or voided Certificated Notes. Promptly upon written request
of the Issuer or at the termination of this Agreement, JPMorgan
shall destroy all blank, unissued Certificated Notes in its
possession and furnish a certificate to the Issuer certifying such
actions.
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13.
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INFORMATION FURNISHED BY
JPMORGAN
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Upon the reasonable request of the
Issuer, JPMorgan shall promptly provide the Issuer with information
with respect to any Note issued and paid hereunder, provided,
that the Issuer delivers such request in writing and, to the
extent applicable, includes the serial number or note number,
principal amount, payee, date of issue, maturity date, amount of
interest (if any) and place of payment of such Note.
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14.
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REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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The Issuer represents and warrants
that: (i) it has the right, capacity and authority to enter
into this Agreement; and (ii) it will comply with all of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Issuer further
represents and agrees that each Note issued and distributed upon
its instruction pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute the
Issuer’s representation and warranty to JPMorgan that such
Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, and
that such Note is being issued in a transaction which is exempt
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
any applicable state securities law.
Neither JPMorgan nor its directors,
officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any act or
omission under this Agreement except in the case of gross
negligence or willful misconduct. IN NO EVENT SHALL JPMORGAN BE
LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY
KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS), EVEN
IF JPMORGAN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR
DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION. In no event shall
JPMorgan be considered negligent in consequence of complying with
DTC’s rules, regulations and procedures. The duties and
obligations of JPMorgan, its directors, officers, employees or
agents shall be determined by the express provisions of this
Agreement and they shall not be liable except for the performance
of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth herein
and no implied covenants shall be read into this Agreement against
them. Neither JPMorgan nor its directors, officers, employees or
agents shall be required to ascertain whether any issuance or sale
of any Notes (or any amendment or termination of this Agreement)
has been duly authorized or is in compliance with any other
agreement to which the Issuer is a party (whether or not JPMorgan
is also a party to such agreement).
The Issuer agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless JPMorgan, its directors, officers,
employees and agents (collectively, “indemnitees”) from
and against any and all liabilities, claims, losses, damages,
penalties, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
disbursements) suffered or incurred by or asserted or assessed
against any indemnitee arising in respect of this Agreement, except
in respect of any indemnitee for any such liability, claim, loss,
damage, penalty, cost or expense resulting from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such indemnitee. This indemnity
will survive the termination of this Agreement.
The Issuer shall deliver to JPMorgan
all documents it may reasonably request relating to the existence
of the Issuer and authority of the Issuer for this Agreement,
including, without limitation, an opinion of counsel, substantially
in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
All notices, confirmations and other
communications hereunder shall (except to the extent otherwise
expressly provided) be in writing and shall be sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, by telecopier or by hand, addressed as
follows, or to such other address as the party receiving such
notice shall have previously specified to the party sending such
notice:
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If to the Issuer:
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XTO Energy Inc.
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810 Houston Street
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Fort Worth, TX 76102
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Attention:
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Vice President-Treasurer
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Telephone:
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(817) 885-2268
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Facsimile:
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(817)
885-1811
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If to JPMorgan concerning the daily
issuance and redemption of Notes:
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Attention: Commercial Paper
Operations
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420 West Van Buren, 16th Floor
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Mail Code IL1-0114
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Chicago, IL 60606
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Telephone:
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(312) 954-0264
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Facsimile:
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(312) 954-0438
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All other:
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Attention: Commercial Paper Client
Services
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420 West Van Buren, 16th Floor
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Mail Code IL1-0114
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Chicago, IL 60606
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Telephone:
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(312) 954-0264
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Facsimile:
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(312) 954-0438
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The Issuer shall pay compensation
for services pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the
pricing schedules furnished by JPMorgan to the Issuer from time to
time and upon such payment terms as the parties shall determine.
The Issuer shall also reimburse JPMorgan for any fees and charges
imposed by DTC with respect to services provided in connection with
the Book-Entry Notes.
This Agreement is solely for the
benefit of the parties hereto and no other person shall acquire or
have any right under or by virtue hereof.
This Agreement may be terminated at
any time by either party by written notice to the other, but such
termination shall not affect the respective liabilities of the
parties hereunder arising prior to such termination.
In no event shall either party be
liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its
obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond
JPMorgan’s control, including, but not limited to, acts of
God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire,
riot, strikes or work stoppages for any reason, embargo, government
action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations or the like
which restrict or prohibit the providing of the services
contemplated by this Agreement, inability to obtain material,
equipment, or communications or computer facilities, or the failure
of equipment or interruption of communications or computer
facilities, and other causes beyond JPMorgan’s control
whether or not of the same class or kind as specifically named
above.
This Agreement, together with the
exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between
JPMorgan and the Issuer with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes in all respects all prior proposals, negotiations,
communications, discussions and agreements between the parties
concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.
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24.
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WAIVERS AND
AMENDMENTS
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No failure or delay on the part of
any party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement
shall operate as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise
of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or
the exercise of any other power or right. Any such waiver shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for
which it is given. No amendment, modification or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the Issuer and
JPMorgan.
Whenever any payment to be made
hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a business day for
JPMorgan, then such payment shall be made on JPMorgan’s next
succeeding business day.
This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and such
counterparts together shall constitute but one
instrument.
The headings in this Agreement are
for purposes of reference only and shall not in any way limit or
otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms
of this Agreement.
This Agreement and the Notes shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws
of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws
provisions thereof.
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29.
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WAIVER OF TRIAL BY
JURY
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EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHT
TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
Each Account shall be subject to
JPMorgan’s account conditions, as in effect from time to
time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed on their behalf by duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first-above written.
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JPMORGAN CHASE
BANK,
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XTO ENERGY INC.
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NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
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By:
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/s/ Maria
Romero
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By:
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/s/ Brent W.
Clum
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Name:
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Maria
Romero
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Name:
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Brent W.
Clum
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Title:
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Assistant Vice
President
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Title:
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Vice President and
Treasurer
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Date:
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October 27, 2006
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Date:
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October 27,
2006
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7
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES FOR NON-U.S.
ISSUERS
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32.
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AGENT FOR SERVICE OR
PROCESS
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The Issuer, for the benefit of
JPMorgan and the holders from time to time of the Notes, hereby
irrevocably appoints
, with offices on the date hereof located at
, New York, New York
as its agent (the “Authorized Agent” ) upon
which proc