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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Loan Agreement

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT | Document Parties: CANO PETROLEUM, INC | UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. You are currently viewing:
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CANO PETROLEUM, INC | UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.

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Title: AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Texas     Date: 2/9/2009
Industry: Oil and Gas Operations     Law Firm: Haynes Boone;Bracewell Giuliani     Sector: Energy

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, Parties: cano petroleum  inc , union bank of california  n.a.
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Exhibit 10.7

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

$120,000,000

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Among

 

CANO PETROLEUM, INC.

 

as Borrower,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME

 

as Lenders,

 

and

 

UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.

 

as Administrative Agent and as Issuing Lender

 

December 17, 2008

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01

 

Certain Defined Terms

 

1

Section 1.02

 

Computation of Time Periods

 

20

Section 1.03

 

Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP

 

20

Section 1.04

 

Types of Advances

 

20

Section 1.05

 

Miscellaneous

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

CREDIT FACILITIES

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01

 

Commitment for Advances

 

21

Section 2.02

 

Borrowing Base

 

22

Section 2.03

 

Method of Borrowing

 

24

Section 2.04

 

Reduction of the Commitments

 

27

Section 2.05

 

Prepayment of Advances

 

27

Section 2.06

 

Repayment of Advances

 

30

Section 2.07

 

Letters of Credit

 

30

Section 2.08

 

Fees

 

34

Section 2.09

 

Interest

 

35

Section 2.10

 

Payments and Computations

 

36

Section 2.11

 

Sharing of Payments, Etc.

 

37

Section 2.12

 

Breakage Costs

 

38

Section 2.13

 

Increased Costs

 

38

Section 2.14

 

Taxes

 

39

Section 2.15

 

Replacement of Lender

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS OF LENDING

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01

 

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness

 

42

Section 3.02

 

Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

 

Existence; Subsidiaries

 

46

Section 4.02

 

Power

 

46

Section 4.03

 

Authorization and Approvals

 

47

Section 4.04

 

Enforceable Obligations

 

47

Section 4.05

 

Financial Statements

 

47

Section 4.06

 

True and Complete Disclosure

 

48

Section 4.07

 

Litigation; Compliance with Laws

 

48

Section 4.08

 

Use of Proceeds

 

48

Section 4.09

 

Investment Company Act

 

48

Section 4.10

 

Federal Power Act

 

49

Section 4.11

 

Taxes

 

49

Section 4.12

 

Pension Plans

 

49

 

i



 

Section 4.13

 

Condition of Property; Casualties

 

50

Section 4.14

 

No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults

 

50

Section 4.15

 

Environmental Condition

 

50

Section 4.16

 

Permits, Licenses, Etc.

 

51

Section 4.17

 

Gas Contracts

 

51

Section 4.18

 

Liens; Titles, Leases, Etc.

 

52

Section 4.19

 

Solvency and Insurance

 

52

Section 4.20

 

Hedging Agreements

 

52

Section 4.21

 

Material Agreements

 

52

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

53

 

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01

 

Compliance with Laws, Etc.

 

53

Section 5.02

 

Maintenance of Insurance

 

53

Section 5.03

 

Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.

 

54

Section 5.04

 

Payment of Taxes, Etc.

 

54

Section 5.05

 

Visitation Rights

 

54

Section 5.06

 

Reporting Requirements

 

54

Section 5.07

 

Maintenance of Property

 

58

Section 5.08

 

Agreement to Pledge

 

58

Section 5.09

 

Use of Proceeds

 

58

Section 5.10

 

Title Evidence and Opinions

 

58

Section 5.11

 

Further Assurances; Cure of Title Defects

 

59

Section 5.12

 

Hedging Arrangements

 

59

Section 5.13

 

Bank Accounts

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01

 

Liens, Etc.

 

60

Section 6.02

 

Debts, Guaranties, and Other Obligations

 

61

Section 6.03

 

Agreements Restricting Liens and Distributions

 

62

Section 6.04

 

Merger or Consolidation; Asset Sales

 

62

Section 6.05

 

Restricted Payments

 

63

Section 6.06

 

Investments

 

63

Section 6.07

 

Affiliate Transactions

 

64

Section 6.08

 

Compliance with ERISA

 

64

Section 6.09

 

Sale-and-Leaseback

 

65

Section 6.10

 

Change of Business

 

65

Section 6.11

 

Organizational Documents, Name Change

 

65

Section 6.12

 

Use of Proceeds; Letters of Credit

 

65

Section 6.13

 

Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments

 

65

Section 6.14

 

Limitation on Speculative Hedging

 

66

Section 6.15

 

Additional Subsidiaries; Additional Oil and Gas Properties

 

66

Section 6.16

 

Account Payables

 

66

Section 6.17

 

Current Ratio

 

66

Section 6.18

 

Leverage Ratio

 

67

Section 6.19

 

Interest Coverage Ratio

 

67

Section 6.20

 

Subordinated Debt

 

67

 

ii



 

Section 6.21

 

Non-Guarantor Subsidiary

 

67

Section 6.22

 

Equity Issuance

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01

 

Events of Default

 

67

Section 7.02

 

Optional Acceleration of Maturity

 

70

Section 7.03

 

Automatic Acceleration of Maturity

 

71

Section 7.04

 

Right of Set-off

 

71

Section 7.05

 

Non-exclusivity of Remedies

 

71

Section 7.06

 

Application of Proceeds

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE ISSUING LENDER

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01

 

Authorization and Action

 

72

Section 8.02

 

Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc.

 

72

Section 8.03

 

The Administrative Agent and Its Affiliates

 

73

Section 8.04

 

Lender Credit Decision

 

73

Section 8.05

 

Indemnification

 

73

Section 8.06

 

Successor Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender

 

74

Section 8.07

 

Collateral Matters

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01

 

Amendments, Etc.

 

76

Section 9.02

 

Notices, Etc.

 

77

Section 9.03

 

No Waiver; Remedies

 

77

Section 9.04

 

Costs and Expenses

 

77

Section 9.05

 

Binding Effect

 

78

Section 9.06

 

Lender Assignments and Participations

 

78

Section 9.07

 

Indemnification; Waiver

 

80

Section 9.08

 

Execution in Counterparts

 

81

Section 9.09

 

Survival of Representations, Etc.

 

81

Section 9.10

 

Severability

 

81

Section 9.11

 

Business Loans

 

81

Section 9.12

 

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

 

82

Section 9.13

 

Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement

 

82

Section 9.14

 

USA Patriot Act

 

82

Section 9.15

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

83

Section 9.16

 

ORAL AGREEMENTS

 

83

 

EXHIBITS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

-

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

 

Exhibit B

-

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

Exhibit C

-

Form of Guaranty

 

Exhibit D

-

Form of Mortgage

 

Exhibit E

-

Form of Note

 

Exhibit F

-

Form of Notice of Borrowing

 

 

iii



 

Exhibit G

-

Form of Notice of Conversion or Continuation

 

Exhibit H

-

Form of Pledge Agreement

 

Exhibit I

-

Form of Security Agreement

 

Exhibit J

-

Form of Transfer Letters

 

Exhibit K

-

Form of Borrower’s Counsel Opinion

 

 

SCHEDULES:

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule I        -

Pricing Grid

 

Schedule II      - 

Notice Information and Commitments

 

Schedule 4.01 -

Subsidiaries of Borrower

 

Schedule 4.05 -

Existing Debt

 

Schedule 4.07 -

Litigation

 

Schedule 4.14(a) -

MAC Documents

 

Schedule 4.20 -

Hedging Contracts

 

Schedule 4.21 -

Material Agreements

 

 

iv



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 17, 2008 is among Cano Petroleum, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the lenders party hereto from time to time (“Lenders”), and Union Bank of California, N.A., as administrative agent for such Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as issuing lender for such Lenders (in such capacity, the “Issuing Lender”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            The Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, and the Lenders have previously executed and delivered that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 29, 2005, as heretofore amended (as so amended, the “ Restated Agreement ”).

 

B.            The Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, and the Lenders desire to amend and restate (but not extinguish) the Restated Agreement in its entirety as hereinafter set forth through the execution of this Agreement.

 

C.            It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Agreement is an amendment and restatement of the Restated Agreement, not a new or substitute credit agreement or novation of the Restated Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, and the Lenders, (i) do hereby agree that the Restated Agreement is amended and restated (but not substituted or extinguished) in its entirety as set forth herein, and (ii) do hereby further agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

Section 1.01           Certain Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the terms defined above shall have the meanings set forth therein and the following terms shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise indicated, such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

Acceptable Security Interest ” in any Property means a Lien which (a) exists in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (b) is superior to all Liens or rights of any other Person in the Property encumbered thereby, other than Permitted Prior Liens, (c) secures the Obligations, and (d) is perfected and enforceable.

 

Acquisition ” means the purchase by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any business, including the purchase of all or substantially all the associated assets or operations or of stock (or other ownership interests) of a Person (other than of a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower).

 



 

Adjusted Reference Rate ” means, for any day, the fluctuating rate per annum of interest equal to the greatest of (a) the Reference Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for an Interest Period of one month which begins on such day plus 1.50%.

 

Administrative Agent ” means Union Bank of California, N.A., in its capacity as agent pursuant to Article VIII, and any successor agent pursuant to Section 8.06.

 

Advance ” means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) as part of a Borrowing and refers to a Reference Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance.

 

Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person.  The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” or “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of a Control Percentage, by contract, or otherwise.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

 

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as the same may be further amended, supplemented, restated, and otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Applicable Margin ” means, with respect to any Advance, (a) during any time when an Event of Default exists, 3% per annum plus the rate per annum set forth in the Pricing Grid for the relevant Type of such Advance based on the present Utilization Level applicable from time to time, and (b) at any other time, the rate per annum set forth in the Pricing Grid for the relevant Type of such Advance based on the relevant Utilization Level applicable from time to time.  The Applicable Margin for any Advance shall change when and as the relevant Utilization Level changes and when and as any such Event of Default commences or terminates.

 

Assignment and Acceptance ” means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit A.

 

Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of Advances made on the same day by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

Borrowing Base ” means at any particular time, the Dollar amount determined in accordance with Section 2.02 on account of Proven Reserves attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to an Acceptable Security Interest and described in the most recent Independent Engineering Report or Internal Engineering Report, as applicable, delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.02.

 

Business Day ” means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California and, if the applicable Business Day relates to

 

2



 

any Eurodollar Rate Advances, on which dealings are carried on by banks in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Leases ” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property by such Person as lessee which would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

Cash Collateral Account ” means a special interest bearing cash collateral account pledged by the Borrower to the Issuing Lender containing cash deposited pursuant to Sections 2.05(b), 7.02(b), or 7.03(b) to be maintained with the Issuing Lender in accordance with Section 2.07(g) and bear interest or be invested in the Issuing Lender’s reasonable discretion.

 

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, state and local analogs, and all rules and regulations and requirements thereunder in each case as now or hereafter in effect.

 

Certificate of Designation ” means the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock of Cano Petroleum, Inc. which is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 31, 2006 and which has been acknowledged by the Administrative Agent on August 25, 2006.

 

Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) the Borrower ceases to own, either directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interest in any Subsidiary other than as a result of a sale of assets or merger permitted under Section 6.04, (b) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 33% or more of the Equity Interest of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right), or (c) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body.   For purposes of this definition, “Permitted Holder” means any of the following: (A) any Person that is the “beneficial owner” (as referred to above) of an Equity Interest in the Borrower on the date hereof, (B) any such Person’s estate, spouse and lineal descendants and the legal representative of any of the foregoing, (C) the trustees of any bona fide trusts of which any of the foregoing are the sole beneficiaries and grantors, and (D) any corporation, limited

 

3



 

partnership, limited liability company, or similar entity, all of the Voting Securities of which is owned by any of the foregoing.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

Collateral ” means (a) all “Collateral”, “Pledged Collateral” and “Mortgaged Properties” (as defined in each of the Mortgages, the Security Agreements, and the Pledge Agreement, as applicable) or similar terms used in the Security Instruments, and (b) all amounts contained in the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ bank accounts.

 

Commitment ” means the amount set opposite such Lender’s name on the Schedule II hereof as its Commitment, or if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, as set forth for such Lender as its Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.06(c), as such amount may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article VII or otherwise under this Agreement.  The aggregate amount of the Commitments on the date hereof is $120,000,000.00.

