Exhibit 3.24
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP OF
W. O. PRODUCTION COMPANY,
LTD.
This Agreement of Limited Partnership (the
“Agreement”) is made as of the 30th day of October,
1996, by arid among W.O. ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the
“General Partner”), and W.O. ENERGY OF NEVADA, INC., a
Nevada corporation (the “Limited Partner”). (The
General Partner and the Limited Partner are herein referred to
collectively as the “Partners” and individually as a
“Partner”).
W I
T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to form a
limited partnership to own and acquire producing oil and gas
properties.
WHEREAS, the Limited Partner desires to invest
in such limited partnership as a limited partner thereof
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the
premises and the covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth,
the Partners hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Formation, Name, Principal
Place of Business, and Purposes
1.01
Formation of Partnership . The Partners hereby form a
limited partnership (the “Partnership”) pursuant and
subject to the provisions of the Texas Revised Limited Partnership
Act, as amended (the “Act”). The General Partner
shall cause the due filing and recording of a Certificate of
Limited Partnership in accordance with applicable statutory
requirements in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State
of Texas.
1.02
Name . The name of the Partnership shall be
“W.O. PRODUCTION COMPANY, LTD.” and the Partnership
shall conduct business under such name.
1.03
Principal Office, Registered Office and Registered Agent
. The address of the principal office of the Partnership in
Texas shall be Highway 152 West, Pampa, Texas, 79066. The address
of the registered office of the Partnership in Texas shall be
located on Highway 152, approximately one (1) mile west of the
City Limits of Pampa, Texas, and the registered agent for service
of process at such address shall be Miles O’Loughlin.
The Partnership may have other offices if deemed advisable by the
General Partner.
1.04
Purposes . Unless otherwise agreed to by Partners
owning at least two-thirds of the Partnership Interests at that
time, the purposes of the Partnership shall be to own and acquire
producing oil and gas properties, and to explore for oil and gas
and develop any reservoirs discovered by such exploration.
1.05
Definitions . Capitalized words and phrases used in
this Agreement have the following meanings:
(a)
“Act” means the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act,
as set forth in Article 6132a-1, Texas Revised Civil Statutes
Annotated, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding
provisions of succeeding law).
(b)
“Agreement” or “Partnership Agreement”
means this Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended from time
to time. Words such as “herein,”
“hereinafter,” “hereof,”
“hereto,” and “hereunder,” refer to this
Agreement as a whole, unless the context otherwise requires.
(c)
“Capital Account” means, with respect to any Partner,
the Capital Account maintained for such Partner in accordance with
the following provisions:
(i)
To each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be credited
such Partner’s Capital Contributions, such Partner’s
distributive share of Profits and any items in the nature of income
or gain which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 4.03
or Section 4.04 hereof, and the amount of any Partnership
liabilities assumed by such Partner or which are secured by any
Partnership Property distributed to such Partner.
(ii)
To each Partner’s Capital Account there shall be debited the
amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership
Property distributed to such Partner pursuant to any provision of
this Agreement, such Partner’s distributive share of Losses
and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are
specially allocated pursuant to Section 4.03 or
Section 4.04 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such
Partner assumed by the Partnership or which are secured by any
property contributed by such Partner to the Partnership.
(iii)
In the event any Partnership Interest is transferred in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to
the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to
the transferred Partnership Interest.
(iv)
In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of Sections
1.05(c)(i) and 1.05(c)(ii) hereof, there shall be taken
into account IRC § 752(c) and the Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, and any other applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations.
(v)
Simulated Depletion Deductions; Simulated Gains and Simulated
Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in the same ratios as
they are allocated the bases of the oil and gas properties giving
rise to such items and shall be debited or credited, as the
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case may be, to the Capital Accounts of such
Partners.
The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement
relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to
comply with Regulations § 1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted
and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. In
the event the General Partner determines that it is prudent to
modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or
credits, thereto, including, by way of illustration and not
limitation, debits or credits relating to liabilities that are
secured by contributed or distributed property or that are assumed
by the Partnership or the Partners, are computed in order to comply
with such Regulations, the General Partner may make such
modification, provided that it is not likely to have a material
effect on the amounts distributable to any Partner pursuant to
Section 7 hereof upon the liquidation of the
Partnership. The General Partner also shall (i) make any
adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality
between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of
Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance
sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with
Regulations § 1.704-1 (bX2Xiv)(q), and (ii) make any
appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might
otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations
§ 1.704-1(b).
