Exhibit 10.21
MASTER LEASE
AGREEMENT
This MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT
(this “ Master Lease ”), dated as of
February 26, 2009, is between Caterpillar Financial
Services Corporation (“ Lessor ”), a
Delaware corporation whose address is 2120 West End Avenue,
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, and CDM Resource Management LLC
(“ Lessee ”), a Texas limited liability
company with a principal address of 20405 Tomball Pkwy, Suite 310,
Houston, TX, 77070.
In consideration of the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
Section 1
. Definitions . The capitalized
terms used in this Master Lease and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings specified in Appendix
A hereto, unless the context hereof shall otherwise
require.
Section 2
. Master Lease . Lessor hereby
leases to Lessee and Lessee hereby leases from Lessor the Equipment
and other property described on each Lease Schedule executed from
time to time by Lessor and Lessee in a form acceptable to Lessor
(each a “ Schedule ”). Each Schedule
shall expressly incorporate the terms of this Master Lease and
shall constitute a separate lease along with any other writing
expressly incorporated into the Master Lease or the Schedule. The
terms “ Lease ” or “ this
Lease ” as used herein shall refer to each and every
Schedule that incorporates this Master Lease and any other writing
expressly incorporated into the Master Lease or such Schedule. In
the event of any conflict between the Master Lease and any
Schedule, the terms of the Schedule shall control. Upon
Lessee’s satisfaction of all conditions precedent to
effectiveness of this Master Lease, including those set forth in
Section 9 with respect to the execution of Schedules:
(a) this Master Lease shall constitute a legal commitment by
Lessor to lease equipment in accordance with the terms herein and
in each such Schedule and (b) Lessor shall be obligated to
enter into Schedules and purchase and lease the equipment or other
property pursuant thereto. After executing a Schedule, Lessor shall
have no obligation to purchase or finance any Equipment until the
satisfaction of all conditions precedent to Lessor’s purchase
of Equipment pursuant to the terms of the Master Lease and said
Schedule.
Section 3
. Title; UCC 2A Finance Lease;
Waivers .
(a) Lessee and Lessor intend that:
(i) each Lease constitutes a true “lease” that is
a “finance lease” as such terms are defined in Article
2A of the UCC and does not create a “security interest”
as defined in the UCC; (ii) Lessor is and shall remain the
owner of the Equipment (unless sold by Lessor pursuant to any Lease
Document); (iii) Lessee shall not acquire any right, title,
equity or interest in or to such Equipment other than the right to
possess and use the Equipment in accordance with Lessee’s
leasehold interest under the Lease. If, notwithstanding the
intention of the parties and the economic realities of this Lease,
this Lease is deemed to create a security interest, Lessee shall be
deemed to have granted to Lessor as security for Lessee’s
obligations hereunder, a first priority security interest in the
Equipment and all proceeds thereof. Until Lessee’s
obligations under each Schedule are satisfied in full, if requested
by Lessor or if required by Applicable Law, Lessee shall at
Lessee’s sole cost and expense permanently affix and maintain
on any or all Equipment or as many items as required, as determined
by Lessor or as required by Applicable Law, a sign, legend, plate,
plaque, tag or other identifying label in a prominent place that
discloses Lessor’s ownership or that such Equipment is leased
from Lessor under such Schedule.
(b) Lessee further acknowledges that
at least one of the following is true: (i) Lessee has selected
the Supplier (as defined in Article 2A of the UCC), has directed
Lessor to purchase the Equipment from the Supplier and has been
informed by Lessor in writing (and is so hereby informed) that
(A) Lessee is entitled under Article 2A of the UCC to certain
rights under the Supply Contract (as defined in Article 2A of the
UCC), and (B) Lessee may contact the Supplier to receive an
accurate and complete
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statement from the Supplier of any such rights
and any disclaimers and limitations of them or of remedies; or
(ii) Lessee has received, reviewed and approved a copy of the
Supply Contract covering the Equipment purchased from the Supplier
thereof for lease to Lessee. To the fullest extent permitted by
Applicable Law, Lessee hereby waives any and all rights and
remedies conferred upon lessees by Sections 2A-508 through 2A-522
of the UCC as currently in force on the date hereof or otherwise
conferred upon Lessee by the UCC. Lessee further waives, to the
extent permitted by Applicable Law notice of sale or other
disposition of the Equipment.
Section 4
. Term, Rent Termination and Purchase
Option
4.1 Lease Obligation; Term
. The Term of each Schedule (the “ Term
”) will consist of: (a) the Initial Term set forth on
the Schedule, if any; (b) the Base Term and (c) the
Renewal Term. The “ Initial Term ” (if
any) shall commence on the date set forth on the Schedule and end
on the Base Term Commencement Date. The “ Base
Term ” shall commence on the Base Term Commencement
Date and, unless terminated or extended as provided herein, shall
end on the same day of the month as the Base Term Commencement Date
at the end of One Hundred Twenty (120) months. Any Renewal
Term will be as set forth in Section 5.3 hereof.
4.2 Rent; Late Payments
. Lessee hereby covenants, agrees, and promises to pay to
Lessor quarterly Rent, in arrears, plus applicable Taxes as
increased from time to time in the amounts and pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the applicable Schedule. Unless otherwise
directed by Lessor, Rent and other amounts payable hereunder shall
be paid to Lessor in the manner set forth in the applicable
Schedule or in such other manner as Lessor shall specify in writing
from time to time. All amounts payable to Lessor hereunder for
which a payment date is expressly set forth herein (including Rent)
shall be payable without notice or written demand by Lessor. All
amounts payable to Lessor hereunder for which no payment date is
expressly set forth herein shall be payable on written demand by
Lessor to Lessee. Payments which are due on a day which is not a
Business Day shall be payable on the next succeeding Business Day.