 

Commitment Fee Rate ” means the per annum commitment fee rate set forth on the Pricing Grid applicable from time to time.  The Commitment Fee Rate shall change when and as the relevant Utilization Level changes.

 

Commitment Termination Date ” means the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the earlier termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article VII.

 

Compliance Certificate ” means a compliance certificate in the form of the attached Exhibit B signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the net income for such period after taxes, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, (a) extraordinary items, including (i) any net non-cash gain or loss during such period arising from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include all fixed assets and all securities) other than in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) any write-up or write-down of assets and (b) the cumulative effect of any change in GAAP.

 

Control Percentage ” means, with respect to any Person, the percentage of the outstanding Equity Interest (including any options, warrants or similar rights to purchase such Equity Interest) of such Person having ordinary voting power which gives the direct or indirect holder of such Equity Interest the power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of such Person.

 

Controlled Group ” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Convert ,” “ Conversion ,” and “ Converted ” each refers to a conversion of Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type pursuant to Section 2.03(b).

 

4



 

Credit Extensions ” means (a) an Advance made by any Lender, and (b) the issuance, increase or extension of any Letter of Credit by the Issuing Lender.

 

Debt ,” for any Person, means without duplication:

 

(a)           indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(b)           obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(c)           obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (including, without limitation, obligations that are non-recourse to the credit of such Person but are secured by the assets of such Person, but excluding trade accounts payable);

 

(d)           obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases and obligations of such Person in respect of synthetic leases;

 

(e)           obligations of such Person under letters of credit and agreements relating to the issuance of letters of credit or acceptance financing

 

(f)            obligations of such Person under any Hedge Contract;

 

(g)           obligations of such Person owing in respect of redeemable preferred stock or other preferred Equity Interest of such Person;

 

(h)           any obligations of such Person owing in connection with any volumetric or production prepayments;

 

(i)            obligations of such Person under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above;

 

(j)            indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above secured by any Lien on or in respect of any Property of such Person; and

 

(k)           all liabilities of such Person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any Plan.

 

Debt Issuance ” means the issuance by the Borrower of Debt in the form of convertible notes.

 

Debt Issuance Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Debt Issuance, all cash and cash equivalent investments received by the Borrower from such Debt Issuance after payment of, or provision for, all underwriter fees and expenses, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such Debt Issuance.

 

5



 

Default ” means (a) an Event of Default or (b) any event or condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance or participation in Letter of Credit Obligations required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless such failure has been cured within three Business Days (or such longer time period accepted by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent), (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or unless such failure has been cured within three Business Days (or such longer time period accepted by the Administrative Agent or such other Lender, as applicable), or (c) has, or has an Affiliate that has, been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

 

Dollars ” and “ $ ” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

EBITDA ” means, for any period, without duplication, (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, Interest Expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other non-cash charges for such period (including any provision for the reduction in the carrying value of assets recorded in accordance with GAAP and including non-cash charges resulting from the requirements of SFAS 133 or 143) for such period minus (c) all non-cash items of income which were included in determining such Consolidated Net Income (including non-cash income resulting from the requirements of SFAS 133 or 143) plus (d) the net gain on the Pantwist Sale; provided that this clause (d) shall only apply for the financial covenant ratios calculated at, and as of, the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008, March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009, plus (e) without duplication, any items provided for in clause (a), (b) and (c) above associated with Pantwist, LLC for any period that such Person was a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that, such EBITDA shall be subject to pro forma adjustments for the Acquisition and for acquisitions and non-ordinary course asset sales assuming that such transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, which adjustments shall be made in accordance with the guidelines for pro forma presentations set forth by the SEC or in a manner otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Effective Date ” means December 17, 2008.

 

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) any Lender, (b) any Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Lender, and (c) any commercial bank or other financial institution (i) approved by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in their sole discretion, and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, reasonably acceptable to the Borrower.

 

Engineering Report ” means either an Independent Engineering Report or an Internal Engineering Report.

 

Environment ” or “ Environmental ” shall have the meanings set forth in 42 U.S.C.  9601(8) (1988).

 

6



 

Environmental Claim ” means any third party (including governmental agencies and employees) action, lawsuit, claim, demand, regulatory action or proceeding, order, decree, consent agreement or notice of potential or actual responsibility or violation (including claims or proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts or similar laws or requirements relating to health or safety of employees) which seeks to impose liability under any Environmental Law.

 

Environmental Law ” means, as to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, all Legal Requirements or common law theories applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries arising from, relating to, or in connection with the Environment, health, or safety, including without limitation CERCLA, relating to (a) pollution, contamination, injury, destruction, loss, protection, cleanup, reclamation or restoration of the air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata, or other natural resources; (b) solid, gaseous or liquid waste generation, treatment, processing, recycling, reclamation, cleanup, storage, disposal or transportation; (c) exposure to pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, or toxic substances, materials or wastes; (d) the safety or health of employees; or (e) the manufacture, processing, handling, transportation, distribution in commerce, use, storage or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes.

 

Environmental Permit ” means any permit, license, order, approval, registration or other authorization under Environmental Law.

 

Equity Interest ” means with respect to any Person, any shares, interests, participation, or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, membership interests or partnership interests (or any other ownership interests) of such Person.

 

Equity Issuance ” means any issuance of equity securities or any other Equity Interests (including any preferred equity securities) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries other than equity securities issued (i) to the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, (ii) pursuant to employee or director and officer stock option plans in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) the conversion of previously issued preferred, convertible Equity Interests or convertible notes to the extent such Equity Interests and notes were issued in compliance with the terms hereof.

 

Equity Issuance Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Equity Issuance, all cash and cash equivalent investments received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from such Equity Issuance after payment of, or provision for, all underwriter fees and expenses, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such Equity Issuance.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

Eurocurrency Liabilities ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor), as in effect from time to time.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for the Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising the same Borrowing, the interest rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest

 

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whole multiple of 1/100 of 1% per annum) set forth on the Reuters Reference LIBOR01 as the London Interbank Offered Rate, for deposits in Dollars at 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, if no such quotation appears on the Reuters Reference LIBOR01, the Eurodollar Rate shall be an interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered by the principal office of Union Bank of California, N.A.  in London, England to prime banks in the London interbank market at 11:00 a.m.  (London, England time) two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period in an amount substantially equal to the Eurodollar Rate Advance to be maintained by the Lender that is the Administrative Agent in respect of such Borrowing and for a period equal to such Interest Period.

 

Eurodollar Rate Advance ” means an Advance which bears interest as provided in Section 2.09(b).

 

Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage ” of any Lender for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve percentage applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, or other marginal reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

 

Existing Letters of Credit ” means the letters of credit issued by Union Bank of California, N.A., as the issuing lender under the Restated Agreement and which have not been terminated or expired as of the Effective Date.

 

Expiration Date ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the date on which such Letter of Credit will expire or terminate in accordance with its terms.

 

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for any such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any of its successors.

 

Fee Letter ” means that certain letter agreement dated November 19, 2008 from Union Bank of California, N.A. to the Borrower.

 

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Financial Statements ” means the financial statements included in the Form 10-KSB filed by the Borrower with the SEC on September 11, 2008, including the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, and the related audited consolidated statements of income, cash flow, and retained earnings of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

Fire Litigation ” means those certain lawsuits and claims now pending or hereafter filed against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries related to or arising from fires beginning on March 12, 2006 in the Texas panhandle.

 

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the requirements of Section 1.03.

 

Governmental Authority ” means, as to any Person in connection with any subject, any foreign, national, state or provincial governmental authority, or any political subdivision of any state thereof, or any agency, department, commission, board, authority or instrumentality, bureau or court, in each case having jurisdiction over such Person or such Person’s Property in connection with such subject.

 

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower executing a Guaranty.

 

Guaranty ” means a Guaranty in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit C and executed by a Guarantor, and “ Guaranties ” shall mean all such guaranties collectively.

 

Hazardous Substance ” means the substances identified as such pursuant to CERCLA and those regulated under any other Environmental Law, including without limitation pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum products, radionuclides, radioactive materials, and medical and infectious waste.

 

Hazardous Waste ” means the substances regulated as such pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

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

 

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provides solely for the sale by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of physical Hydrocarbons in exchange for cash in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Hydrocarbon Hedge Agreement ” means a Hedge Contract which is intended to reduce or eliminate the risk of fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons.

 

Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, coal seam gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, and all other liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons produced or to be produced in conjunction therewith from a well bore and all products, by-products, and other substances derived therefrom or the processing thereof, and all other minerals and substances produced in conjunction with such substances, including, but not limited to, sulfur, geothermal steam, water, carbon dioxide, helium, and any and all minerals, ores, or substances of value and the products and proceeds therefrom.

 

Independent Engineer ” means (a) Forest Garb & Associates, (b) Miller and Lents, Ltd., (c) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. or (d) any other engineering firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Independent Engineering Report ” means a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, prepared by an Independent Engineer, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (or to be acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable) which are or are to be included in the Borrowing Base, which report shall (a) specify the location, quantity, and type of the estimated Proven Reserves attributable to such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) contain a projection of the rate of production of such Oil and Gas Properties, (c) contain an estimate of the net operating revenues to be derived from the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Proven Reserves based on product price and cost escalation assumptions specified by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (d) contain such other information as is customarily obtained from and provided in such reports or is otherwise reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

Interest Expense ” means, for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any period, total interest, letter of credit fees, and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with any Debt for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, (i) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, imputed interest under Capital Leases, and net costs under Interest Hedge Agreements, all as determined in conformity with GAAP, and (ii) all interests, dividends, distributions, or other payments made in respect of preferred Equity Interests or Debt Issuances; but excluding (A) dividends payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower made in respect of preferred Equity Interests and (B) the expensing of deferred amortized costs pertaining to the payment in full of the Subordinated Debt and pertaining to the Obligations.

 

Interest Hedge Agreement ” means a Hedge Contract between the Borrower and one or more financial institutions providing for the exchange of nominal interest obligations between the Borrower and such financial institution or the cap of the interest rate on any Debt of the Borrower.

 

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Interest Period ” means, for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Rate Advance or the date of the Conversion of any Reference Rate Advance into a Eurodollar Rate Advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.03 and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.03.  The duration of each such Interest Period shall be one, two, three, or six months, or if available, nine or twelve months, in each case as the Borrower may, upon notice received by the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period, select; provided , however , that:

 

(a)           the Borrower may not select any Interest Period which ends after the Commitment Termination Date;

 

(b)           Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration;

 

(c)           whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business Day; and

 

(d)           any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month in which it would have ended if there were a numerically corresponding day in such calendar month.

 

Interim Financial Statements ” means the financial statements included in the Form 10-Q filed by the Borrower with the SEC on November 10, 2008 including the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries dated September 30, 2008, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flow, and retained earnings of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the three months then ended, copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

Internal Engineering Report ” means a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, prepared by the Borrower and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or to be acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable) which are or are to be included in the Borrowing Base, which report shall (a) specify the location, quantity, and type of the estimated Proven Reserves attributable to such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) contain a projection of the rate of production of such Oil and Gas Properties, (c) contain an estimate of the net operating revenues to be derived from the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Proven Reserves based on product price and cost escalation assumptions specified by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (d) contain such other information as is customarily obtained from and

 

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provided in such reports or is otherwise reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

Issuing Lender ” means Union Bank of California, N.A., and any successor issuing bank pursuant to Section 8.06.

 

Junior Capital Issuance ” means either (a) an Equity Issuance permitted under Section 6.22 or (b) a Debt Issuance.

 

Leases ” means all oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, oil, gas and casinghead gas leases or any other instruments, agreements, or conveyances under and pursuant to which the owner thereof has or obtains the right to enter upon lands and explore for, drill, and develop such lands for the production of Hydrocarbons.

 

Legal Requirement ” means, as to any Person, any law, statute, ordinance, decree, requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or official interpretation of any of the foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any Governmental Authority, including, but not limited to, Regulations D, T, U, and X, which is applicable to such Person.

 

Lenders ” means a party hereto that (a) is a lender listed on the signature pages of this Agreement on the date hereof or (b) is an Eligible Assignee that became a lender under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.15 or 9.06.

