ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS,
L.P.
Dated as of September 21,
2005
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Page
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ARTICLE
I
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DEFINITIONS AND
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
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1
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1.1
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Definitions
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1
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1.2
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Rules of
Construction
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9
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ARTICLE
II
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PURCHASE AND
SALE; CLOSING
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10
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2.1
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Purchase and
Sale of Shares
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10
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2.2
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Consideration
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10
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2.3
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Purchase Price
Adjustment
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10
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2.4
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Final Purchase
Price
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11
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2.5
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The
Closing
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12
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ARTICLE
III
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO SELLER
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12
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3.1
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Organization of
Seller
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12
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3.2
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Authorization;
Enforceability
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12
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3.3
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No Conflict;
Consents
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12
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3.4
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Ownership of
Shares
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13
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3.5
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Litigation
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13
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3.6
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Brokers’
Fees
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13
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ARTICLE
IV
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES RELATED TO EAPC
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13
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4.1
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Organization of
EAPC
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13
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4.2
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No Conflict;
Consents
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14
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4.3
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Capitalization
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14
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4.4
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Ownership of
Partnership Interests
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15
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4.5
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Litigation
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15
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4.6
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EAPC Financial
Statements
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15
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4.7
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EAPC
Taxes
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16
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4.8
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No Other
Business
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16
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ARTICLE
V
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO NOARK
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16
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5.1
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Organization of
NOARK
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16
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5.2
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No Conflict;
Consents
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16
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5.3
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NOARK
Subsidiaries
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17
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-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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Page
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5.4
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NOARK Financial
Statements
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17
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5.5
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No Undisclosed
Liabilities
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17
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5.6
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Absence of
Certain Changes
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18
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5.7
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Contracts
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18
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5.8
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Intellectual
Property
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19
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5.9
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Litigation
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20
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5.10
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Employee
Benefit Plans
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20
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5.11
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NOARK
Taxes
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21
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5.12
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Environmental
Matters
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22
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5.13
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Compliance with
Laws; Permits
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22
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5.14
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No FERC
Proceedings
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23
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5.15
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Insurance
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23
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5.16
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Labor
Relations
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23
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5.17
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Throughput Data
and Information
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24
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5.18
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Title to
Assets; Sufficiency
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24
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ARTICLE
VI
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER
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24
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6.1
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Organization of
Buyer
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25
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6.2
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Authorization;
Enforceability
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6.3
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No Conflict;
Consents
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6.4
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Litigation
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25
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6.5
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Brokers’
Fees
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25
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6.6
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Financial
Ability
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25
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6.7
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Securities Law
Compliance
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26
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ARTICLE
VII
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COVENANTS
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26
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7.1
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Conduct of
Business
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26
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7.2
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Access
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27
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7.3
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Third Party
Approvals
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30
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7.4
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Regulatory
Filings
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30
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7.5
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Employee and
Benefit Matters
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30
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-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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Page
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7.6
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Seller
Marks
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33
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7.7
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Books and
Records; Access
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33
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7.8
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Notifications
and Permits; FERC Order 2004; Shared Frequencies
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33
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7.9
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Director and
Officer Indemnification
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34
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7.10
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Company
Guaranties
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34
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7.11
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Conversion into
Single-Member Limited Liability Company
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35
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7.12
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Redemption of
NOARK Notes
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35
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7.13
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Seller
Interconnection Points
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36
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ARTICLE
VIII
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TAX
MATTERS
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36