If any Rent payment or any other Obligation under this Lease is not
received by Lessor when due, Lessee shall pay to Lessor, in
addition to such Rent or other payment, late fees on such amounts
from the date due until payment is received by Lessor equal to the
lesser of (a) five percent (5%) per annum on such amount
(it being understood and agreed by the parties that such percentage
shall be applied based on a calendar year of 365 days, with the
interest on any given day being 1/365 of the total interest for the
calendar year); and (b) the highest charge allowed by
Applicable Law. The Lessee shall pay the reasonable expenses of
Lessor (including fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Lessor’s
attorneys and Lessor’s engineer) incurred at the request of
Lessee, or in the performance of its duties under any of the Lease
Documents, or in connection with any litigation which may at any
time be instituted involving the Equipment or the Lease Documents,
or in the pursuit of any remedies under the Lease
Documents.
4.3 Termination . Each
Lease shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the end of the
Term; or (b) the date upon which Lessor or Lessee terminates
the Lease pursuant to any terms hereunder. No termination (whether
by default or the passage of time) shall affect or impair the
rights, powers or privileges of Lessor or the liabilities of Lessee
relating to (i) any transaction or event occurring prior to
the effective date of such termination or (ii) any of the
undertakings, agreements, covenants, indemnifications,
representations or warranties of Lessee contained in the Lease
Documents. All such undertakings, agreements, covenants,
indemnities, representations, and warranties of Lessee shall
survive such termination and Lessor shall retain all of its rights
and remedies under the Lease Documents.
4.4 Noncancellable; Absolute
and Unconditional . Lessee agrees that each Schedule shall
be NON-CANCELABLE and that Lessee’s obligation to pay any and
all amounts due under the terms of each such Schedule promptly when
due is ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL, shall not be subject to
cancellation, termination, modification or repudiation by Lessee,
and shall be paid and performed by
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Lessee without notice or demand and without any
abatement, reduction, diminution, setoff, defense, counterclaim or
recoupment whatsoever, including: (i) any past, present or
future claims that Lessee may have against Lessor, Vendor, any
Permitted User or performance of any services relating to, any
Equipment or any other part of the Equipment, or any other Person
whatsoever; (ii) any defect in the title, condition, design,
or operation of, or lack of fitness for use of, or any damage to,
or loss of, all or any part of the Equipment or part of the
Equipment from any cause; (iii) the existence of any Liens on
the Equipment or any other part of the Equipment; (iv) the
invalidity, unenforceability or disaffirmance of this Lease or any
other Lease Document; (v) the prohibition of or interference
with the use or possession by Lessee of all or any part of the
Equipment or any other part of the Equipment, for any reason
whatsoever, including by reason of: (A) claims for patent,
trademark or copyright infringement; (B) present or future
governmental laws, rules or orders; (C) the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of any Person; and (D) any other
cause whether similar or dissimilar to the above, any present or
future law to the contrary notwithstanding (each, an “
Abatement ”). In no event will Lessee’s
obligations under this Lease be excused or suspended by reason of
strikes, embargoes, riot, war, acts of hostility, storm, fire,
earthquake, acts of God or any other cause or event including
frustration of purpose, impracticability or impossibility. Lessee
may not cancel this Lease, and unless expressly provided otherwise
herein or in the applicable Schedule, Lessee may not make any full
or partial prepayments with respect to sums due
hereunder.
Section 5
. Lessee
Options
5.1 Early Buyout Option
. Lessor hereby grants to Lessee the option, exercisable only
as provided herein, to purchase all but not less than all Equipment
leased pursuant to each Schedule prior to the expiration of the
Term for such Schedule, subject to the following: (a) so long
as no Event of Default, or event which with notice, lapse of time
or both would become an Event of Default shall have occurred,
Lessee shall have the right at its option to purchase all, but not
less than all, Equipment leased pursuant to each Schedule (the
“ EBO Equipment ”) on the Fifth
(5th) and Seventh (7th) anniversaries of the Base Term
Commencement Date (each an “ EBO Date ”);
provided, however, that Lessee shall have given at least ninety
(90) days but not more than one hundred fifty (150) days
prior written notice (which notice shall be irrevocable without
Lessor’s written consent) to Lessor; (b) on the EBO
Date: (i) Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount equal to:
(A) Seventy-Five Percent (75%) of the Lessor’s Cost
set forth on the Schedule in the event the EBO Date is the Fifth
anniversary of the Base Term Commencement Date or Fifty-Six Percent
(56%) of the Lessor’s Cost set forth on the Schedule in
the event the EBO Date is the Seventh anniversary of the Base Term
Commencement Date; plus (B) all other amounts due under such
Schedule with respect to the EBO Equipment, including the Rent
payment due on the EBO Date and applicable Taxes and other amounts
due or payable with respect to such sale and (ii) Lessor shall
sell such Equipment for cash to Lessee, AS IS, WHERE IS, without
recourse or warranty (except that Lessor has whatever title (if
any) to the Equipment that was conveyed to it by the Vendor free of
any security interest arising solely by reason of a claim against
Lessor that Lessee is not responsible to remove pursuant to this
Lease). Provided that Lessee has complied with all obligations
contained herein, such Schedule shall be deemed terminated on the
EBO Date and Lessee shall have no further obligations to pay Rent
thereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Lessee
hereby agrees that: (1) Lessee’s exercise of the Early
Buyout Option under this Section 5.1 with respect to Equipment
leased pursuant to one Schedule shall be automatically deemed to be
an election of its Early Buyout Option to purchase all Equipment
leased under all other Schedules to this Master Lease at the same
EBO Date (Fifth or Seventh anniversary, as applicable) for such
other Schedules in accordance with the terms thereof (which notice
shall be irrevocable without Lessor’s written consent); and
(2) if Lessee elects not to exercise its Early Buyout Option
to purchase Equipment pursuant to this Section 5.1 on any EBO
date with respect to any Schedule, it shall be deemed to have
waived its rights to exercise its Early Buyout Option to purchase
all Equipment leased under all other Schedules to this Master Lease
on the same EBO Date.