 

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

 

Letter of Credit ” means, individually, any standby letter of credit issued or deemed issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrower in connection with the Commitments and that is subject to this Agreement, including the Existing Letters of Credit, and “ Letters of Credit ” means all such letters of credit collectively.

 

Letter of Credit Application ” means the Issuing Lender’s standard form letter of credit application for standby letters of credit that has been executed by the Borrower and accepted by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

 

Letter of Credit Documents ” means all Letters of Credit, Letter of Credit Applications, and agreements, documents, and instruments entered into in connection with or relating thereto.

 

Letter of Credit Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn maximum face amount of each Letter of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate unpaid amount of all Reimbursement Obligations at such time.

 

Letter of Credit Obligations ” means any obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in connection with the Letters of Credit, including the Reimbursement Obligations.

 

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Leverage Ratio ” means, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) the consolidated Debt of the Borrower (other than obligations under Hedge Contracts) as of such fiscal quarter end to (b) the consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the four fiscal quarter period then ended.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, assignment, charge, deed of trust, security interest, hypothecation, preference, deposit arrangement or encumbrance (or other type of arrangement having the practical effect of the foregoing) to secure or provide for the payment of any obligation of any Person, whether arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, synthetic lease, Capital Lease, or other title retention agreement).

 

Liquid Investments ” means:

 

(a)           direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States maturing within 180 days from the date of any acquisition thereof;

 

(b)           (i) negotiable or nonnegotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits, or other similar banking arrangements maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof (“bank debt securities”), issued by (A) any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or (B) any other bank or trust company so long as such certificate of deposit is pledged to secure the Borrower’s or any Subsidiaries’ ordinary course of business bonding requirements, or any other bank or trust company which has primary capital of not less than $500,000,000, if at the time of deposit or purchase, such bank debt securities are rated not less than “AA” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and (ii) commercial paper issued by (A) any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or (B) any other Person if at the time of purchase such commercial paper is rated not less than “A-1” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or not less than “P-1” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or upon the discontinuance of both of such services, such other nationally recognized rating service or services, as the case may be, as shall be selected by the Borrower with the consent of the Majority Lenders;

 

(c)           deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in investments described in clauses (a) and (b) above;

 

(d)           repurchase agreements relating to investments described in clauses (a) and (b) above with a market value at least equal to the consideration paid in connection therewith, with any Person who regularly engages in the business of entering into repurchase agreements and has a combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not less than $500,000,000, if at the time of entering into such agreement the debt securities of such Person are rated not less than “AA” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; and

 

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(e)           such other instruments (within the meaning of Article 9 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code) as the Borrower may request and the Administrative Agent may approve in writing.

 

Liquidity Deposit Amount ” means, at the time determination, the aggregate amount of Equity Issuance Proceeds and Debt Issuance Proceeds which have been deposited into a deposit account with the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other depository bank that has executed an account control agreement reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, as required under Section 5.13, regardless of whether such proceeds are, at such time, held in such deposit account.

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Guaranties, the Security Instruments, the Fee Letter, the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any of the Borrower’s or a Guarantor’s Subsidiaries or any of their officers at any time in connection with this Agreement.

 

Majority Lenders ” means, (a) at any time when there are more than two Lenders, Lenders holding at least 66 2 / 3 % of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes and outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations held by the Lenders at such time (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Letter of Credit Obligations being deemed to be “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that, if no such principal amount or Letter of Credit Obligation is then outstanding, “Majority Lenders” shall mean Lenders having at least 66 2 / 3 % of the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time and (b) at any time when there are one or two Lenders, all of the Lenders; provided further that, if there are two or more Lenders, the Commitment of, and the portion of the Advances and Letter of Credit Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority Lenders.

 

Material Adverse Change ” means (a) a material adverse change in the business, assets (including the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) a material adverse effect on the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, any Note, any Guaranty, or any other Loan Document.

 

Maturity Date ” means December 17, 2012.

 

Maximum Rate ” means the maximum nonusurious interest rate under applicable law (determined under such laws after giving effect to any items which are required by such laws to be construed as interest in making such determination, including without limitation if required by such laws, certain fees and other costs).

 

Mortgage ” means each of the Mortgages, Deeds of Trust, Security Agreements, Assignment of Liens and Security Interests, Financing Statements and Assignments of Production or any other mortgage or deed of trust executed by any one or more of the Borrower, a Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries in favor of the Administrative Agent for the

 

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ratable benefit of the Secured Parties in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit D or such other form as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, together with any assumptions or assignments of the obligations thereunder by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries, and “ Mortgages ” shall mean all of such Mortgages collectively.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Note ” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Lender, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit E, evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from Advances owing to such Lender.

 

Notice of Borrowing ” means a notice of borrowing in the form of the attached Exhibit F signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Notice of Conversion or Continuation ” means a notice of conversion or continuation in the form of the attached Exhibit G signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Obligations ” means (a) all principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and other amounts payable by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including without limitation, the Letter of Credit Obligations, (b) all obligations of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries owing to any Swap Counterparty under any Hedge Contract, and (c) all obligations of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries owing to any Lender or any Affiliate thereof in connection with any letter of credit issued by such Lender or its Affiliate for the account of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries; provided that, (i) when any Swap Counterparty assigns or otherwise transfers any interest held by it under any Hedge Contract to any other Person pursuant to the terms of such agreement, the obligations thereunder shall constitute Obligations only if such assignee or transferee is also then a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and (ii) if a Swap Counterparty ceases to be a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, obligations owing to such Swap Counterparty shall be included as Obligations only to the extent such obligations arise from transactions under such individual Hedge Contracts (and not the Master Agreement between such parties) entered into at the time such Swap Counterparty was a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder (or lender under the Restated Agreement, or an Affiliate thereof, at the time such Hedge Contract was entered into), without giving effect to any extension, increases, or modifications thereof which are made after such Swap Counterparty ceases to be a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means fee mineral interests, term mineral interests, Leases, subleases, farm-outs, royalties, overriding royalties, net profit interests, carried interests, production payments and similar mineral interests, and all unsevered and unextracted Hydrocarbons in, under, or attributable to such oil and gas Properties and interests.

 

Pantwist Sale ” means the sale of 100% of the Equity Interest held by the Borrower in Pantwist LLC pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of September 

 

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5, 2008 among the Borrower, Pantwist LLC and Legacy Reserves Operating LP without giving effect to any amendments, modification or supplements thereto.

 

Patriot Act ” means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

 

Permit ” means any approval, certificate of occupancy, consent, waiver, exemption, variance, franchise, order, permit, authorization, right or license of or from any Governmental Authority, including without limitation, an Environmental Permit.

 

Permitted Liens ” means the Liens permitted under Section 6.01.

 

Permitted Prior Liens ” means the Liens permitted under paragraphs (c) through (i) of Section 6.01.

 

Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, limited liability corporation or company, limited liability partnership, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official.

 

Plan ” means an employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained for employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group and covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means a Pledge Agreement in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit H, executed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Guarantors.

 

Pricing Grid ” means the pricing information set forth in Schedule I.

 

Property ” of any Person means any property or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible) of such Person.

 

Proven Reserves ” means, at any particular time, the estimated quantities of Hydrocarbons which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs attributable to Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base under then existing economic and operating conditions (i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made).

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Lender, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of aggregate Commitments of such Lender to the aggregate Commitments of all the Lenders (or if such Commitments have been terminated, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of outstanding Advances owing to such Lender to the aggregate outstanding Advances owing to all such Lenders.

 

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Reference Rate ” means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by Union Bank of California, N.A., as its reference rate, whether or not the Borrower has notice thereof.

 

Reference Rate Advance ” means an Advance which bears interest as provided in Section 2.09(a).

 

Register ” has the meaning set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 9.06.

 

Regulations D, T, U, and X ” mean Regulations D, T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

Reimbursement Obligations ” means all of the obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender for amounts paid by the Issuing Lender under Letters of Credit as established by the Letter of Credit Applications and Section 2.07(d).

 

Release ” shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.

 

Response ” shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.

 

Responsible Officer ” means (a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, such Person’s Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or Vice President, (b) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, a manager or the Responsible Officer of such Person’s managing member or manager, and (c) with respect to any Person that is a general partnership or a limited liability partnership, the Responsible Officer of such Person’s general partner or partners.

 

Restricted Payment ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any direct or indirect dividend or distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) or any direct or indirect payment of any kind or character (whether in cash, securities or other Property) in consideration for or otherwise in connection with any retirement, purchase, redemption or other acquisition of any Equity Interest of such Person, or any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest of such Person or (b) principal or interest payments (in cash, Property or otherwise) on,  or redemptions of, subordinated debt of such Person; provided that the term “Restricted Payment” shall not include any dividend or distribution payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower or warrants, options or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests.

 

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secured Parties ” means the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lender, and the Swap Counterparties.

 

Security Agreements ” means the Security Agreements, each in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit I, executed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the Guarantors.

 

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Security Instruments ” means, collectively, (a) the Mortgages, (b) the Transfer Letters, (c) the Pledge Agreements, (d) the Security Agreements, (e) each other agreement, instrument or document executed at any time in connection with the Pledge Agreements, the Security Agreements, or the Mortgages, (f) each agreement, instrument or document executed in connection with the Cash Collateral Account; and (g) each other agreement, instrument or document executed at any time in connection with securing the Obligations.

 

Series D Preferred Shares ” means the convertible, preferred Equity Interests of the Borrower known as the “Series D Convertible Preferred Stock” issued on August 25, 2006 and maturing on August 25, 2011, the terms of which are as set forth in the Certificate of Designation.

 

Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person as of the date of any determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the Property of such Person (both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value) is greater than the total liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations, and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s Property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to current and anticipated future capital requirements and current and anticipated future business conduct and the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged.  In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount which, in light of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Subordinated Agent ” means UnionBanCal Equities Inc., or such other Subordinated Lender serving in the capacity as the “subordinated agent” under the Subordinated credit Agreement to the extent permitted under the Subordinated Credit Agreement and the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Subordinated Credit Agreement ” means the Subordinated Credit Agreement dated as of December 17, 2008 among the Borrower, the Subordinated Agent and the Subordinated Lenders, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified but only to the extent permitted under the terms of the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Subordinated Debt ” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Subordinated Credit Agreement.

 

Subordinated Debt Maturity Date ” means the “Maturity Date” as defined in the Subordinated Credit Agreement.

 

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Subordinated Lenders ” means the lenders party to the Subordinated Credit Agreement from time to time.

 

Subordinated Loan Documents ” means the Subordinated Credit Agreement, the promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to the Subordinated Credit Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Responsible Officers in connection with the Subordinated Credit Agreement.

 

Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement ” means that certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, which shall be in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, dated as of the Effective Date among the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders, the Subordinated Agent and the Subordinated Lenders.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any Person, a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at any time be owned by such parent or one or more Subsidiaries of such parent.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower; provided that Tri-Flow shall not be considered a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

Swap Counterparty ” means (a) any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that is a counterparty to any Hedge Contract with the Borrower or any Subsidiary listed on Schedule 4.20 and (b) any counterparty to any other Hedge Contract with the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that such counterparty is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedge Contract is entered into.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Swap Counterparty” shall not include any participant of a Lender pursuant to Section 9.06(e) other than to the extent such participant is otherwise a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Termination Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than a Reportable Event not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC under such regulations), (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.

 

Transfer Letters ” means, collectively, the letters in lieu of transfer orders in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit J and executed by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries executing a Mortgage.

 

Tri-Flow ” means Tri-Flow, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation.

 

Type ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04.

 

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Unused Commitment Amount ” means, with respect to a Lender at any time, the lesser of (a) such Lender’s Commitment at such time and (b) such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing Base then in effect at such time minus , in each case the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances owed to such Lender at such time plus (ii) such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure at such time.

 

Utilization Level ” means the applicable category (being Level I, Level II, Level III or Level IV) of pricing criteria contained in Schedule I, which is based on at any time of its determination on the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Advances and the Letter of Credit Exposure at such time by (b) the lesser of the Commitments and the Borrowing Base at such time.

 

Voting Securities ” means (a) with respect to any corporation (including any unlimited liability company), capital stock of such corporation having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have special voting power or rights by reason of the happening of any contingency), (b) with respect to any partnership, any partnership interest or other ownership interest having general voting power to elect the general partner or other management of the partnership or other Person, and (c) with respect to any limited liability company, membership certificates or interests having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect managers of such limited liability company.