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8.1
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Responsibility
for Filing Tax Returns and Paying Taxes
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36
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8.2
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Responsibility
for Tax Audits and Contests
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36
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8.3
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Tax Sharing
Agreements
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37
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8.4
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Tax
Refunds
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37
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8.5
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Transfer
Taxes
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37
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8.6
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Disputes over
Tax Provisions
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37
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8.7
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Indemnification
for Consolidated Group Tax Liability
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37
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8.8
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Section 754 Election
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37
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ARTICLE
IX
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CONDITIONS TO
CLOSING
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37
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9.1
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Conditions to
Obligations of Buyer
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37
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9.2
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Conditions to
the Obligations of Seller
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38
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ARTICLE
X
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INDEMNIFICATION
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39
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10.1
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Survival
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39
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10.2
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Indemnification
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40
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10.3
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Procedures
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41
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10.4
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Waiver of Other
Representations
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43
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10.5
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Exclusive
Remedy and Release
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43
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ARTICLE
XI
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TERMINATION
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43
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11.1
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Termination
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43
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11.2
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Effect of
Termination
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44
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ARTICLE
XII
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MISCELLANEOUS
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44
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-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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Page
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12.1
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Notices
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44
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12.2
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Assignment
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45
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12.3
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Rights of Third
Parties
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45
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12.4
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Expenses
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46
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12.5
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Counterparts
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46
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12.6
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Entire
Agreement
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46
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12.7
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Disclosure
Schedule
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46
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12.8
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Acknowledgment
by Buyer
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46
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12.9
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Amendments
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46
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12.10
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Publicity
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46
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12.11
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Severability
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47
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12.12
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Governing Law;
Jurisdiction
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47
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-iv-
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Form of
Transition Services Agreement
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Knowledge
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Liens
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Consideration
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EAPC Financial
Statements
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EAPC
Taxes
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No Other
Business
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Conflict;
Consents
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Jurisdictions
Licensed or Qualified
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NOARK Financial
Statements
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Undisclosed
Liabilities
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Absence of
Certain Changes
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Material
Contracts
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Enforceability
of Material Contracts
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Litigation
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Plans
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Description of
Plans
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Taxes
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Environmental
Matters
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FCC
Licenses
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FERC
Proceedings
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Insurance
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Labor
Relations
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Throughput Data
and Information
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-v-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
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Page
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Title to
Assets; Sufficiency
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No Conflict;
Consents
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Financing
Commitment
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Eligible
Employees
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Severance
Benefits
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-vi-
THIS STOCK
PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of September 21, 2005 (this
“ Agreement ”), is entered into by and
between Enogex Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (“
Seller ”), and Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership (“ Buyer
”).
WHEREAS, Enogex
Arkansas Pipeline Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (“
EAPC ”), owns a 74% general partner interest
and a 1% limited partner interest of NOARK Pipeline System, Limited
Partnership, an Arkansas limited partnership (“
NOARK ”);
WHEREAS, NOARK
owns and operates (a) a FERC-regulated interstate natural gas
transmission pipeline system extending from southeast Oklahoma
through Arkansas to southeast Missouri known as Ozark Gas
Transmission, L.L.C. and (b) various natural gas gathering
systems that are not subject to FERC regulation, as well as
associated equipment and systems;
WHEREAS, Seller
owns all of the issued and outstanding common stock, par value
$1.00 per share (the “ Shares ”) of EAPC;
and
WHEREAS, on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, Seller
desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from
Seller, the Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as
follows:
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF
CONSTRUCTION
1.1
Definitions . As used herein, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
“
Accountants ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 2.3(b)(iv) .
“
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person,
any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with, such specified
Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise. For the
purposes of this definition, “control” means, where
used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the
terms “controlling” and “controlled” have
correlative meanings.
“
Aggregate Redemption Funding Amount ” shall
mean the sum of (i) the Redemption Price (as defined in the
NOARK Indenture) plus (ii) any unpaid interest on the Seller
Portion of the NOARK Notes accrued to the Designated Redemption
Date.
-1-
“
Agreed Rate ” means (a) the annual rate of
interest published by The Wall Street Journal as one-month
LIBOR on the Business Day that interest begins to accrue under
Section 2.4 plus (b) 250 basis points per annum,
such rate to change each month on the monthly anniversary of such
Business Day based on the quotation of one month LIBOR in The
Wall Street Journal on the latest day on or prior to such
anniversary that The Wall Street Journal is
published.
“
Agreement ” has the meaning provided such term
in the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Balance Sheet Date ” means July 31,
2005.
“ Base
Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such term
in Section 2.2 .
“
Business Day ” means any day that is not a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the States of Oklahoma and New
York and that is not otherwise a federal holiday in the United
States.
“
Buyer ” has the meaning provided such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.
“
Buyer Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 10.2(b) .
“
CERCLA ” means the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, as amended,
42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
“
Claim Notice ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 10.3(a) .
“
Closing ” has the meaning provided such term in
Section 2.5 .
“
Closing Date ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 2.5 .
“
Closing Net Working Capital ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 2.3(b)(i) .
“
Closing Payment ” has the meaning provided in
such term in Section 2.3(a) .
“
Closing Statement ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 2.3(b) .
“
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
“
Company Guaranties ” means those guaranties,
letters of credit, bonds, sureties and other forms of credit
support or assurances provided by Seller or its Affiliates (other
than any member of the NOARK Group) in support of obligations of
NOARK or any NOARK Subsidiary.
“
Company Securities ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 4.3(b) .