5.2 Purchase Option .
Provided that no Event of Default, and no event which with lapse of
time or giving of notice or both would become an Event of Default,
has occurred, Lessee may elect, by
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giving Lessor not less than one hundred eighty
(180) days but not more than two hundred forty (240) days
prior written notice (which notice shall be irrevocable without
Lessor’s written consent), to purchase all, but not less than
all, Equipment (the “ Purchased Equipment
”) as of the last day of the Base Term. In the event Lessee
elects to purchase the Purchased Equipment from Lessor, it shall
pay to Lessor on the date of expiration of the Base Term an amount
equal to Twenty Four and Fifteen One-Hundredths Percent
(24.15%) of the Lessor’s Cost set forth on the Schedule
together with all other amounts due under such Schedule with
respect to the Purchased Equipment plus applicable Taxes and other
amounts due or payable with respect to such sale. All Purchased
Equipment shall be sold to Lessee on an AS IS, WHERE IS
BASIS, without recourse or warranty (except that Lessor has
whatever title (if any) to the Equipment that was conveyed to it by
the Vendor free of any security interest arising solely by reason
of a claim against Lessor that Lessee is not responsible to remove
pursuant to this Lease). Lessor and Lessee agree that the
percentage multiplied by Lessor’s Cost in this
Section 5.2 is a reasonable estimate of the fair market value
of the Equipment at the end of the Base Term. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, Lessee hereby agrees that:
(a) Lessee’s exercise of its Purchase Option with
respect to Equipment leased pursuant to one Schedule shall be
automatically deemed to be an election of its option to purchase
all Equipment leased under all other Schedules to this Master Lease
at the end of the Base Term of such Schedules in accordance with
the terms thereof (which notice shall be irrevocable without
Lessor’s written consent); and (b) if Lessee elects not
to exercise its Purchase Option right with respect to any Schedule,
it shall be deemed to have waived its rights to exercise its option
to purchase all Equipment leased under all other Schedules to this
Master Lease.
5.3 Renewal Option
.
(a) Provided that no Event of
Default, and no event which with lapse of time or giving of notice
or both would become an Event of Default has occurred, Lessee shall
have the option, exercisable upon not less than one hundred eighty
(180) days but not more than two hundred forty (240) days
prior written notice (which notice shall be irrevocable without
Lessor’s written consent), to extend the Base Term for an
additional period of Sixty (60) months (the “
Renewal Term ”). During the Renewal Term, all
of the terms and provisions of this Lease, shall continue to apply
provided, however that quarterly Rent shall be adjusted at the
beginning of the Renewal Term to equal the Fair Market Rental Value
at such time. As used herein, the term “ Fair Market
Rental Value ” means the rental value of the
Equipment as determined on the basis of, and will be equal in
amount to, the value which one would obtain in an
arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing
lessee-user (other than a lessee currently in possession and a used
equipment dealer) and an informed and willing lessor under no
compulsion to lease and, in such determination it will be assumed
that the Equipment is in the condition required to be maintained
and returned under this Lease and is value on an installed basis
and the costs of removal from current location shall not be a
deduction from such valuation. For purposes of this Master Lease,
the Fair Market Rental Value for the Equipment shall be determined
by mutual agreement of Lessor and Lessee. If such mutual agreement
cannot be reached, then it shall be determined by the Appraisal
Process. If Fair Market Rental Value is not determined by the end
of the Base Term, the Base Term shall, at Lessor’s election,
be extended at the current Rental amount until Fair Market Rental
Value is calculated as provided herein. At the end of the Renewal
Term, Lessee shall comply with the provisions of this Lease
regarding return or purchase of the Equipment.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, Lessee hereby agrees that: (i) Lessee’s
exercise of its Renewal Option with respect to Equipment leased
pursuant to one Schedule shall be automatically deemed to be an
election of its Renewal Option with respect to all Equipment leased
under all other Schedules to this Master Lease at the end of the
Base Term of such Schedules in accordance with the terms thereof
(which notice shall be irrevocable without Lessor’s written
consent); and (ii) if Lessee elects not to exercise its
Renewal Option with respect to any Schedule, it shall be deemed to
have waived its rights to exercise its Renewal Option with respect
to all Equipment leased under all other Schedules to this Master
Lease.
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5.4 Return of
Equipment
(a) Unless Lessee purchases the
Equipment, if allowed in accordance with the terms hereof:
(i) Lessee shall be obligated to return the Equipment to
Lessor at the end of the Term or as required by Lessor upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 15.2; and
(ii) Lessee shall at its sole expense demobilize, load, and
transport the Equipment to any location in the Continental United
States designated by Lessor such that possession is delivered to
Lessor on the last day of the Term or immediately upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default; provided, however, that if the
location specified by Lessor is outside of the Return Radius from
the Property where the Equipment was located pursuant to the
applicable Permitted Use Agreement (the “ Site
Location ”), Lessor shall pay that portion of the
actual transportation costs which exceeds the transportation costs
which would have been incurred by Lessee in transporting the
Equipment a distance equal to the maximum Return Radius. As used
herein the “ Return Radius ” shall mean
the number of miles from the Vendor’s location from which the
Equipment was originally delivered to the Site Location.