 

Section 1.02           Computation of Time Periods .  In this Agreement, with respect to the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”.

 

Section 1.03           Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP .  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall (unless otherwise disclosed to the Lenders in writing at the time of delivery thereof) be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest financial statements furnished to the Lenders hereunder (which prior to the delivery of the first financial statements under Section 5.06 hereof, shall mean the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements).  All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the annual or quarterly financial statements furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.06 hereof most recently delivered prior to or concurrently with such calculations (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements under Section 5.06 hereof, used in the preparation of the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements).  In addition, all calculations and defined accounting terms used herein shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, when referring to any Person, refer to such Person on a consolidated basis and mean such Person and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Section 1.04           Types of Advances .  Advances are distinguished by “Type.”  The “Type” of an Advance refers to the determination whether such Advance is a Eurodollar Rate Advance or Reference Rate Advance.

 

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Section 1.05           Miscellaneous .  Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  All references to instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified.  The words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  The term “including” means “including, without limitation,”.  Paragraph headings have been inserted in this Agreement as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such paragraph headings are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II

 

CREDIT FACILITIES

 

Section 2.01           Commitment for Advances .

 

(a)           Advances .  Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make Advances to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Commitment Termination Date in an amount for each Lender not to exceed such Lender’s Unused Commitment Amount.  Each Borrowing shall, in the case of Borrowings consisting of Reference Rate Advances, be in an aggregate amount not less than $250,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and in the case of Borrowings consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances, be in an aggregate amount not less than $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and in each case shall consist of Advances of the same Type made on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments.  Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay, and reborrow Advances.

 

(b)           Outstanding Advances under the Restated Agreement .  Without any further action on the part of the Borrower or the Lenders, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, effective as of the date hereof, (i) all outstanding “Advances” which are “Eurodollar Rate Advances” under the Restated Agreement shall be automatically deemed to be outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Advances under this Agreement with the same Interest Period but adjusted for the Lenders’ pro rata share thereof based on the Lenders’ Commitments under this Agreement and (b) all outstanding “Advances” which are “Reference Rate Advances” under the Restated Agreement shall be automatically deemed to be outstanding as Reference Rate Advances under this Agreement but adjusted for the Lenders’ pro rata share thereof based on the Lenders’ Commitments under this Agreement.  Such advances under the Restated Agreement shall be assigned, renewed, extended, and rearranged pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Notes and shall, for all purposes, be deemed a Borrowing hereunder.  The Lenders shall make all appropriate adjustments and payments between and among themselves to account for the revised Pro Rata Shares resulting from the Lenders’ Commitments under this Agreement.

 

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(c)           Notes .  The indebtedness of the Borrower to each Lender resulting from the Advances owing to such Lender shall be evidenced by a Note of the Borrower payable to the order of such Lender.

 

Section 2.02           Borrowing Base .

 

(a)           Borrowing Base .  The initial Borrowing Base in effect as of Effective Date has been set by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and acknowledged by the Borrower as $60,000,000.  Such initial Borrowing Base shall remain in effect until the next redetermination made pursuant to this Section 2.02.  The Borrowing Base shall be determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 2.02(d) and is subject to periodic redetermination pursuant to Sections 2.02(b), 2.02(c) and 2.02(e).

 

(b)           Calculation of Borrowing Base .

 

(i)            The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders on or before each September 30, beginning September 30, 2009, an Independent Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding July 1, and such other information as may be reasonably requested by any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base.  Within 30 days after the Administrative Agent and the Lenders’ receipt of such Independent Engineering Report and other information, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Lender the Administrative Agent’s recommendation for the redetermined Borrowing Base.  Within 15 days after the Lenders’ receipt of the Administrative Agent’s recommendation, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.02(d), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.

 

(ii)           The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (A) on or prior to May 1, 2009, and (B) on or before each March 31, beginning March 31, 2010, an Internal Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding January 1 and such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base.  Within 30 days after the Administrative Agent and the Lenders’ receipt of such Internal Engineering Report and other information, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Lender the Administrative Agent’s recommendation for the redetermined Borrowing Base.  Within 15 days after the Lenders’ receipt of the Administrative Agent’s recommendation, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.02(d), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.

 

(iii)          In the event that the Borrower does not furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Independent Engineering Report, Internal Engineering Report or other information specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above by the date specified therein, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may nonetheless redetermine the Borrowing Base and redesignate the Borrowing Base from time-to-time thereafter in their sole discretion until the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive the relevant Independent Engineering Report,

 

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Internal Engineering Report, or other information, as applicable, whereupon the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base as otherwise specified in this Section 2.02.

 

(iv)          Each delivery of an Engineering Report by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (A) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, own the Oil and Gas Properties specified therein subject to an Acceptable Security Interest and free and clear of any Liens (except Permitted Liens), (B) on and as of the date of such Engineering Report each Oil and Gas Property described as “proved developed” therein was developed for oil and gas, and the wells pertaining to such Oil and Gas Properties that are described therein as producing wells (“Wells”), were each producing oil and gas in paying quantities, except for Wells that were utilized as water or gas injection wells, carbon dioxide wells or as water disposal wells (each as noted in such Engineering Report), (C) the descriptions of quantum and nature of the record title interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, set forth in such Engineering Report include the entire record title interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such Oil and Gas Properties, are complete and accurate in all respects, and take into account all Permitted Liens, (D) there are no “back-in” or “reversionary” interests held by third parties which could reduce the interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such Oil and Gas Properties as set forth in Engineering Report, and (E) no operating or other agreement to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is bound affecting any part of such Oil and Gas Properties requires the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to bear any of the costs relating to such Oil and Gas Properties greater than the record title interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in such portion of the such Oil and Gas Properties as set forth in such Engineering Report, except in the event the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated under an operating agreement to assume a portion of a defaulting party’s share of costs.

 

(c)           Interim Redetermination .  In addition to the Borrowing Base redeterminations provided for in Section 2.02(b), the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may, either in their sole discretion or at the request of the Borrower and based on such information as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders deem relevant (but in accordance with Section 2.02(d)), make one additional redetermination of the Borrowing Base during any six-month period between scheduled redetermination.  Additionally, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may request an additional redetermination in connection with any sale or proposed sale of Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a market value of $500,000 or more to the extent any such sale is permitted by this Agreement.  The party requesting the redetermination shall give the other party at least 10 days’ prior written notice that a redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to this paragraph (c) is to be performed.  In connection with any redetermination of the Borrowing Base under this Section 2.02(c), the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such information regarding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries’ business (including, without limitation, its Oil and Gas Properties, the Proven Reserves, and production relating thereto) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may request, including, in the case of requests for an increase to the Borrowing Base of $1,000,000 or more, an updated Independent Engineering Report.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of each redetermination of

 

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the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Section 2.02(c) and the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.

 

(d)           Standards for Redetermination .  Each redetermination of the Borrowing Base by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be made (i) in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (but in accordance with the other provisions of this Section 2.02(d)), (ii) in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ customary internal standards and practices for valuing and redetermining the value of Oil and Gas Properties in connection with reserve based oil and gas loan transactions, (iii) in conjunction with the most recent Independent Engineering Report or Internal Engineering Report, as applicable, or other information received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders relating to the Proven Reserves of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (iv) based upon the estimated value of the Proven Reserves owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.  In valuing and redetermining the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may also consider the business, financial condition, and Debt obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and such other factors as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders customarily deem appropriate.  In that regard, the Borrower acknowledges that the determination of the Borrowing Base contains an equity cushion (market value in excess of loan value), which is essential for the adequate protection of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.  No Proven Reserves shall be included or considered for inclusion in the Borrowing Base unless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received, at the Borrower’s expense, evidence of title reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent that the Administrative Agent has an Acceptable Security Interest in the Oil and Gas Properties relating thereto pursuant to the Security Instruments.  At all times after the Administrative Agent has given the Borrower notification of a redetermination of the Borrowing Base under this Section 2.02, the Borrowing Base shall be equal to the redetermined amount or such lesser amount designated by the Borrower and disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders until the Borrowing Base is subsequently redetermined in accordance with this Section 2.02.

 

(e)           In addition to the Borrowing Base redeterminations provided for in Section 2.02(b) and Section 2.02(c), the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may in their sole discretion and based on such information as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders deem relevant (but in accordance with Section 2.02(d)), redetermine the Borrowing Base upon a Junior Capital Issuance by the Borrower.

 

Section 2.03           Method of Borrowing .

 

(a)           Notice .  Each Borrowing shall be made pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing (or by telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing by a Notice of Borrowing), given not later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) (i) on the third Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances or (ii) on the Business Day of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing comprised of Reference Rate Advances, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn give to each Lender prompt notice of such proposed Borrowing by telecopier or telex.  Each Notice of a Borrowing shall be given by telecopier or telex, confirmed immediately in writing, specifying the information required therein.  In the case of a proposed

 

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Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.09(b).  Each Lender shall, before 12:00 p.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 10:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) on the date of such Borrowing, make available for the account of its Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.02, or such other location as the Administrative Agent may specify by notice to the Lenders, in same day funds, in the case of a Borrowing, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing.  After the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative Agent shall make such funds available to the Borrower at its account with the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)           Conversions and Continuations .  The Borrower may elect to Convert or continue any Borrowing under this Section 2.03 by delivering an irrevocable Notice of Conversion or Continuation to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s office no later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) (i) on the date which is at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion or continuation date in the case of a Conversion to or a continuation of a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances and (ii) on the Business Day of the proposed Conversion in the case of a Conversion to a Borrowing comprised of Reference Rate Advances.  Each such Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be in writing or by telex or telecopier confirmed immediately in writing specifying the information required therein.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion or Continuation under this Section, the Administrative Agent shall provide each Lender with a copy thereof and, in the case of a Conversion to or a continuation of a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.09(b).

 

(c)           Certain Limitations .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraphs (a) and (b) above:

 

(i)            at no time shall there be more than six Interest Periods applicable to outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances and the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Rate Advances for any Borrowing at any time that a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)           if any Lender shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, Conversion, or continuation, notify the Administrative Agent that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances from such Lender shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and the Advance made by such Lender in respect of such Borrowing, Conversion, or continuation shall be a Reference Rate Advance;

 

(iii)          if the Administrative Agent is unable to determine the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any requested Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be

 

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suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Reference Rate Advance;

 

(iv)          if the Majority Lenders shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising such Borrowing will not adequately reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Rate Advances, as the case may be, for such Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Reference Rate Advance; and

 

(v)           if the Borrower shall fail to select the duration or continuation of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of “Interest Period” in Section 1.01 and paragraph (b) above, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances shall be made available to the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing as Reference Rate Advances or, if an existing Advance, Convert into Reference Rate Advances.

 

(d)           Notices Irrevocable .  Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower.  In the case of any Borrowing for which the related Notice of Borrowing specifies is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss, out-of-pocket cost, or expense incurred by such Lender as a result of any failure by the Borrower to fulfill on or before the date specified in such Notice of Borrowing for such Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth in Article III including, without limitation, any loss (including any loss of anticipated profits), cost, or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund the Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such Borrowing when such Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.

 

(e)           Administrative Agent Reliance .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender before the date of any Borrowing that such Lender shall not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section 2.03 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to immediately repay to the Administrative Agent on demand such corresponding amount, together with interest on such amount, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable on such day to Advances comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds Rate for such day.  If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount and interest as provided above, such corresponding amount so

 

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repaid shall constitute such Lender’s Advance as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement even though not made on the same day as the other Advances comprising such Borrowing.

 

(f)            Lender Obligations Several .  The failure of any Lender to make the Advance to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, to make its Advance on the date of such Borrowing.  No Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04           Reduction of the Commitments .

 

(a)           The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days’ irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the unused portion of the Commitments; provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $500,000 or in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.

 

(b)           Other than as provided in Section 2.04(c) below, any reduction and termination of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall be applied ratably to each Lender’s Commitment and shall be permanent, with no obligation of the Lenders to reinstate such Commitments.