“
Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain
confidentiality agreement, dated as of June 14, 2005, between
Buyer and Seller.
“
Constituents of Concern ” any substance defined
as a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, hazardous material,
pollutant or contaminant by any Environmental Law, any
petroleum
-2-
hydrocarbon and
any degradation product of a petroleum hydrocarbon, friable
asbestos, or PCBs, the handling, storage, treatment or exposure of
or to which is subject to regulation under any Environmental
Law.
“
Continuing Employee ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 7.5(b) .
“
Contract ” means any legally binding agreement,
commitment, lease, license or contract, but excluding
Plans.
“
Delivering Party ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 2.3(b)(i) .
“
Designated Redemption Date ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 7.12 .
“
Direct Claim ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 10.3(d) .
“
Disclosure Schedule ” means the schedules
attached hereto.
“
Dispute Notice ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 8.1 .
“
Dollars ” and “ $ ”
mean the lawful currency of the United States.
“
EAPC ” has the meaning provided such term in
the recitals of this Agreement.
“ EAPC
Financial Statements ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 4.6 .
“
Easements ” has the meaning provided such term
in Section 5.18(b) .
“
Eligible Employees ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 7.5(a) .
“
Environmental Law ” means all applicable Laws
and Environmental Permits of any Governmental Authority relating to
the protection of health or the environment, including:
(a) all requirements pertaining to liability for reporting,
management, licensing, permitting, investigation, and remediation
of emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of a
Constituent of Concern; and (b) all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, obligations, and
timetables contained therein or in any notice or demand letter
issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder. The term
“ Environmental Law ” includes, without
limitation, CERCLA, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (which
includes the Federal Clean Water Act), the Federal Clean Air Act,
the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (which includes the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act), the Federal Toxic Substances
Control Act, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act, each as amended from time to time, any regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto, and any state or local counterparts.
“
Environmental Permits ” all permits, licenses,
registrations, authorizations, certificates and approvals of
Governmental Authorities relating to or required by Environmental
Laws and necessary for or held in connection with the conduct of
the business.
“
Existing Interconnect ” means any pipeline
interconnect existing on the date hereof that connects a NOARK
System with a Seller System.
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“
ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“
FERC ” means the United States Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission.
“
Financing Commitment ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 6.6 .
“
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting
principles of the United States, consistently applied.
“
Governmental Authority ” means any federal,
state, municipal, local or similar governmental authority,
regulatory or administrative agency, court or arbitral
body.
“ Hire
Date ” has the meaning provided such term in
Section 7.5(a) .
“ HSR
Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
“
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money ” means all
obligations to any Person for borrowed money, including
(a) any obligation to reimburse any bank or other Person in
respect of amounts paid or payable under a standby letter of credit
or (b) any guaranty with respect to indebtedness for borrowed
money of another Person.
“
Indemnified Party ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 10.3(a) .
“
Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 10.3(a) .
“
Intellectual Property ” means intellectual
property rights, statutory or common law, worldwide, including
(a) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, slogans, logos and
all goodwill associated therewith, and any applications or
registrations for any of the foregoing; (b) copyrights and any
applications or registrations for any of the foregoing; and
(c) patents, all confidential know-how, trade secrets and
similar proprietary rights in confidential inventions, discoveries,
improvements, processes, techniques, devices, methods, patterns,
formulae, specifications, and lists of suppliers, vendors,
customers, and distributors.
“
IRS ” means Internal Revenue Service of the
United States.
“
Knowledge ” as to Seller means the actual
knowledge of those persons listed on Schedule 1.1(a)
.
“
Law ” means any applicable statute, writ, law,
common law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, judgment,
injunction, award, determination or decree of a Governmental
Authority, or any requirement under the common law, in each case as
in effect on and as interpreted on the date of this Agreement or on
and as of the Closing Date, as applicable, unless the context
otherwise clearly requires a different date, in which case on and
as of such date.
“
Lien(s) ” means any charges, pledges, options,
mortgages, deeds of trust, hypothecations, encumbrances or security
interests.
-4-
“
Losses ” has the meaning provided such term in
Section 10.2 .
“
Management Committee ” means the committee that
manages NOARK pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and as further
defined therein.