(b) Any and all components of the
Equipment returned to Lessor shall be in the same physical and
mechanical condition as originally delivered (except for Reasonable
Wear and Tear) and in Average Saleable Condition. For purposes of
this Lease “ Reasonable Wear and Tear ”
shall mean: (i) the results of normal use of the Equipment as
originally intended assuming use and maintenance in accordance with
the Vendor’s recommendations and the complete absence of any
casualty, misuse, abuse, abandonment, improper care, accident,
negligence or similar occurrence with respect to the Equipment,
whether or not the Equipment is in use at the time of said
occurrence; and (ii) use that does not, in any way, impair the
function of the Equipment or prevent the Equipment from promptly
being placed into use. For purposes of this Lease “
Average Saleable Condition ” shall mean such
condition that: (A) all components have at least a fifty
(50%) remaining life until the next scheduled overhaul;
(B) the Equipment has been properly operated and maintained in
accordance with prudent industry practice; (C) the Equipment
operates at its rated horsepower, temperature, pressure, fuel
consumption, capacity, and efficiency and energy requirement,
Reasonable Wear and Tear excepted; and (D) in accordance with
any additional return requirements set forth in the applicable
Schedule.
(c) If Lessee is required to return
the Equipment in accordance with the terms hereof, Lessee shall
provide Lessor, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense at least
ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Term (or immediately
if the Equipment is returned due to an Event of Default), with a
true, accurate and complete set of all material documentation for
the Equipment setting forth a detailed description of its
components and its operating and maintenance history, all in form
reasonably satisfactory to Lessor. Lessee shall also, at its sole
expense (but not to exceed $250.00 per compressor package) at least
sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Base Term (or the
Renewal Term if Lessee has exercised its Renewal Option) have an
authorized manufacturers’ representative, or other person
approved in advance in writing by Lessor, review each compressor
package’s operating and maintenance history and, if requested
by Lessor, conduct various field tests to confirm that natural gas
compressor packages constituting the Equipment is in Average
Saleable Condition. Lessor shall also have the right to make such
inspections and tests as it deems necessary or desirable to
determine if the Equipment is in conformance with the requirements
listed in this Section 5.4.
(d) Lessor shall indicate its
approval or rejection of the condition of the returned Equipment by
having its authorized representative sign and deliver to Lessee the
Form Acceptance upon Return. If the Equipment does not meet the
physical and/or mechanical requirements set forth above, then
Lessee is to make the necessary corrections specified on the Form
Acceptance upon Return within thirty (30) days (during which
time Rent shall accrue and become due). Once such corrections are
satisfactorily made by Lessee as evidenced solely by Lessor’s
execution of the acceptance portion of the Form Acceptance upon
Return, the subject Equipment will be deemed accepted by Lessor for
purposes of in this Section 5.4. If the Equipment is not in
the condition required, Lessee shall pay to Lessor, on demand, all
costs, and
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expenses incurred by Lessor to bring the
Equipment into the required condition. Lessee expressly agrees
that, in the event Lessee does not elect to purchase the Equipment
in accordance with the terms hereof, Lessor has the right to
arrange for the sale or other disposition prior to the
Equipment’s return (provided that such sale shall not close
until the end of the applicable Term) and Lessee agrees to
facilitate any such sale or disposition of the Equipment and that
Lessor, its agents or employees, shall have the right to enter the
Property for the purpose of showcasing the Equipment for sale or
other disposition.
(e) Any entrance on the Property for
inspection, showcasing or other purposes under this
Section 5.4 shall be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.3(b) hereof.
Section 6
. Warranty Disclaimer;
Selection; Additional Disclaimers and Waivers
6.1 Warranty Disclaimer; No
Representations . LESSOR DOES NOT MAKE ANY, AND HEREBY
DISCLAIMS, EACH AND EVERY, WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO: (A) THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
OF THE EQUIPMENT OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE EQUIPMENT FOR ANY
PARTICULAR PURPOSE; (B) THE QUALITY, THE CAPACITY OF THE
EQUIPMENT OR THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE EQUIPMENT OR THE ABILITY OF THE
EQUIPMENT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF
ANY LAW, RULE, SPECIFICATIONS OR CONTRACT THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE
THERETO OR AS TO TITLE TO THE EQUIPMENT OR ANY COMPONENT OR ITEM
THEREOF; AND (C) THE LEGAL, TAX OR ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. IT IS AGREED THAT ALL SUCH RISKS,
AS BETWEEN LESSOR, ON THE ONE HAND, AND LESSEE, ON THE OTHER HAND,
ARE TO BE BORNE BY LESSEE AT ITS SOLE RISK AND EXPENSE.
6.2 Selection; Additional
Waivers; Purchase Agreements .