 

(c)           In the event of a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower, at the Borrower’s election may (with the consent of the Administrative Agent) elect to terminate such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment hereunder; provided that (i) such termination must be of the Defaulting Lender’s entire Commitment, (ii) the Borrower shall pay all amounts owed by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement and under the other Loan Documents (including principal of and interest on the Advances owed to such Defaulting Lender, accrued commitment fees, and letter of credit fees but specifically excluding any amounts owing under Section 2.12 as result of such payment of Advances) and shall deposit with the Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account cash collateral in the amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s ratable share of the Letter of Credit Exposure, (iii) a Defaulting Lender’s Commitment may be terminated by the Borrower under this Section 2.04(c) if and only if at such time, the Borrower has elected, or is then electing, to terminate the Commitments of all then existing Defaulting Lenders.  Upon written notice to the Defaulting Lender and Administrative Agent of the Borrower’s election to terminate a Defaulting Lender’s Commitment pursuant to this clause (c) and the payment and deposit of amounts required to be made by the Borrower under clause (ii) above, (A) such Defaulting Lender shall cease to be a “Lender” hereunder for all purposes except that such Lender’s rights under Sections 2.13, 2.14, and 9.07 shall continue with respect to events and occurrences occurring before or concurrently with its ceasing to be a “Lender” hereunder, (B) such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed terminated, and (C) such Defaulting Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder.

 

Section 2.05           Prepayment of Advances .

 

(a)           Optional .  The Borrower may prepay the Advances, after giving by 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) (i) in the case of Eurodollar Rate

 

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Advances, at least three Business Days’ or (ii) in the case of Reference Rate Advances, same Business Day’s, irrevocable prior written notice to the Administrative Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of such prepayment.  If any such notice is given, the Borrower shall prepay the Advances in whole or ratably in part in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount specified in such notice, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date; provided , however, that each partial prepayment with respect to:  (A) any amounts prepaid in respect of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be applied to Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing; (B) any prepayments made in respect of Reference Rate Advances shall be made in a minimum amounts of $250,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (C) any prepayments made in respect of any Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be made in an aggregate principal amount of at least $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and in an aggregate principal amount such that after giving effect thereto such Borrowing shall have a remaining principal amount outstanding with respect to such Borrowing of at least $500,000.  Full prepayments of any Borrowing are permitted without restriction of amounts.

 

(b)           Borrowing Base Deficiency .  If the aggregate outstanding amount of the Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure ever exceeds the lesser of the (i) Borrowing Base and (ii) the aggregate Commitments, the Borrower shall, after receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent regarding such deficiency, deliver to the Administrative Agent within ten days of receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent, a written response indicating which of the following actions it intends to take to remedy the Borrowing Base deficiency (and the failure of the Borrower to deliver such election notice or to perform the action chosen to remedy such Borrowing Base deficiency shall constitute an Event of Default):

 

(i)            prepay Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, such that the Borrowing Base deficiency is cured within 10 Business Days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent;

 

(ii)           pledge as Collateral for the Obligations additional Oil and Gas Properties acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each of Lenders such that the Borrowing Base deficiency is cured within 30 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent; or

 

(iii)          (A) deliver, within 10 Business Days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent, written notice to the Administrative Agent indicating the Borrower’s election to repay the Advances and make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letters of Credit, each in six monthly installments equal to one-sixth of such Borrowing Base deficiency with the first such installment due 30 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and each following installment due 30 days after the preceding installment and (B) make such payments and deposits within such time periods.

 

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Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.  Each prepayment under clauses (i) and (iii) of this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion.

 

(c)           Reduction of Commitments .  On the date of each reduction of the aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04, the Borrower agrees to make a prepayment in respect of the outstanding amount of the Advances to the extent, if any, that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the aggregate Commitments, as so reduced and (B) the Borrowing Base.  Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.  Each prepayment under this Section 2.05(c) shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion; provided that, outstanding Reference Rate Advances, if any, shall be paid in full first before any such prepayments are applied to outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances.

 

(d)           Illegality .  If any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful for such Lender or its Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to maintain any Eurodollar Rate Advances of such Lender then outstanding hereunder, (i) the Borrower shall, no later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) (A) if not prohibited by law, on the last day of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advance made by such Lender or (B) if required by such notice, on the second Business Day following its receipt of such notice, prepay all of the Eurodollar Rate Advances made by such Lender then outstanding, together with accrued interest on the principal amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date, (ii) such Lender shall simultaneously make a Reference Rate Advance to the Borrower on such date in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate Advances prepaid to such Lender, and (iii) the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances from such Lender for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender gives notice referred to above shall notify the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.

 

(e)           No Additional Right; Ratable Prepayment .  The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any Advance except as provided in Section 2.04(c) and in this Section 2.05, and all notices given pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be irrevocable and binding upon the Borrower.  Each payment of any Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be made in a manner such that all Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing are paid in whole or ratably in part.

 

(f)            Debt Issuance .  If the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower receives Debt Issuance Proceeds, then immediately upon receipt of such proceeds, the Borrower shall prepay the Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral

 

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Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, in an amount equal to (A) 100% of such Debt Issuance Proceeds minus (B) the amount applied to satisfy outstanding Subordinated Debt minus (C) the amount, if any, necessary to cause the Liquidity Deposit Amount at the time of such Debt Issuance to equal $2,500,000.  The prepayment required pursuant to this Section 2.05(f) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.  Such prepayment shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion.

 

(g)           Equity Issuance .  If the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower receives Equity Issuance Proceeds, then immediately upon receipt of such proceeds, the Borrower shall prepay the Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, in an amount equal to (A) 100% of such Equity Issuance Proceeds minus (B) the amount applied to satisfy outstanding Subordinated Debt minus (C) the amount, if any, necessary to cause the Liquidity Deposit Amount at the time of such Equity Issuance to equal $2,500,000.  The prepayment required pursuant to this Section 2.05(g) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.  Such prepayment shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion.

 

Section 2.06           Repayment of Advances .  The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders the outstanding principal amount of each Advance, together with any accrued interest thereon, on the Maturity Date or such earlier date pursuant to Section 7.02 or Section 7.03.

 

Section 2.07           Letters of Credit .

 

(a)           Commitment .  From time to time from the date of this Agreement until 30 days prior to the Maturity Date, at the request of the Borrower, the Issuing Lender shall, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, issue, increase, or extend the Expiration Date of, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day.  No Letter of Credit will be issued, increased, or extended:

 

(i)            if such issuance, increase, or extension would cause the Letter of Credit Exposure to exceed the lesser of (A) $3,000,000 and (B) the aggregate Unused Commitment Amounts of the Lenders;

 

(ii)           if such Letter of Credit has an Expiration Date later than the earlier of (A) one year after the date of issuance thereof and (B) the Maturity Date;

 

(iii)          unless such Letter of Credit Documents are in form and substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion;

 

(iv)          unless such Letter of Credit is a standby letter of credit not supporting the repayment of indebtedness for borrowed money of any Person;

 

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(v)           unless the Borrower has delivered to the Issuing Lender a completed and executed Letter of Credit Application; provided that, if the terms of any such Letter of Credit Application conflicts with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control;

 

(vi)          unless such Letter of Credit is governed by (A) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or (B) the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, in either case, including any subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce and adhered to by the Issuing Lender;

 

(vii)         if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Legal Requirement applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the date hereof, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the date hereof and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it;

 

(viii)        if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(ix)           except as otherwise agreed by the Issuing Lender, if Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars; or

 

(x)            a default of any Lender’s obligations to fund under Section 2.07(d) exists or any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless the Issuing Lender has entered into satisfactory arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the Issuing Lender’s risk with respect to such Lender.

 

(b)           Participations .  Upon (i) the date of the issuance or increase of a Letter of Credit, and (ii) the Effective Date as to the deemed issuance of the Existing Letters of Credit under Section 2.07(h), the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold to each other Lender having a Commitment and each other Lender having a Commitment shall have been deemed to have purchased from the Issuing Lender a participation in the related Letter of Credit Obligations equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share at such date and such sale and purchase shall otherwise be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Issuing Lender shall promptly notify each such participant Lender having a Commitment by telephone or telecopy of each Letter of Credit issued, increased, or extended or converted and the actual dollar amount of such Lender’s participation in such Letter of Credit.

 

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(c)           Issuing .  Each Letter of Credit shall be issued, increased, or extended pursuant to a Letter of Credit Application (or by telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing by a Letter of Credit Application), given not later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) on the fifth Business Day before the date of the proposed issuance, increase, or extension of the Letter of Credit, and the Issuing Lender shall give to each other Lender prompt notice thereof by telex, telephone, or telecopy.  Each Letter of Credit Application shall be delivered by facsimile or by mail specifying the information required therein; provided that if such Letter of Credit Application is delivered by facsimile, the Borrower shall follow such facsimile with an original by mail.  After the Issuing Lender’s receipt of such Letter of Credit Application (by facsimile or by mail) and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Issuing Lender shall issue, increase, or extend such Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower.  Each Letter of Credit Application shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower.

 

(d)           Reimbursement .  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay on demand to the Issuing Lender an amount equal to any amount paid by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit.  In the event the Issuing Lender makes a payment pursuant to a request for draw presented under a Letter of Credit and such payment is not promptly reimbursed by the Borrower upon demand, the Issuing Lender shall give the Administrative Agent notice of the Borrower’s failure to make such reimbursement and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender having a Commitment of the amount necessary to reimburse the Issuing Lender.  Upon such notice from the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall promptly reimburse the Issuing Lender for such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such amount, and such reimbursement shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to be an Advance to the Borrower transferred at the Borrower’s request to the Issuing Lender.  If such reimbursement is not made by any Lender to the Issuing Lender on the same day on which the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender to make reimbursement to the Issuing Lender hereunder, such Lender shall pay interest on its Pro Rata Share thereof to the Issuing Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate.  The Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to record and otherwise treat such reimbursements to the Issuing Lender as Reference Rate Advances under a Borrowing requested by the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender which have been transferred to the Issuing Lender at the Borrower’s request.

 

(e)           Obligations Unconditional .  The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of each Letter of Credit shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, the following circumstances:

 

(i)            any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit Documents;

 

(ii)           any amendment or waiver of, or any consent to or departure from, any Letter of Credit Documents;

 

(iii)          the existence of any claim, set-off, defense, or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing

 

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Lender, or any other person or entity, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or in any Letter of Credit Documents, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(iv)          any statement or any other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

(v)           payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or

 

(vi)          any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

provided , however , that nothing contained in this paragraph (e) shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any remedies of the Borrower in connection with the Letters of Credit or the Borrower’s rights under Section 2.07(f) below.

 

(f)            Liability of Issuing Lender .  The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit.  Neither the Issuing Lender nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for:

 

(i)            the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith;

 

(ii)           the validity, sufficiency, or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent, or forged;

 

(iii)          payment by the Issuing Lender against presentation of documents which do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the relevant Letter of Credit; or

 

(iv)          any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit (INCLUDING THE ISSUING LENDER’S OWN NEGLIGENCE) ,

 

except that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Issuing Lender, and the Issuing Lender shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, as opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the Issuing Lender’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in determining whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

 

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(g)           Cash Collateral Account .

 

(i)            If the Borrower is required to deposit funds in the Cash Collateral Account pursuant to Sections 2.04(c), 2.05(b), 7.02(b), or 7.03(b), then the Borrower and the Issuing Lender shall establish the Cash Collateral Account and the Borrower shall execute any documents and agreements, including the Issuing Lender’s standard form assignment of deposit accounts, that the Issuing Lender requests in connection therewith to establish the Cash Collateral Account and grant the Issuing Lender a first priority security interest in such account and the funds therein.  The Borrower hereby pledges to the Issuing Lender and grants the Issuing Lender a security interest in the Cash Collateral Account, whenever established, all funds held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time, and all proceeds thereof as security for the payment of the Obligations.

 

(ii)           So long as no Default exists, (A) the Issuing Lender may apply the funds held in the Cash Collateral Account only to the reimbursement of any Letter of Credit Obligations, and (B) the Issuing Lender shall release to the Borrower at the Borrower’s written request any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account in an amount up to but not exceeding the excess, if any (immediately prior to the release of any such funds), of the total amount of funds held in the Cash Collateral Account over the Letter of Credit Exposure.  During the existence of any Default, the Issuing Lender may apply any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account to the Obligations in any order determined by the Issuing Lender, regardless of any Letter of Credit Exposure that may remain outstanding.  The Issuing Lender may in its sole discretion at any time release to the Borrower any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account.