(d)
“Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any
Partner, the amount of money and the initial Gross As set Value of
any property (other than money) contributed to the Partnership with
respect to the Partnership Interest held by such Partner, as
adjusted from time to time under Section 2.04 hereof.
(e)
“Code” and “IRC” mean the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding
provisions of succeeding law).
(f)
“Depreciation” means, for each fiscal year or other
period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other
cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such
year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an
asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax
purposes at the beginning of such year or other period,
Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such
beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such year or
other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided,
however, that if the federal income tax depreciation, amortization,
or other cost recovery deduction for such year is zero,
Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning
Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the
General Partner.
(g)
“General Partner” means any Person who (i) is
referred to as such in the first paragraph of this Agreement or has
become a General Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
and (ii) has not ceased to be a General Partner pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement. “General Partners”
means all such Persons. Whenever in this Agreement an action
is required or permitted to be taken by “the General
Partner,” such action may be taken by any General
Partner. All references herein to the singular General
Partner shall be deemed to be references to the plural General
Partners during such times Partnership has more than one
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General
Partner and reference to the plural General Partners shall be
deemed to be references to the singular General Partner during such
times Partnership has only one General Partner.
(h)
“General Partner Affiliate” means any person who
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
General Partner. For purposes of the preceding sentence
“control” shall mean the ownership, whether
beneficially or of record, of more than 50% of the stock, capital,
profits, or equity or beneficial interests of the Person in
question. In determining ownership, the rules for
constructive ownership of stock provided in
Section 267(c) of the Code shall be applied.
(i)
“Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset,
the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes,
except as follows:
(i)
The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Partner
to the Partnership shall be the gross fair market value of such
asset, as determined by the contributing Partner and the
Partnership.
(ii)
The Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted
to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined
by the General Partner, as of the following times: (a) the
acquisition of an additional Partnership Interest by any new or
existing partner in exchange for more than a de
minimis Capital Contribution; (b) the distribution by
the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de
minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for
a Partnership Interest; and (c) the liquidation of the
Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1
.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(g); provided, however, that the adjustments
pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above shall be made only
if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustments
are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic
interests of the Partners.
(iii)
The Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset distributed to any
Partner shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the
date of distribution.
(iv)
The Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or
decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted bases of such
assets pursuant to IRC § 734(b) or IRC § 743(b), but
only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in
determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations §
l.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(m) and Section 4.03(f) hereof;
provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted
pursuant to this Section 1 .05(i)(iv)to the extent the General
Partner determines that an adjustment pursuant to
Section 1.05(0(u) hereof is necessary or appropriate in
connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an
adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.05(i) (iv).
If the Gross
Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
Section 1.05(0(i) , Section 1.05(i)(ii) ,
or Section 1.05(i)(iv) hereof, such Gross Asset Value
shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account
with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits and
Losses.
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(j)
“Limited Partner” means any Person (i) whose name
is set forth as such on the signature page of this Agreement
or who has been admitted as an additional or Substituted Limited
Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) who
is the owner of a Partnership Interest. “Limited
Partners” means all such Persons.
(k)
“Nonrecourse Deductions” means the excess, if any, of
the net increase, if any, in the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain
during that fiscal year over the aggregate amount of any
distributions during that fiscal year Of proceeds of a Nonrecourse
Liability that are allocable to an increase in Partnership Minimum
Gain.
(l)
“Nonrecourse Liability” means any liability of the
Partnership for which no Partner in his capacity as a Partner bears
the economic risk of loss.
(m)
“Partner Minimum Gain” means the sum of amounts,
determined with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to
the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if each Partner
Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability.
(n)
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” means any Nonrecourse
Liability for which any Partner bears the economic risk of
loss.
(o)
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means the excess, if
any, of the net increase, if any, in the amount of Partner Minimum
Gain attributable to Partner Nonrecourse Debt during that fiscal
year over the aggregate amount of any distributions during that
fiscal year to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss for
such Partner Nonrecourse Debt to the extent such distributions are
from the proceeds of such Partner Nonrecourse Debt and are
allocable to an increase in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to
such Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
(p)
“Partners” means all General Partners and Limited
Partners, where no distinction is required by the context in which
the term is used. “Partner” means any one of the
Partners.