(a) Lessor shall have no
responsibility or liability to Lessee or any other Person with
respect to any of the following, regardless of any active or
passive negligence of Lessor: (i) any liability, loss or
damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by any
part of the Equipment or by any inadequacy thereof or caused or
alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by any part of the
Equipment or by any inadequacy thereof or deficiency or defect
therein or by any other circumstance in connection therewith;
(ii) the transportation, ownership, possession, use,
construction, operation, performance, maintenance, storage, repair,
reconstruction or return of any part of the Equipment or any risks
relating thereto; (iii) any interruption of service, loss of
business or anticipated profits or consequential damages. Lessee
further acknowledges and agrees that (A) it has selected the
Equipment and each and every part thereof and has not relied on any
representation or warranty by Lessor in connection with such
selection; (B) Lessor is not the manufacturer of the Equipment
or any component of the Equipment; (C) the Equipment and all
other components of the Equipment are, and will be upon execution
by Lessee of the applicable Schedule, of a size, design and make
selected by Lessee, suitable for Lessee’s purposes,
containing all safety features deemed necessary by Lessee,
(D) Lessor is not an agent of Vendor or supplier of any part
of the Equipment or any services in connection therewith or any
party representing or acting on behalf of any of the foregoing and
no such parties are agents of Lessor or otherwise authorized to
bind Lessor to any representation, warranty or agreement; and
(E) Lessor disclaims, and Lessee hereby waives, any right to
seek or recover from Lessor any punitive, consequential or
incidental damages which might be alleged to arise from a breach of
this Lease, any assignment of this Lease, the delivery or use of
the Equipment or any other claim which might be made by Lessee or
its assigns against Lessor.
(b) Lessee agrees that:
(i) each Purchase Agreement shall identify Lessor as the
Person with the right to purchase the Equipment pursuant to the
applicable Purchase Agreement, the right to take title to such
Equipment and the right to be named as the purchaser in the bill of
sale for such Equipment; and (ii) each Purchase Agreement, or
the bill of sale for such Equipment to be issued to Lessor in
accordance with
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the terms thereof, shall afford Lessor the
benefits of all warranty and indemnity provisions contained in any
such Purchase Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, Lessor shall have no liability under any Purchase
Agreement, shall not be obligated to perform any of the obligations
or duties of Lessee under any Purchase Agreement and shall not be
obligated to make any payment thereunder for the benefit of Lessee
(other than under the terms and conditions set forth in this
Lease). Each Purchase Agreement shall be acceptable to Lessor and
Lessee will have no right to bind Lessor to any change in the
Purchase Agreement, any delivery schedule, or any other agreement
whatsoever and Lessee not shall not change any Purchase Agreement
without Lessor’s prior written consent. So long as Lessee is
not in default hereunder, Lessor hereby appoints and constitutes
Lessee as its agent and attorney-in-fact during the term of this
Lease to assert and enforce from time to time, for the account of
Lessor, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, whatever claims
and rights Lessor may have against any Vendor for breach of
warranty.
Section 7
. Possession, Maintenance and
Use
7.1 Maintenance and Use of
Equipment . Lessee, at its expense, shall maintain the
Equipment in good operating order, repair and condition and shall
perform maintenance on the Equipment and other components of the
Equipment at least as frequently as set forth in any applicable
operator’s guide, service manual and/or lubrication and
maintenance guide for the Equipment. Lessee covenants and agrees
that: (a) it shall use, operate, maintain or store the
Equipment properly, carefully, safely or in accordance with:
(i) all Applicable Laws or regulations of any Governmental
Authority; (ii) all instructions, warranty provisions,
operating manuals prepared or released by the Vendor and any
manufacturer, supplier or maintenance organization for the
Equipment, including any service agreement; (iii) all
requirements of insurance maintained hereunder; and (iv) all
Permits and Related Rights; and (b) it will not:
(i) permit the Equipment to be used for any purpose other than
in the conduct of its business; (ii) abandon the Equipment;
(iii) permit the use of the Equipment to be changed from that
specified herein; (iv) permit any Equipment to be removed from
the location set forth on the Schedule as the location of the
Equipment without the prior written consent of Lessor;
(v) create, incur or allow to exist any Lien on any of its
rights hereunder or to the Equipment except for Liens granted to
Lessor pursuant to the Lease Documents; or (vi) permit the
Equipment to be operated Persons other than Persons who are
well-trained, competent and have sufficient experience and training
to operate the Equipment satisfactorily and correctly; (c) the
ordinary maintenance and repairs performed by Lessee pursuant to
any provisions of this Lease will not change the purpose or
character of the Equipment or materially enhance its value (as
opposed to preserving its value or slowing its depreciation);
(d) at the end of the Term, the Equipment can be removed from
the location in which it will be used by Lessee and the use of the
Equipment by a Person other than Lessee or an affiliate of Lessee
will be commercially feasible, assuming normal market conditions;
(e) the Rent does not materially exceed the Fair Market Rental
Value of the Equipment; (f) to the best of Lessee’s
knowledge, pursuant to general business practices, it is not
unusual or extraordinary for property the same as, or similar to,
the Equipment to be the subject of a lease for use similar to the
use intended by Lessee; (g) Lessee shall keep accurate records
of (i) all inventory and supplies used in connection with the
operation of the Equipment or stored at the Equipment (including
any solvents, lubricants or Hazardous Materials), (ii) the
operations of the Equipment, and (iii) the occurrence of any
event that may reasonably be considered to violate a Environmental
Law or result in Environmental Loss, and provide copies of such
written records to Lessor within five (5) days of
Lessor’s written request; and (h) Lessee (or a designee
approved by Lessor) shall be the sole operator of the Equipment and
Lessor shall not have any obligation or responsibility to operate
the Equipment or with respect to any designee approved by
Lessor.