 

(iii)          The Issuing Lender shall exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account and shall be deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Issuing Lender accords its own Property, it being understood that the Issuing Lender shall not have any responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any such funds.

 

(h)           Existing Letters of Credit . The Issuing Lender, the Lenders and the Borrower agree that effective as of the Effective Date, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued and maintained under, and to be governed by the terms and conditions of, this Agreement.

 

Section 2.08           Fees .

 

(a)           Commitment Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee at a per annum rate equal to the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily Unused Commitment Amount of such Lender, from the Effective Date until the Commitment Termination Date; provided that, no Commitment Fee shall accrue on the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period such Lender remains a Defaulting Lender.  The commitment fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September, and December commencing on December 31, 2008 and continuing thereafter through and including the Commitment Termination Date.

 

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(b)           Letter of Credit Fees .

 

(i)            The Borrower agrees to pay (A) to the Administrative Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders a per annum letter of credit fee for each Letter of Credit issued hereunder in an amount equal to the greater of (1) the Applicable Margin then in effect for Eurodollar Rate Advances times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (2) $1,000, and (B) to the Issuing Lender, a fronting fee for each Letter of Credit equal to the greater of (y) .125% per annum times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (z) $500.00, each payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September, and December commencing on December 31, 2008 and continuing thereafter through and including the Commitment Termination Date.

 

(ii)           The Borrower also agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender such other usual and customary fees associated with any transfers, amendments, drawings, negotiations or reissuances of any Letters of Credit.

 

(c)           Other Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay to Union Bank of California, N.A. the fees provided for in the Fee Letter.

 

(d)           Borrowing Base Increase Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in connection with any increase of the Borrowing Base, a borrowing base increase fee on the amount of such increase.  The borrowing base increase fee shall be in an amount equal to 0.50% multiplied by the amount of the increase and shall be due and payable on the date of the initial Advance of such additional Borrowing Base.

 

Section 2.09           Interest .  The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender from the date of such Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:

 

(a)           Reference Rate Advances .  If such Advance is a Reference Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times to the Adjusted Reference Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each month and on the date such Reference Rate Advance shall be paid in full.

 

(b)           Eurodollar Rate Advances .  If such Advance is a Eurodollar Rate Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times during the Interest Period for such Advance to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable on the last day of such Interest Period, and, in the case of six, nine or twelve month Interest Periods, on (i) the day which occurs during such Interest Period three months from the first day of such Interest Period, (ii) the day which occurs during such Interest Period six months from the first day of such Interest Period, and (iii) the day which occurs during such Interest Period nine months from the first day of such Interest Period.

 

(c)           Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances .  The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, so long as any such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Advance of such Lender, from the effective date of such Advance until such principal

 

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amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period for such Advance from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Advance.  Such additional interest payable to any Lender shall be determined by such Lender and notified to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent (such notice to include the calculation of such additional interest, which calculation shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error).

 

(d)           Usury Recapture .

 

(i)            If, with respect to any Lender, the effective rate of interest contracted for under the Loan Documents, including the stated rates of interest and fees contracted for hereunder and any other amounts contracted for under the Loan Documents which are deemed to be interest, at any time exceeds the Maximum Rate, then the outstanding principal amount of the loans made by such Lender hereunder shall bear interest at a rate which would make the effective rate of interest for such Lender under the Loan Documents equal the Maximum Rate until the difference between the amounts which would have been due at the stated rates and the amounts which were due at the Maximum Rate (the “Lost Interest”) has been recaptured by such Lender.

 

(ii)           If, when the loans made hereunder are repaid in full, the Lost Interest has not been fully recaptured by such Lender pursuant to the preceding paragraph, then, to the extent permitted by law, for the loans made hereunder by such Lender the interest rates charged under Section 2.09 hereunder shall be retroactively increased such that the effective rate of interest under the Loan Documents was at the Maximum Rate since the effectiveness of this Agreement to the extent necessary to recapture the Lost Interest not recaptured pursuant to the preceding sentence and, to the extent allowed by law, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender the amount of the Lost Interest remaining to be recaptured by such Lender.

 

(iii)          NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING OR ANY OTHER TERM IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, IT IS THE INTENTION OF EACH LENDER AND THE BORROWER TO CONFORM STRICTLY TO ANY APPLICABLE USURY LAWS.  ACCORDINGLY, IF ANY LENDER CONTRACTS FOR, CHARGES, OR RECEIVES ANY CONSIDERATION WHICH CONSTITUTES INTEREST IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM RATE, THEN ANY SUCH EXCESS SHALL BE CANCELED AUTOMATICALLY AND, IF PREVIOUSLY PAID, SHALL AT SUCH LENDER’S OPTION BE APPLIED TO THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT OF THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER BY SUCH LENDER OR BE REFUNDED TO THE BORROWER .

 

Section 2.10           Payments and Computations .

 

(a)           Payment Procedures .  The Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement and under the Notes not later than 10:00 a.m.  (Dallas, Texas time) / 8:00 a.m. (Los Angeles, California time) on the day when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the location referred to in the Notes (or such other location as the Administrative Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower) in same day funds without deduction, setoff, or

 

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counterclaim of any kind, except as may be applicable to any Defaulting Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal, interest or fees ratably (other than amounts payable solely to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or a specific Lender pursuant to Section 2.08(c), 2.09(c), 2.09(d), 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 8.05, or 9.07, but after taking into account payments effected pursuant to Section 9.04) in accordance with each Lender’s Pro Rata Share to the Lenders for the account of their respective Lending Offices, and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender or the Issuing Lender to such Lender for the account of its Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Computations .  All computations of interest based on the Reference Rate and of fees shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and all computations of interest based on the Eurodollar Rate and the Federal Funds Rate shall be made by the Administrative Agent, on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day, but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c)           Non-Business Day Payments .  Whenever any payment shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided , however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

 

(d)           Administrative Agent Reliance .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that the Borrower shall not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Lender on such date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date such Lender repays such amount to the Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate for such day.

 

Section 2.11           Sharing of Payments, Etc .  If any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations made by it in excess of its Pro Rata Share of payments on account of the Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations obtained by all the Lenders (other than as a result of a termination of a Defaulting Lender’s Commitment under Section 2.04(c)), such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Advances made by them or Letter of Credit Obligations held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; provided , however, that if all or any portion of such

 

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excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (a) the amount of the participation sold by such Lender to the purchasing Lender as a result of such excess payment to (b) the total amount of such excess payment) of such recovery, together with an amount equal to such Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lender’s required repayment to the purchasing Lender to (ii) the total amount of all such required repayments to the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  If a Lender fails to make an Advance with respect to a Borrowing as and when required hereunder and the Borrower subsequently makes a repayment of any Advances, such repayment shall be split among the non-defaulting Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitment percentages until each Lender (including the Defaulting Lender) has its percentage of all of the outstanding Advances and the balance of such repayment shall be applied among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share.

 

Section 2.12           Breakage Costs .  If (a) any payment of principal of any Eurodollar Rate Advance is made other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance, whether as a result of any payment pursuant to Section 2.05, the acceleration of the maturity of the Notes pursuant to Article VII, or otherwise, or (b) the Borrower fails to make a principal or interest payment with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advance on the date such payment is due and payable, the Borrower shall, within 10 days of any written demand sent by any Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, out-of-pocket costs or expenses which it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment or nonpayment, including, without limitation, any loss (including loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such Advance.

 

Section 2.13           Increased Costs .

 

(a)           Eurodollar Rate Advances .  If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of imposition or increase of reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage) in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding, or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances, then the Borrower shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased cost.  A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost and detailing the calculation of such cost submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

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(b)           Capital Adequacy .  If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines in good faith that compliance with any law or regulation adopted or changed after the date hereof or any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender and that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such Lender’s commitment to lend or the Issuing Lender’s commitment to issue the Letters of Credit and other commitments of this type, then, upon 30 days’ prior written notice by such Lender or the Issuing Lender (with a copy of any such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or to the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, from time to time as specified by such Lender or the Issuing Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender, in light of such circumstances, (i) with respect to such Lender, to the extent that such Lender reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the existence of such Lender’s commitment to lend under this Agreement and (ii) with respect to the Issuing Lender, to the extent that the Issuing Lender reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the issuance or maintenance of the Letters of Credit.  A certificate as to such amounts and detailing the calculation of such amounts submitted to the Borrower by such Lender or the Issuing Lender shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c)           Letters of Credit .  If any change adopted after the date hereof in any law or regulation or in the interpretation thereof by any court or administrative or Governmental Authority charged with the administration thereof shall either (i) impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement against letters of credit issued by, or assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, the Issuing Lender or (ii) impose on the Issuing Lender any other condition regarding the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Letters of Credit or any Letter of Credit Obligations, and the result of any event referred to in the preceding clause (i) or (ii) shall be to increase the cost to the Issuing Lender of issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (which increase in cost shall be determined by the Issuing Lender’s reasonable allocation of the aggregate of such cost increases resulting from such event), then, upon demand by the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender, from time to time as specified by the Issuing Lender, additional amounts which shall be sufficient to compensate the Issuing Lender for such increased cost.  A certificate as to such increased cost incurred by the Issuing Lender, as a result of any event mentioned in clause (i) or (ii) above, and detailing the calculation of such increased costs submitted by the Issuing Lender to the Borrower, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(d)           Mitigation .  Each Lender claiming compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the sole discretion of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

Section 2.14           Taxes .

 

(a)           No Deduction for Certain Taxes .  Any and all payments by the Borrower shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.10, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities

 

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with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender, the Issuing Lender, and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision of the jurisdiction (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”) and, in the case of each Lender and the Issuing Lender, Taxes by the jurisdiction of such Lender’s Lending Office or any political subdivision of such jurisdiction.  If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable to any Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.14), such Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made; provided , however, that if the Borrower’s obligation to deduct or withhold Taxes is caused solely by such Lender’s, the Issuing Lender’s, or the Administrative Agent’s failure to provide the forms described in paragraph (d) of this Section 2.14 and such Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the Administrative Agent could have provided such forms, no such increase shall be required; (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions; and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)           Other Taxes .  In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Loan Documents (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

(c)           IndemnificationTHE BORROWER INDEMNIFIES EACH LENDER, THE ISSUING LENDER, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF TAXES OR OTHER TAXES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY TAXES OR OTHER TAXES IMPOSED BY ANY JURISDICTION ON AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNDER THIS SECTION 2.14) PAID BY SUCH LENDER, THE ISSUING LENDER, OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS THE CASE MAY BE) AND ANY LIABILITY (INCLUDING INTEREST AND EXPENSES) ARISING THEREFROM OR WITH RESPECT THERETO, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TAXES OR OTHER TAXES WERE CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED.  EACH PAYMENT REQUIRED TO BE MADE BY THE BORROWER IN RESPECT OF THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL BE MADE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY PARTY CLAIMING SUCH INDEMNIFICATION WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE THE BORROWER RECEIVES WRITTEN DEMAND THEREFOR FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER, OR ANY SUCH LENDER.  IF ANY LENDER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OR THE ISSUING LENDER RECEIVES A REFUND IN RESPECT OF ANY TAXES PAID BY THE BORROWER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH (C), SUCH LENDER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OR THE ISSUING LENDER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL PROMPTLY PAY TO THE BORROWER THE BORROWER’S SHARE OF SUCH REFUND.

 

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(d)           Foreign Lender Withholding Exemption .  Each Lender and Issuing Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof agrees that it shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (i) two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W8-ECI or W8-BEN or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying in each case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement and the Notes payable to it, without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, (ii) if applicable, an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or successor applicable form, as the case may be, to establish an exemption from United States backup withholding tax, and (iii) any other governmental forms which are necessary or required under an applicable tax treaty or otherwise by law to reduce or eliminate any withholding tax, which have been reasonably requested by the Borrower.  Each Lender which delivers to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a Form W8-ECI or W8-BEN and Form W-8 or W-9 pursuant to the next preceding sentence further undertakes to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of the said letter and Form W8-ECI or W8-BEN and Form W-8 or W-9 , or successor applicable forms, or other manner of certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such letter or form expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent letter and form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certifying in the case of a Form W8-ECI or W8-BEN that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes.  If an event (including without limitation any change in treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which any delivery required by the preceding sentence would otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent any Lender from duly completing and delivering any such letter or form with respect to it and such Lender advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it is not capable of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax, and in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9, establishing an exemption from United States backup withholding tax, such Lender shall not be required to deliver such letter or forms.  The Borrower shall withhold tax at the rate and in the manner required by the laws of the United States with respect to payments made to a Lender failing to timely provide the requisite Internal Revenue Service forms.