(q)
“Partnership” means the partnership created pursuant to
this Agreement and the partnership continuing the business of this
Partnership in the event of dissolution as herein provided.
(r)
“Partnership Minimum Gain” means, with respect to each
Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of gain that would be realized by
the Partnership if it sold the property subject to the liability in
a taxable transaction for an amount equal to that Nonrecourse
Liability.
(s)
“Partnership Interest” means a Partner’s interest
in the Partnership, including the right to receive distributions of
Partnership assets and the right to receive allocations of income,
gain, loss, deduction, and credit of the Partnership. For
purposes of determining the percentage that a Partnership Interest
represents in the Partnership, the percentage of Partnership
Profits allocated to that Partnership Interest under
Section 4.01 hereof at the time of the determination shall
govern.
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(t)
“Partnership Property” means all real and personal
property acquired by the Partnership and any improvements thereto,
and shall include both tangible and intangible property.
(u)
“Person” means any individual, partnership,
corporation, trust, or other entity.
(v)
“Profits” and “Losses” means, for each
fiscal year or other period, an amount equal to the
Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year or period,
determined in accordance with IRC § 703(a) (for this
purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to
be stated separately pursuant to IRC § 703(a)( 1) shall be
included in taxable income or loss), with the following
adjustments:
(i)
Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income
tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or
Losses pursuant to this Section 1.05(v) shall be added to
such taxable income or loss.
(ii)
Any expenditures of the Partnership described in IRC §
705(a)(2)(B) or treated as IRC §
705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations §
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in
computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this Section 1.05(v),
shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss.
(iii)
In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is
adjusted pursuant to Section 1 . 05(i)(ii) or
Section 1.05(i)(iii) hereof, the amount of such
adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the
disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Profits or
Losses.
(iv)
Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Partnership Property
with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income
tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset
Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the
adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset
Value.
(v)
In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery
deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or
loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such
fiscal year or other period, computed in accordance with
Section 1.05(f) hereof.
(vi)
Simulated Depletion Deductions, Simulated Gains and Simulated
Losses shall be taken into account and allocated in the manner
provided in Section 1.05(c)(5) hereof.
(vii)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 1.05(v),
any items which are specially allocated pursuant to
Section 4.03 hereof shall not be taken into account in
computing Profits or Losses.
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(w)
“Regulations” means the Income Tax Regulations,
including Temporary Regulations, promulgated under the Code, as
such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
(x)
“Simulated Depletion Deductions” means the hypothetical
depletion allowance computed by the Partnership with respect to its
oil and gas properties pursuant to
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2) of the Regulations.
In computing such amounts, the Partnership shall use the method of
depletion that produces, with respect to each oil and gas property
owned by the Partnership, the largest Simulated Depletion
Deduction, and the General Partner shall have authority to make any
and all permissible elections for such purpose.
(y)
“Simulated Gain” and “Simulated Losses”
mean, respectively, the hypothetical gains and losses computed by
the Partnership with respect to its oil and gas properties pursuant
to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2) of the
Regulations. In computing such gains and losses, the General
Partner shall have authority to make any and all permissible
elections.
(z)
“Transfer” means, as a noun, any voluntary or
involuntary transfer, sale, pledge, hypothecation, or other
disposition and, as a verb, voluntarily or involuntarily, to
transfer, sell, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of
ARTICLE II
Capital
2.01
Capital Contributions of W.O. Energy, Inc. . As
its initial contribution to the capital of the Partnership, W.O.
Energy, Inc. shall contribute the assets set forth on Schedule
“A” to this Agreement. In exchange therefor, W.O.
Energy, Inc. shall be entitled to receive Partnership
Interests, as both a General Partner and a Limited Partner, as set
forth on the signature page hereto. The Partners
acknowledge and consent to the assignment by W.O. Energy, Inc.
of its interest as a Limited Partner to W.O. Energy of
Nevada, Inc. immediately following formation of the
Partnership.
2.02
Capital Contributions of W.O. Energy of Nevada, Inc.