7.2. Alterations to
Equipment . Provided that no Event of Default exists under
this Lease and no event which with lapse of time or giving of
notice or both would become an Event of Default, Lessee may at its
sole cost and expense make any alterations, additions, repairs,
modifications or attachments (“ Improvements
”) to the Equipment or any other part of the Equipment
provided that Lessee notifies
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Lessor in advance of such action in writing
(except in those cases where Lessee must make emergency or other
immediate Improvements to preserve or return the Equipment to
operational status or comply with Applicable Law, in which case
advance notice shall not be required and Lessee shall notify Lessor
as soon as is practicable after making such Improvements) and
provided further that such Improvements, in Lessor’s
judgment: (a) do not reduce the value or general usefulness of
any part of the Equipment; (b) do not impair the
certification, performance, safety, quality, capability, use or
character of any part of the Equipment, or alter the purpose for
which such Equipment was leased under this Lease; (c) do not
expose Lessor or any part of the Equipment to any Lien; (d) do
not adversely affect insurance coverage benefiting Lessor;
(e) are of a kind that customarily are made by lessees or
purchasers of Equipments similar to the Equipment; and
(f) will not cause the Equipment to become limited use
property within the meaning of Revenue Procedure 76-30 or
materially reduce its general usefulness. If no Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and such Improvements are readily
removable without causing material damage to the Equipment, Lessee
shall have the right to remove any Improvements at its own expense
prior to the return of the Equipment to Lessor, provided that
removal will not impair its originally intended function or use. If
any Improvements are not readily removable without causing material
damage to the Equipment (or if removable but not removed by Lessee
as when returned to Lessor), such Improvement shall automatically
and without payment by Lessor become the property of Lessor subject
to all provisions of this Lease.
7.3 Inspection
.
(a) Lessor and its agents shall have
the right at Lessee’s sole expense to inspect the Equipment,
observe its use and inspect any information, written or otherwise,
relating to it and to perform due diligence examinations and audit
Lessee not to exceed four times in any calendar year; provided that
Lessor is not obligated to do so and provided, further, that no
restrictions on how frequently Lessor may conduct such inspections
shall be applicable if a default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and then be continuing. Lessor assumes no responsibility
and waives no rights as a result of any inspection or observation
or the lack thereof.
(b) So long as no default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing:
(i) Lessor shall provide Lessee with reasonable advance notice
of such inspections; (ii) such inspections shall occur only at
reasonable times during usual business hours; and (iii) Lessee
shall have the right to have its representatives present during any
such inspections or other entry on the Property by Lessor, and
Lessor shall not enter the Property without having a Lessee
representative present.
7.4 Personal Property
. The Equipment shall remain personal property regardless of
its use or manner of attachment to the Property. The Lessee
recognizes that the Equipment and any improvements represented
thereby are removable and separable from, and not essential to, the
Property and recognizes the right of Lessor to remove any portion
of the Equipment and each Permitted Use Agreement shall contain
similar statements from the applicable Permitted Users in form and
substance satisfactory to Lessor.
Section 8
. Representations, Warranties
and Covenants .
8.1 Representations and
Warranties . In order to induce Lessor to enter into this
Lease, Lessee represents and warrants the following to Lessor as of
the date of this Master Lease and as of the date of each and every
Schedule entered into pursuant hereto unless otherwise stated
herein:
(a) Lessee is a limited
liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly
licensed or qualified to transact business in all other
jurisdictions where the character of the property owned or leased
or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such licensing
or qualification necessary.
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(b) To the Best of Lessee’s
Knowledge, Parent is a master limited partnership duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Delaware and is duly licensed or qualified to transact business
in all other jurisdictions where the character of the property
owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it
makes such licensing or qualification necessary. As used herein in
this Section 8, “ To the Best of Lessee’s
Knowledge ” shall mean that no President or Vice
President is aware of any facts that would give such Person actual
knowledge or actual notice, and that no such Person has any current
actual knowledge or current actual notice, that any such
representations or warranties are false. For the avoidance of doubt
the term “To the Best of Lessee’s Knowledge”
shall not include or in any way required any inquiry or other
investigation on the part of Lessee or any of its officers,
employees, agents or other representatives.
(c) Lessee has all requisite power
and authority, corporate or otherwise, and is duly authorized and
empowered to: (i) enter into, execute, deliver and perform all
of its Obligations under the Lease Documents; (ii) conduct its
business as presently conducted; and (iii) own and operate its
property and to operate the Equipment. The execution, delivery and
performance by Lessee of this Lease and each of the other Lease
Documents and the leasing hereunder have been duly authorized by
all necessary action and do not and will not (A) require any
consent or approval of additional members of Lessee or any
authorization, consent or approval by any Governmental Authority,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, (B) violate any provision of any Applicable Law, rule
or regulation or of any order, writ, injunction or decree presently
in effect having applicability to Lessee or of the formation or
governing documents of either such entity, (C) result in a
breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or
credit agreement (including any such agreements in effect as of the
date hereof between Lessee and any bank) or any other agreement,
lease or instrument to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee
or its property may be bound or affected (except for those with
Persons who have consented in writing thereto with copies of such
consents delivered to Lessor), which breach or default would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect as
described in Section 15.1(j), or (D) To the Best of
Lessee’s Knowledge, result in a breach of or constitute a
default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement (including
any such agreements in effect as of the date hereof between Parent
and any bank) or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which
Parent is a party or by which Parent or its property may be bound
or affected (except for those with Persons who have consented in
writing thereto with copies of such consents delivered to
Lessor).
(d) This Lease is, and each of the
other Lease Documents to which Lessee is a party, when delivered
will be, a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Lessee
enforceable against such entity in accordance with their respective
terms.