 

Section 2.15           Replacement of Lender .  If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13(a) or (b), (ii) any Lender suspends its obligation to continue, or Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) or Section 2.11, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender (any such Lender, a “ Subject Lender ”), then (A) in the case of a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent may, upon notice to the Subject Lender and the Borrower, require such Subject Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment) and (B) in the case of any Subject Lender, including a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, upon notice to the Subject Lender and the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, require such Subject Lender to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this

 

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Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(A)                                                       as to assignments required by the Borrower, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 9.06;

 

(B)                                                         such Subject Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Advances and participations in outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.12) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Applicable Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(C)                                                         in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(D)                                                        such assignment does not conflict with applicable Legal Requirements.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.  Solely for purposes of effecting the assignment required for a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.15 and to the extent permitted under applicable Legal Requirements, each Lender hereby designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, for and on behalf of and in the name of such Lender to execute, acknowledge and deliver the Assignment and Acceptance required hereunder if such Lender was a Defaulting Lender and such Lender shall be bound thereby as fully and effectively as if such Lender had personally executed, acknowledged and delivered the same.  In lieu of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent replacing a Defaulting Lender as provided in this Section 2.15, the Borrower may terminate such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment as provided in Section 2.04.

 

ARTICLE III

 

CONDITIONS OF LENDING

 

Section 3.01           Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.   The effectiveness of this Agreement and the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement is subject to the conditions precedent that:

 

(a)           Documentation .  The Administrative Agent shall have received the following duly executed by all the parties thereto, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders, and, where applicable, in sufficient copies for each Lender:

 

(i)            this Agreement, a Note payable to the order of each Lender in the amount of its Commitment, the Guaranties, the Pledge Agreement, the Security Agreements, and Mortgages encumbering substantially all of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Proven Reserves

 

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and Oil and Gas Properties in connection therewith, and each of the other Loan Documents,  and all attached exhibits and schedules;

 

(ii)           a favorable opinion of the Borrower’s, its Subsidiaries’ and the Guarantors’ counsel dated as of the date of this Agreement and substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit K covering the matters discussed in such Exhibit and such other matters as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

(iii)          copies, certified as of the date of this Agreement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower of (A) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party, (B) the certificate of incorporation of the Borrower, (C) the bylaws of the Borrower and (D) all other documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement, the Note, and the other Loan Documents;

 

(iv)          certificates of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, the Notes, Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion or Continuation, and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party;

 

(v)           copies, certified as of the date of this Agreement by a Responsible Officer or the secretary or an assistant secretary of each Guarantor of (A) the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or other applicable governing body) of such Guarantor approving the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) the articles or certificate (as applicable) of incorporation (or organization) and bylaws of such Guarantor, and (C) all other documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to the Guaranty, the Security Instruments, and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party;

 

(vi)          a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary of each Guarantor certifying the names and true signatures of officers of such Guarantor authorized to sign the Guaranty, Security Instruments and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party;

 

(vii)         a certificate dated as of the date of this Agreement from the Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that the conditions in this Section 3.01 have been met;

 

(viii)        appropriate UCC-1 and UCC-3, as applicable, Financing Statements covering the Collateral for filing with the appropriate authorities and any other documents, agreements or instruments necessary to create an Acceptable Security Interest in such Collateral;

 

(ix)           stock certificates required in connection with the Pledge Agreements and stock powers executed in blank for each such stock certificate;

 

(x)            insurance certificates naming the Administrative Agent loss payee or additional insured, as applicable, and evidencing insurance which meets the requirements of this Agreement and the Security Instruments, and which is otherwise satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(xi)           the initial Independent Engineer’s Report dated effective as of a date acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

 

(xii)          the Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(xiii)         such other documents, governmental certificates, agreements and lien searches as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

(b)           Payment of Fees .  On the date of this Agreement, the Borrower shall have paid the fees required by Section 2.08(c) and all costs and expenses that have been invoiced and are payable pursuant to Section 9.04.

 

(c)           Delivery of Financial Statements .  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received true and correct copies of (i) the Financial Statements, (ii) the Interim Financial Statements and (iii) such other financial information as the Lenders may reasonably request.

 

(d)           Security Instruments .  The Administrative Agent shall have received all appropriate evidence required by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion necessary to determine that the Administrative Agent (for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have an Acceptable Security Interest in the Collateral and that all actions or filings necessary to protect, preserve and validly perfect such Liens have been made, taken or obtained, as the case may be, and are in full force and effect.

 

(e)           Title .  The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied in its sole discretion with the title to the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base and that such Oil and Gas Properties constitute a percentage of such Collateral reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(f)            Environmental .  The Administrative Agent shall have received such Phase I environmental assessments or other reports as it may reasonably require and shall be satisfied with the condition of the Oil and Gas Properties with respect to the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

(g)           No Default .  No Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(h)           Representations and Warranties .  The representations and warranties contained in Article IV hereof and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

(i)            Material Adverse Change .  No event or circumstance that could cause a Material Adverse Change shall have occurred.

 

(j)            No Proceeding or Litigation; No Injunctive Relief .  No action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including, without limitation, the enactment or promulgation of a statute or rule) by or before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority shall be threatened or pending and no preliminary or permanent injunction or order by a state or federal court shall have been entered (i) in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or (ii)

 

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which, in any case, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change (other than the developments under the litigation proceedings set forth on Schedule 4.07 which have been disclosed to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date).

 

(k)           Consents, Licenses, Approvals, etc .  The Administrative Agent shall have received true copies (certified to be such by the Borrower or other appropriate party) of all consents, licenses and approvals required in accordance with applicable law, or in accordance with any document, agreement, instrument or arrangement to which the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries is a party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents.  In addition, the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries shall have all such material consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the continued operation of the Borrower, the Guarantors and respective Subsidiaries, and such approvals shall be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on this Agreement and the actions contemplated hereby.

 

(l)            Hedging Arrangements .  The Borrower shall have entered into the Hydrocarbon Hedge Agreements required by Section 5.12.

 

(m)          Material Contracts .  The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of all material contracts, agreements or instruments listed on the attached Schedule 4.21.

 

(n)           Subordinated Debt .  The Borrower shall have entered into the Subordinated Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions thereof shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 of the Subordinated Credit Agreement shall contemporaneously herewith have been satisfied or waived in writing as of the date hereof.  The Borrower shall have delivered copies of the Subordinated Credit Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Responsible Officers at any time in connection with the Subordinated Credit Agreement on or before the date hereof.

 

(o)           USA Patriot Act .  The Borrower has delivered to each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act such information requested by such Lender in order to comply with the Patriot Act.

 

Section 3.02           Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings .  The obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing and of the Issuing Lender to issue, increase, or extend any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such Borrowing or the date of the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit:

 

(a)           the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion or Continuation, or Letter of Credit Application and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower

 

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that on the date of such Borrowing or on the date of such issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, such statements are true):

 

(i)            the representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this Agreement and the representations and warranties contained in the Security Instruments, the Guaranties, and each of the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit, before and after giving effect to such Borrowing or to the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit and to the application of the proceeds from such Borrowing, as though made on and as of such date except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date, in which case it shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and

 

(ii)           no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, or would result from the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit; and

 

(b)           the Administrative Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions, or documents reasonably deemed necessary or desirable by any Lender as a result of circumstances occurring after the date of this Agreement, as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

 

Section 4.01           Existence; Subsidiaries .  The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and in good standing and qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of Property or conduct of its business requires such qualification except where the failure to be so qualified could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  Each Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and in good standing and qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of Property or conduct of its business requires such qualification except where the failure to be so qualified could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  As of the date hereof, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those listed identified in Schedule 4.01.

 

Section 4.02           Power .  The execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and by the Guarantors of the Guaranties and the other Loan Documents to which they are a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are within the Borrower’s and such Guarantors’ governing powers, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary governing action, (c) do not contravene (i) the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement, or other similar

 

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governance documents or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or any Guarantor, and (d) will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement.  At the time of each Advance and the issuance, extension or increase of a Letter of Credit, such Advance and such Letter of Credit, and the use of the proceeds of such Advance and such Letter of Credit, will be within the Borrower’s governing powers, will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, will not contravene (i) the Borrower’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws or other organizational documents or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower and will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.03           Authorization and Approvals .  No consent, order, authorization, or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required for the due execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party or by each Guarantor of its Guaranty or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.  At the time of each Borrowing and each issuance, increase or extension of a Letter of Credit, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority will be required for such Borrowing or such issuance, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds of such Borrowing or such Letter of Credit.

 

Section 4.04           Enforceable Obligations .  This Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Guaranties and the other Loan Documents to which each Guarantor is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors.  Each Loan Document is the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Borrower and each Guarantor which is a party to it enforceable against the Borrower and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

 

Section 4.05           Financial Statements .

 

(a)           The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders copies of the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements, and the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements are accurate and complete in all material respects and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for their respective period in accordance with GAAP.  As of the date of the Financial Statements, there were no material contingent obligations, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments, or unrealized or anticipated losses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except as disclosed therein and adequate reserves for such items have been made in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b)           Since the date of the Financial Statements, no event or circumstance that could cause a Material Adverse Change has occurred.

 

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(c)           As of the date hereof, the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries have no Debt other than the Debt listed on Schedule 4.05.

 

Section 4.06           True and Complete Disclosure .  All factual information (excluding estimates) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors in writing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is, and all other such factual information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower and the Guarantors in writing to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders was or shall be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information was or is dated or certified and did not or does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading at such time.  All projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information furnished by the Borrower were prepared on the basis of assumptions, data, information, tests, or conditions believed to be reasonable at the time such projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information were furnished.

 

Section 4.07           Litigation; Compliance with Laws .

 

(a)           There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of the Guarantors before any court, Governmental Authority or arbitrator which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change other than as set forth in Schedule 4.07 or which purports to affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement, any Note, or any other Loan Document.  Additionally, there is no pending or, to the best of the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding instituted against the Borrower or any of the Guarantors which seeks to adjudicate the Borrower or any of the Guarantors as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its Property.

 

(b)           The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all material statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective Property

 

Section 4.08           Use of Proceeds .  The proceeds of the Advances will be used by the Borrower for the purposes described in Section 5.09.  The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U).  No proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation T, U or X.

 

Section 4.09           Investment Company Act .  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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Section 4.10           Federal Power Act .  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender nor any of the Lenders, solely by virtue of the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, the Loan Documents shall be or become subject to regulation (a) under the Federal Power Act, as amended, (b) as a “public utility” or “public service corporation” or the equivalent under the applicable law of any state, or (c) under the applicable laws of any state relating to public utilities or public service corporations.

 

Section 4.11           Taxes .

 

(a)           Reports and Payments .  All Returns (as defined below in clause (c) of this Section) required to be filed by or on behalf of the Borrower, the Guarantors, or any member of the Controlled Group (hereafter collectively called the “Tax Group”) have been duly filed on a timely basis or appropriate extensions have been obtained and such Returns are and will be true, complete and correct, except where the failure to so file would not be reasonably expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; and all Taxes shown to be payable on the Returns or on subsequent assessments with respect thereto will have been paid in full on a timely basis, and no other Taxes will be payable by the Tax Group with respect to items or periods covered by such Returns, except in each case to the extent of (i) reserves reflected in the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements, or (ii) taxes that are being contested in good faith.  The reserves for accrued Taxes reflected in the financial statements delivered to the Lenders under this Agreement are adequate in the aggregate for the payment of all unpaid Taxes, whether or not disputed, for the period ended as of the date thereof and for any period prior thereto, and for which the Tax Group may be liable in its own right, as withholding agent or as a transferee of the assets of, or successor to, any Person.