. As its initial contribution to the capital of the
Partnership, W.O. Energy of Nevada, Inc. shall contribute the
suit of $1,000.00 in cash. In exchange therefor, W.O. Energy
of Nevada shall be entitled to receive the Partnership Interest, as
a Limited Partner, set forth on the signature page hereto.
2.03
Other Matters Relating to Capital Contributions .
(a)
Loans by any Partner to the Partnership shall not be considered
contributions to the capital of the Partnership.
(b)
No Partner shall be required to make contributions to the capital
of the Partnership in excess of those contributions required under
this Article II.
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(c)
No Partner shall be entitled to withdraw, or to a return of, any
part of its contribution to the capital of the Partnership or to
receive property or assets other than cash in return thereof
(subject to the provisions of Section 7.05 below), and the
General Partner shall not be liable to the Limited Partner for a
return of its contributions to the capital of the Partnership.
(d)
No Partner shall be entitled to priority over any other Partner,
either with respect to a return of its contribution to the capital
of the Partnership, or to allocations of taxable income, gains,
losses or credits, or to distributions, except as expressly
provided in this Agreement.
(e)
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership to the Partners on
contributions to the capital of the Partnership.
2.04
Additional Contributions by Partners . The General
Partner may, in its discretion, contribute additional funds to the
Partnership at any time; however, unless such additional Capital
Contribution is approved by Limited Partners who own more than
two-thirds of the Partnership Interests that are owned by Limited
Partners in the manner hereinafter provided, such Capital
Contribution will not result in an increase in the General
Partner’s share of the Profits or Losses of the
Partnership. The General Partner may request additional
Capital Contributions from the Limited Partners only in accordance
with the following provisions:
(a)
The General Partner shall deliver to each Limited Partner a notice
of its request for additional Capital Contributions. Such
notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the total additional
Capital Contributions requested; each Limited Partner’s share
of the requested additional Capital Contribution; the purpose for
such request and the uses to which the contributed funds will be
applied; and the date (which shall be not less than 30 days after
the date of such notice) upon which such additional Capital
Contributions are to be paid to the Partnership.
(b)
Within 15 days after the date of such notice, each Limited Partner
shall notify the General Partner whether that Partner consents to
such additional Capital Contribution. A Limited
Partner’s consent to the request shall constitute that
Limited Partner’s agreement (subject to the requirement that
Limited Partners owning at least two-thirds of the Partnership
Interests owned by Limited Partners also consent) to make the
Limited Partner’s share of the requested Capital Contribution
on or before the date specified in the notice given by the General
Partner. Failure of a Limited Partner to reply to the notice
given by the General Partner shall be construed as that Limited
Partner’s lack of consent and refusal to make the requested
Capital Contribution.
(c)
If the requisited consent of the Limited Partners is obtained,
those Limited Partners who consent to the additional Capital
Contribution shall make such contribution on or before the date
specified in the notice given by the General Partner. Those
Limited Partners who do not consent to such contribution shall have
no obligation to the Partnership or the other Partners as a result
of their refusal. If the requisite percentage, but less than
all, of the Limited Partners consent to the request, all or any one
of those Partners who consented thereto may, but shall not be
required to, contribute all or any portion of the additional
Capital Contribution that the non-consenting Limited Partners
failed to contribute in proportion to their initial obligations
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to make the
additional Capital Contribution.
(d)
If the Limited Partners do not consent to the additional Capital
Contribution in the manner described in this Section 2.04, the
General Partner may cause the Partnership to borrow any funds the
General Partner believes are required by the Partnership from any
Person, including the General Partner or any General Partner
Affiliate. Any loan made by the General Partner or any
General Partner Affiliate to the Partnership shall be unsecured and
shall bear interest at a rate no higher than the applicable federal
rate, as defined in IRC § 1274(d), for mid-term obligations,
payable quarterly, as published by the Internal Revenue Service for
the month during which the funds are advanced to the
Partnership. Such rate shall remain constant throughout the
term of any such loan.
(e)
As used in this Section 2.04, a Partner’s share of a
requested additional Capital Contribution shall be that amount
equal to the requested Capital Contribution multiplied by the
Partner’s interest in the Profits of the Partnership at the
time such request is made by the General Partner.