(e) No fact is known to Lessee that
has had or can reasonably be expected in the future to have a
material adverse effect on the business, property or financial
condition of Lessee (or, To the Best of Lessee’s Knowledge,
Parent) which has not been previously disclosed to Lessor by
Lessee.
(f) As of the date of this Master
Lease, the assets of Lessee are not subject to any Lien or the
terms of any security agreement other than: (i) any Lien in
favor of Lessor pursuant to the Lease Documents; (ii) any
inchoate Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business that
Lessee intends to remove in due course and (iii) any Liens set
forth in that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of December 1, 2004, among Regency Gas Services, LP,
Parent and other parties set forth therein.
(g) Lessee is not in default in any
material respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of
any indenture, loan or credit agreement, or to any lease or other
agreement or instrument material to Lessee’s business to
which it is a party or otherwise bound including this Lease or any
other Lease Documents.
9
(h) To the Best of Lessee’s
Knowledge, Parent is not in default in any material respect in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any indenture, loan or
credit agreement, or to any lease or other agreement or instrument
material to Parent’s business to which it is a party or
otherwise bound.
8.2 Covenants, Representations
and Warranties . In order to induce Lessor to enter into
this Lease, Lessee covenants, represents, warrants and agrees as of
the date of this Master Lease and for the entire Term of each and
every Schedule entered into pursuant hereto:
(a) All Financial Statements
heretofore and hereafter furnished to Lessor present fairly in all
material respects the financial condition of Lessee on the dates
thereof and the results of Lessee’s operations for the
periods then ended, and were prepared in accordance with GAAP.
There are no liabilities of Lessee, fixed or contingent, which are
material and are not reflected in the Financial Statements or the
notes thereto, other than liabilities arising in the ordinary
course of business since the date of the most recent Financial
Statement. The Financial Statements do not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit a material fact necessary to
make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.
Lessee shall at all times keep its books and records in accordance
with GAAP. Lessor shall have access to the segment information for
Lessee included in the public filings of the financial information
filed by the Parent in accordance with Applicable Laws of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. Lessee shall deliver, within
thirty (30) days of issue, to Lessor its un-audited,
internally generated, quarterly financial statements which are
intended for internal use only.
(b) There has been no change in the
business, assets, liabilities, business prospects, property, or
condition (financial or otherwise) of Lessee (or, To the Best of
Lessee’s Knowledge, Parent) which would have a material
adverse effect on the business, property, or financial condition of
Lessee since the date of the most recent Financial
Statements.
(c) All information supplied to
Lessor by Lessee (or on behalf of Lessee at Lessee’s
direction) with respect to any assets or other properties of Lessee
(whether prior to or subsequent to execution of this Lease), is and
shall be true and correct in all material respects.
(d) To the Best of Lessee’s
Knowledge, all information supplied to Lessor by Lessee (or on
behalf of Lessee at Lessee’s direction) with respect to any
assets or other properties of Parent (whether prior to or
subsequent to execution of this Lease), is and shall be true and
correct in all material respects.
(e) Lessee, in the conduct of all of
its business affairs, has complied and will continue to comply in
all material respects with the requirements of all Applicable Laws,
including all Environmental Laws, the noncompliance with which
would have a material adverse effect on the business, property or
financial condition of Lessee and the ability of Lessee to perform
under the Lease Documents. There have been no citations, notices,
or orders of noncompliance (that have not been complied with or
withdrawn) issued to Lessee under any Applicable Law which would
have a material adverse effect on the business, property, or
financial condition of Lessee. Lessee has, and is in good standing
with respect to, all governmental consents, approvals,
authorizations, permits, certificates, inspections and franchises
necessary to continue and to conduct in all material respects such
entity’s business as heretofore conducted (or proposed to be
conducted) by it and to own or lease and operate in all material
respects its properties as now owned or leased by it.
(f) Lessee represents and warrants
that none of (i) the ownership, leasing or operation of the
Equipment, (ii) the sale or use of electricity, steam or other
outputs therefrom or (iii) the consummation of any transaction
under this Lease or any of the other Lease Documents will cause
Lessee to become subject to regulation under (A) the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended from time to time
(“ PUHCA ”) as a “public-utility
company,” a “holding company,” or an
“affiliate” or “subsidiary company” of a
“holding company” or of a “public utility holding
company,” as those terms are used in PUHCA, or (B) the
Federal Power Act, other than regulation with respect to which the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or any successor agency or
commission thereto, may grant a waiver or pre-approval in an order
authorizing Lessee to sell power.
10
(g) Lessee has satisfied all
judgments and Lessee is not in default in any material respect with
respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree, rule, or
regulation of any court, arbitrator, Governmental Authority,
commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign.
(h) There are no actions, suits,
investigations or proceedings (“ Litigation
”) pending or, to the knowledge of Lessee, threatened against
or affecting Lessee or the properties of Lessee before any court or
Governmental Authority, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which, if determined
adversely to Lessee, could have a materially adverse effect on the
financial condition, properties or operations of Lessee or the
ability of Lessee to perform hereunder, under any other the Lease
Document. Lessee shall promptly notify Lessor in writing of the
occurrence of any such Litigation after execution of the Master
Lease.