 

(b)           Taxes Definition .  “Taxes” in this Section 4.11 shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments imposed by any federal, state, local, or foreign taxing authority, including without limitation, income, gross receipts, excise, real or personal property, sales, occupation, use, service, leasing, environmental, value added, transfer, payroll, and franchise taxes (and including any interest, penalties, or additions to tax attributable to or imposed on with respect to any such assessment).

 

(c)           Returns Definition .  “Returns” in this Section 4.11 shall mean any federal, state, local, or foreign report, estimate, declaration of estimated Tax, information statement or return relating to, or required to be filed in connection with, any Taxes, including any information return or report with respect to backup withholding or other payments of third parties.

 

Section 4.12           Pension Plans .  All Plans are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA.  No Termination Event has occurred with respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied with and been administered in all material respects in accordance with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.  No “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) has occurred and there has been no excise tax imposed under Section 4971 of the Code.  No Reportable Event under Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder has occurred with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, and each Multiemployer Plan has complied with and been administered in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.  The present value of all benefits vested under each Plan (based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) did not, as of the last annual

 

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valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such vested benefits.  Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan for which there is any withdrawal liability.  As of the most recent valuation date applicable thereto, neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group would become subject to any liability under ERISA if the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group has received notice that any Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization.  Based upon GAAP existing as of the date of this Agreement and current factual circumstances, the Borrower has no reason to believe that the annual cost during the term of this Agreement to the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group for post-retirement benefits to be provided to the current and former employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group under Plans that are welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

Section 4.13           Condition of Property; Casualties .  Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors has good and marketable title to all of its Oil and Gas Properties as is customary in the oil and gas industry in all material respects, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens.  Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors has good and indefeasible title to all of its other Properties, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens.  The material Properties used or to be used in the continuing operations of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors are in good repair, working order and condition.  Since the date of the Financial Statements, neither the business nor the material Properties of the Borrower and each of the Guarantors, taken as a whole, has been materially and adversely affected as a result of any fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or cancellation of contracts, Permits, or concessions by a Governmental Authority, riot, activities of armed forces, or acts of God or of any public enemy.

 

Section 4.14           No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults .

 

(a)           Other than those identified on Schedule 4.14(a), neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor is a party to any indenture, loan, or credit agreement or any lease or other agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or corporate restriction or provision of applicable law or governmental regulation that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party and which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change or under any agreement in connection with any Debt, including, without limitation, the Subordinated Loan Documents.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of default under any material contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party a copy of which has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)           No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 4.15           Environmental Condition .

 

(a)           Permits, Etc .  The Borrower and the Guarantors (i) have obtained all Environmental Permits necessary for the ownership and operation of their respective Properties

 

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and the conduct of their respective businesses; (ii) have at all times been and are in material compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits and with all other material requirements of applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) have not received notice of any material violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Permit; and (iv) are not subject to any actual or contingent Environmental Claim, which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

(b)           Certain Liabilities .  To the Borrower’s actual knowledge, none of the present or previously owned or operated Property of the Borrower or any Guarantor or of any of their former Subsidiaries, wherever located, (i) has been placed on or proposed to be placed on the National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Information System list, or their state or local analogs, or have been otherwise investigated, designated, listed, or identified as a potential site for removal, remediation, cleanup, closure, restoration, reclamation, or other response activity under any Environmental Laws; (ii) is subject to a Lien, arising under or in connection with any Environmental Laws, that attaches to any revenues or to any Property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, wherever located, which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; or (iii) has been the site of any Release of Hazardous Substances or Hazardous Wastes from present or past operations which has caused at the site or at any third-party site any condition that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in the need for Response that would cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

(c)           Certain Actions .  Without limiting the foregoing, (i) all necessary notices have been properly filed, and no further action is required under current Environmental Law as to each Response or other restoration or remedial project undertaken by the Borrower or the Guarantors or any of their former Subsidiaries on any of their presently or formerly owned or operated Property and (ii) the present and, to the Borrower’s best knowledge, future liability, if any, of the Borrower and the Guarantors which could reasonably be expected to arise in connection with requirements under Environmental Laws will not result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

Section 4.16           Permits, Licenses, Etc .  The Borrower and the Guarantors possess all authorizations, Permits, licenses, patents, patent rights or licenses, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names rights and copyrights which are material to the conduct of their business.  The Borrower and the Guarantors manage and operate their business in all material respects in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements and good industry practices.

 

Section 4.17           Gas Contracts .  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors, as of the date hereof, (a) is obligated in any material respect by virtue of any prepayment made under any contract containing a “take-or-pay” or “prepayment” provision or under any similar agreement to deliver hydrocarbons produced from or allocated to any of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties at some future date without receiving full payment therefor at the time of delivery, or (b) except as has been disclosed to the Administrative Agent, has produced gas, in any material amount, subject to, and none of the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ Oil and Gas Properties is subject to, balancing rights of third parties or subject to balancing duties under governmental requirements.

 

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Section 4.18           Liens; Titles, Leases, Etc .  None of the Property of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors is subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens.  On the date of this Agreement, all governmental actions and all other filings, recordings, registrations, third party consents and other actions which are necessary to create and perfect the Liens provided for in the Security Instruments will have been made, obtained and taken in all relevant jurisdictions.  All leases and agreements for the conduct of business of the Borrower and the Guarantors are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect and there exists no default or event of default or circumstance which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would give rise to a default under any such leases or agreements which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors is a party to any agreement or arrangement (other than this Agreement and the Security Instruments), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to secure the Obligations against their respective assets or Properties.

 

Section 4.19           Solvency and Insurance .  Before and after giving effect to the making of the initial Advances (or deemed issuance thereof under Section 2.01(b)), each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is Solvent.  Additionally, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries carry insurance required under Section 5.02 of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.20           Hedging Agreements .  Schedule 4.20 sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list of all Interest Hedge Agreements, Hydrocarbon Hedge Agreements, and Hedge Contracts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied), and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

Section 4.21           Material Agreements .  Schedule 4.21 sets forth a complete and correct list of all material agreements, leases, indentures, purchase agreements, obligations in respect of letters of credit, guarantees, joint venture agreements, and other instruments in effect or to be in effect as of the date hereof (other than the agreements set forth in Schedule 4.20) providing for, evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to any Debt of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, and all obligations of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors to issuers of surety or appeal bonds issued for account of the Borrower or any such Guarantor, and such list correctly sets forth the names of the debtor or lessee and creditor or lessor with respect to the Debt or lease obligations outstanding or to be outstanding and the Property subject to any Lien securing such Debt or lease obligation.  Also set forth on Schedule 4.21 hereto is a complete and correct list of all material agreements and other instruments of the Borrower and the Guarantors relating to the purchase, transportation by pipeline, gas processing, marketing, sale and supply of natural gas and other Hydrocarbons.  The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a complete and correct copy of all such material credit agreements, indentures, purchase agreements, contracts, letters of credit, guarantees, joint venture agreements, or other instruments, including any modifications or supplements thereto, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Note or any amount under any Loan Document shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower agrees, unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, to comply with the following covenants.

 

Section 5.01           Compliance with Laws, Etc .  The Borrower shall comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all material Legal Requirements.  Without limiting the generality and coverage of the foregoing, the Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects, with all material Environmental Laws and all laws, regulations, or directives with respect to equal employment opportunity and employee safety in all jurisdictions in which the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries do business; provided , however, that this Section 5.01 shall not prevent the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from, in good faith and with reasonable diligence, contesting the validity or application of any such laws or regulations by appropriate legal proceedings.  Without limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain and possess all authorizations, Permits, licenses, trademarks, trade names, rights and copyrights which are necessary to the conduct of its business and (b) obtain, as soon as practicable, all consents or approvals required from any states of the United States (or other Governmental Authorities) necessary to grant the Administrative Agent an Acceptable Security Interest in the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties.

 

Section 5.02           Maintenance of Insurance .

 

(a)           The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, procure and maintain or shall cause to be procured and maintained continuously in effect policies of insurance in form and amounts and issued by companies, associations or organizations reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering such casualties, risks, perils, liabilities and other hazards reasonably required by the Administrative Agent.  In addition, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all requirements regarding insurance contained in the Security Instruments.

 

(b)           All certified copies of policies or certificates thereof, and endorsements and renewals thereof shall be delivered to and retained by the Administrative Agent.  All policies of insurance shall either have attached thereto a Lender’s loss payable endorsement for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, as loss payee in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or shall name the Administrative Agent as an additional insured, as applicable.  The Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent with a certificate of insurance or a certified copy of all policies of insurance required.  All policies or certificates of insurance shall set forth the coverage, the limits of liability, the name of the carrier, the policy number, and the period of coverage.  In addition, all policies of insurance required under the terms hereof shall contain an endorsement or agreement by the insurer that any loss shall be payable in accordance with the terms of such policy notwithstanding any act of negligence of the Borrower, or a Subsidiary or any party holding under the Borrower or a Subsidiary which might otherwise result in a forfeiture of the insurance and the further agreement of the insurer waiving all rights of setoff, counterclaim or deductions against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  All such policies shall contain a provision that notwithstanding any contrary agreements between the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, and the applicable insurance company, such policies will not be canceled, allowed

 

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to lapse without renewal, surrendered or amended (which provision shall include any reduction in the scope or limits of coverage) without at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.  In the event that, notwithstanding the “lender’s loss payable endorsement” requirement of this Section 5.02, the proceeds of any insurance policy described above are paid to the Borrower or a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall deliver such proceeds to the Administrative Agent immediately upon receipt.

 

Section 5.03           Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc .  The Borrower shall preserve and maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain, its corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, existence, rights, franchises, and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, and qualify and remain qualified, and cause each such Subsidiary to qualify and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership of its Properties, and, in each case, where failure to qualify or preserve and maintain its rights and franchises could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

 

Section 5.04           Payment of Taxes, Etc .  The Borrower shall pay and discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or Property that are material in amount, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto and (b) all lawful claims that are material in amount which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its Property; provided , however, that neither the Borrower nor any such Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge, levy, or claim which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided.

 

Section 5.05           Visitation Rights .  At any reasonable time and from time to time, upon reasonable notice, the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, permit the Administrative Agent and any Lender or any of their respective agents or representatives thereof, to (a) examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit and inspect at their reasonable discretion the Properties of, the Borrower and any such Subsidiary, and (b) discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any such Subsidiary with any of their respective officers or directors.

 

Section 5.06           Reporting Requirements .  The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

(a)           Annual Financials .  As soon as available and in any event not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, commencing with fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, (i) to the extent not otherwise provided in the Form 10-K filed by the Borrower with the SEC for such fiscal year end, a copy of the annual audit report for such year for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, including therein the Borrower’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of the end of such fiscal year and the Borrower’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ statements of income, cash flows, and retained earnings, in each case certified by an independent certified public accountants of national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and including any management letters delivered by such accountants to the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such

 

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audit, (ii) any management letters delivered by such accountants to the Borrower, (iii) the Form 10-K filed with the SEC for such fiscal year end, (iv) a Compliance Certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and (v) a copy of the unaudited annual consolidating financial statements of each of its Subsidiaries, including therein such Subsidiary’s balance sheet and statements of income, cash flows, and retained earnings for such fiscal year;

 

(b)           Quarterly Financials .  As soon as available and in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008, (i) to the extent not otherwise provided in the Form 10-Q for such fiscal quarter end, the unaudited balance sheet and the statements of income, cash flows, and retained earnings of each such Person for the period commencing at the end of the previous year and ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all in reasonable detail and duly certified with respect to such consolidated statements (subject to year-end audit adjustments) by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, (ii) the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for such fiscal quarter end, and (iii) a Compliance Certificate executed by the Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

(c)           Oil and Gas Reserve Reports .

 

(i)            As soon as available but in any event on or before each September 30 of each year, an Independent Engineering Report dated effective as of July 1 for such year;

 

(ii)           As soon as available but in any event on or before (A) May 1, 2009 and (B) March 31 of each year, commencing with March 31, 2010, an Internal Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding January 1;

 

(iii)          Such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base;

 

With the delivery of each Engineering Report, a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, to the best of his knowledge and in all material respects: (A) the information contained in the Engineering Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (B) the Borrower or its Subsidiary, as applicable, owns good and marketable title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Engineering Report, as is customary in the oil and gas industry, and such Oil and Gas Properties are subject to an Acceptable Se