2.05
Capital Accounts . A Capital Account shall be
maintained for each Partner on the books and records of the
Partnership. The Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be
calculated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2.06
Deficit Capital Accounts . Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner with a deficit
balance in its Capital Account shall have any obligation to restore
such deficit balance, or to make any contribution to the capital of
the Partnership by reason thereof.
ARTICLE III
Management
3.01
General Management . The management and control of the
affairs of the Partnership and the maintenance of Partnership
Property shall rest exclusively with the General Partner, and in
connection with the management of the affairs of the Partnership,
the General Partner shall have the right and absolute discretion to
utilize the Capital Contributions of the Partners for Partnership
purposes, but not for other purposes.
3.02
Fees and Expenses . The General Partner shall be
reimbursed by the Partnership for fees and expenses paid or
incurred by it in the organization of the Partnership.
3.03
Powers of the General Partner . The General Partner is
hereby authorized and empowered to carry out and implement any and
all of the purposes of the Partnership; and in that connection, the
General Partner, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
shall have all the rights and powers as a general partner necessary
to accomplish its duties hereunder, except as expressly limited in
the Act. The General Partner shall have the right and power
to designate others (other than General Partner Affiliates), to act
in its behalf in implementing its actions as General Partner.
The powers of the General Partner shall include, but shall not be
limited to, the
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powers to do
the following:
(a)
To enter into and execute all contracts, agreements, assignments,
and other instruments to which the Partnership may be a party or a
signatory, including, without limitation, such contracts and other
agreements as may be necessary to lease suitable office and storage
space for the conduct of Partnership operations;
(b)
To make capital expenditures and improvements to the real property
owned or leased by the Partnership necessary for its purposes, and
to take all actions reasonably necessary for the maintenance,
operation, and management thereof;
(c)
To engage contractors, attorneys, accountants, and such other
personnel upon such terms as may be deemed necessary or
advisable;
(d)
To open, maintain, and close Partnership bank accounts and to draw
checks and other orders for the payment of money;
(e)
To make, issue, accept, endorse, and execute checks, drafts, bills
of exchange, and other instruments, without limit as to amount;
(f)
To borrow money on behalf of the Partnership from such Persons in
such amounts and upon such terms as the General Partner deems
appropriate and in the best interest of the Partnership;
(g)
To establish and maintain accounts, including margin accounts, with
brokerage firms and commodity houses, and in connection therewith,
to buy, sell and otherwise deal in, stocks, bonds, options, puts,
calls, commodity contracts and futures and other investment
arrangements;
(h)
To take such other actions and incur such other expenses as may be
necessary, prudent, or advisable in connection with the conduct of
the affairs of the Partnership;
(i)
Without limiting the generality of any other powers granted to the
General Partner pursuant to this Agreement, to cause funds of the
Partnership to be deposited in accounts at financial institutions
with which the General Partner maintains banking relations or has
ownership interests, including financial institutions from which
the General Partner borrows funds and with which informal or formal
arrangements exist pursuant to which the General Partner maintains
compensating balances; provided, however, that any deposits in
excess of $20,000.00 must bear interest at market rates; and
(j)
Subject to applicable law, make any and all Partnership elections
for federal, state and local tax purposes, including, without
limitation, any election, if permitted by applicable law, to adjust
the basis of Partnership Property pursuant to Code Sections
754, 734(b), or comparable provisions of state or local law,
in connection with the Transfers of Interests and Partnership
distributions.
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3.04
Limitations on Authority of the General Partner .
Without the written consent of Limited Partners owning at least
two-thirds of the Partnership Interests owned by Limited Partners,
the General Partner may not:
(a)
Acquire any business or interest in any business other than an
interest represented by marketable securities or cause the
Partnership to merge with or into any other business or Person;
(b)
Expand the purpose of the Partnership; or
(c)
Take, cause or permit any action that would result in the
dissolution of the Partnership.
3.05
Activity of the General Partner . Although nothing
herein shall require the General Partner to devote its full time to
the conduct of the affairs of the Partnership, the General Partner
shall use reasonable efforts to carry out and implement the
purposes of the Partnership and shall devote to the conduct of the
affairs of the Partnership such time and activity as is reasonably
necessary to manage and supervise the Partnership business and
affairs in an efficient manner.
3.06
Holding of the Assets of
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