(i) To the Best of Lessee’s
Knowledge, there is no Litigation pending or threatened against or
affecting Parent or the properties of Parent before any court or
Governmental Authority, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which, if determined
adversely to Parent, could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, properties or operations of Parent or Lessee
or the ability of Lessee to perform hereunder, under any other the
Lease Document. Lessee shall promptly notify Lessor in writing of
the occurrence of any such Litigation after execution of the Master
Lease, but only in the event that Lessee acquires knowledge or
notice or becomes aware of any such Litigation with respect to
Parent or Parent’s properties and such knowledge, notice or
awareness meets the definition of the term “To the Best of
Lessee’s Knowledge” 8.1(b) above.
(j) Lessee possesses all material
licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and
trade names or rights thereto, including all Permits and Related
Rights, to conduct its business substantially as now conducted and
as presently proposed to be conducted, and Lessee is not in
violation of any valid rights of others with respect to any of the
foregoing.
(k) Lessee has filed or caused to be
filed all tax returns which are required to be filed by it pursuant
to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations or
orders. Lessee has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all
Taxes which have or may have become due pursuant to said returns or
otherwise or pursuant to any assessment received by Lessee or
Parent. The charges, accruals, and reserves in respect of income
taxes on the books of Lessee is adequate. Lessee knows of no
proposed material Tax assessment against it and no extension of
time for the assessment of federal, state or local Taxes of Lessee
is in effect or has been required or applied for, except as
disclosed in the Financial Statements.
Section 9
. Conditions Precedent
. Any obligation of
Lessor to lease the Equipment described in each Schedule shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Lessor’s reasonable
satisfaction of all of the following conditions as well as any
additional conditions set forth in this Lease or any of the other
Lease Documents and such other documents, certifications, or
acknowledgments as Lessor shall reasonably request:
9.1 No Default . No
Event of Default or event or condition that, with notice, lapse of
time or both would become an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing;
9.2 Lease Documents .
Lessor shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to
Lessor, the following items: (a) a fully executed and
completed Schedule to which all exhibits, addenda and other
attachments referenced therein are attached, which such Schedule
shall contain any additional terms applicable to the Equipment and
other portion of the Equipment leased thereunder; (b) evidence
of Lessee’s insurance policies in accordance with
Section 14 hereof with financially sound and reputable
insurers, satisfactory to Lessor in its sole discretion; and
(c) such other items as Lessor shall reasonably specify in
this Lease or any Lease Documents.
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9.3 Permits and Related
Rights . Lessee shall have obtained (and, if requested by
Lessor, furnished to Lessor copies of) all Permits and Related
Rights;
9.4 Organizational/Governing
Documents; Existence and Good Standing . Lessor shall have
received copies of the organizational and governing documents of
Lessee that are certified by an authorized officer of Lessee, as
applicable, as being true and correct copies thereof. Lessor shall
have received a certificate of existence and good standing
certificate with respect to Lessee, issued as of a recent date by
the Secretary of State or other appropriate and authorized official
of Lessee’s jurisdictions of organization and, if different,
a good standing certificate issued with respect to Lessee as of a
recent date by the Secretary of State or other appropriate and
authorized official of the jurisdiction where the Equipment shall
be located;
9.5 Title; Precautionary Lien
Priority; No Liens . Lessor shall have received evidence
that: (i) upon paying the purchase price of the Equipment to
the Vendor, Lessor shall have good title, free of Liens and a
precautionary first priority security interest in such Equipment;
and (ii) placement of such Equipment at the location set forth
on the Schedule will not cause any Lien in favor of any Person
other than Lessor to attach to such Equipment.
9.6 Lessee’s
Authorization . Lessee shall have provided in form and
substance satisfactory to Lessor: (i) properly certified
resolutions of Lessee’s manager, managing member or other
governing body duly authorizing the execution and delivery of all
Lease Documents to which it is a party; and (ii) such other
authorizations and other documents as Lessor in its sole discretion
may require;
9.7 Financial Statements
. Lessor shall have received all financial statements required
under Section 10(a);
9.8 Representations and
Warranties . All representations and warranties herein
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date,
or to the extent they relate to an earlier date such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date and Lessor shall have
received a signed copy of a certificate in a form shown on
Exhibit D of an authorized officer of Lessee
certifying as to the foregoing;
9.9 No Material Adverse
Change . There shall not have occurred any material adverse
change in the business, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent),
operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Lessee or,
in the facts and information regarding Lessee as represented to
date. The determination of what shall constitute a material adverse
change shall be at Lessor’s sole reasonable
discretion.
9.10 Payment of Fees and
Expenses . Lessee shall have paid to Lessor all fees and
expenses specified in this Lease as may then be due and
payable;
9.11 Permitted Use Agreement;
Access .
(a) Lessor shall have approved the
Permitted Use Agreement related to the applicable Equipment and
shall have received such documentation as Lessor reasonably
requires to assure it of access to the Property for purposes of
inspection and enforcement of its rights hereunder upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section 9.11(a) hereof, Lessor agrees that Lessee may enter
into one or more Schedules with respect to Equipment (“
Uncommitted Equipment ”) that is not subject to
a Permitted Use Agreement at the time the Schedule is executed so
long as: (i) the total Lessor’s Cost of all Uncommitted
Equipment does not at any time exceed Seven Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000); (ii) any Uncommitted Equipment
is stored at a location acceptable to Lessor; (iii) Lessee
will take all action reasonably requested by Lessor to assure that
the Equipment will not be sold or encumbered by any Lien including
marking such Equipment conspicuously as property of Lessor;
(iv)
12
Lessee shall be diligently pursuing a Permitted
Use Agreement for such Equipment; and (v) no such Schedule
reduces the Fleet Utilization Rate or Equipment Utilization Rate
below the amount permitted under Section 10.2 hereof. Upon
Lessor’s written approval of a Permit