“
Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect
to any Person, any circumstance, change or effect that (a) is
materially adverse to the business, operations (including results
of operation), assets, liabilities or financial condition of such
Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) that
materially impedes the ability of such Person or any of its
Affiliates to complete the transactions contemplated herein, but in
respect of NOARK and the NOARK Subsidiaries shall exclude for
purposes of clause (a) above any circumstance, change or
effect resulting or arising from: (i) any change in general
economic conditions in the industries or markets in which NOARK or
any of the NOARK Subsidiaries operates; (ii) seasonal
reductions in revenues and/or earnings of NOARK or any of the NOARK
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business and consistent
with past performance; (iii) national or international
political conditions, including any engagement in hostilities,
whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency
or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack;
(iv) changes in Law, GAAP, RAP or the interpretation thereof;
(v) subject to the final sentence of each of
Sections 3.3 , 4.2 and 5.2 , the entry
into or announcement of this Agreement or actions contemplated by
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby; (vi) matters that will be reflected in the determination of
the Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date; or (vii) the
loss of any employee of EAPC, NOARK or any Eligible
Employee.
“
Material Contracts ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 5.7(a) .
“ Net
Working Capital ” means, as of any given date, an
amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to 75% of the
total current assets of NOARK and the NOARK Subsidiaries as of such
date minus the sum of 75% of the total current liabilities
of NOARK and the NOARK Subsidiaries as of such date (excluding
short-term debt identified on the NOARK Financial Statements and
excluding accrued interest with respect to the NOARK Notes), in
each case determined in accordance with RAP and without giving
effect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding any
provision in this Agreement to the contrary, and as illustrated on
Schedule 2.2 , for purposes of calculating Net Working
Capital as of any given date, the cash component included in
current assets will be the actual EAPC cash allocation amount as
detailed on the monthly “NOARK Pipeline System, LP Recap of
Cash Balances Schedule” as of such date.
“
NOARK ” has the meaning provided such term in
the recitals to this Agreement.
“
NOARK Financial Statements ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 5.4 .
“
NOARK Group ” means, collectively, EAPC, NOARK
and the NOARK Subsidiaries.
“
NOARK Group Documents ” means,
collectively, all data room materials and all books and records of
the NOARK Group that relate to the business or operations of EAPC
or NOARK on or before the Closing Date.
-5-
“
NOARK Indenture ” means the Indenture, dated as
of June 1, 1998, between NOARK Pipeline Finance L.L.C. and UMB
Bank, N.A., successor trustee to The Bank of New York (the “
Trustee ”).
“
NOARK Notes ” means the notes in an original
aggregate principal amount of $80,000,000 authenticated, issued and
delivered pursuant to the NOARK Indenture.
“
NOARK Permits ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 5.13(b) .
“
NOARK Subsidiaries ” means, collectively, NOARK
Pipeline Finance, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company,
Ozark Gas Transmission, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability
company, Ozark Gas Gathering, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability
company, and NOARK Energy Services, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited
liability company.
“
NOARK System ” means any pipeline system owned
by any member of the NOARK Group on the date hereof.
“
NOARK Workforce ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 5.16 .
“
Objection Notice ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 2.3(b)(iii) .
“
Organizational Documents ” means any charter,
certificate of incorporation, articles of association, partnership
agreements, limited liability company agreements, bylaws, operating
agreement or similar formation or governing documents and
instruments.
“
Parties ” means Seller and Buyer.
“
Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NOARK Pipeline System,
Limited Partnership, dated as of January 12, 1998, as
amended.
“
Partnership Interests ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 4.4 .
“
Permits ” means authorizations, licenses,
permits, franchises, grants, variances, exemptions, consents,
approvals, orders or certificates issued by Governmental
Authorities; provided , right-of-way agreements and similar
approvals are not included in the definition of Permits.
“
Permitted Liens ” means (a) Liens for
Taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have
been established, (b) statutory Liens (including
materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, mechanic’s,
repairmen’s, landlord’s, and other similar Liens)
arising in the ordinary course of business securing payments not
yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been
established, (c) the rights of lessors and lessees under
leases, and the rights of third parties under any agreement,
executed in the ordinary course of business and listed on
Schedule 1.1(b) , (d) the rights of licensors and
licensees under licenses executed in the ordinary course of
business, (e) restrictive covenants, easements and defects,
imperfections or irregularities of title, if any, as would not
reasonably be expected to materially and adverse affect
-6-
the use or
operation of the assets affected thereby, (f) purchase money
Liens and Liens securing rental payments under capital lease
arrangements listed on Schedule 1.1(b) , (g)
preferential purchase rights and other similar arrangements listed
on Schedule 1.1(b) with respect to which consents or
waivers are obtained for this transaction or as to which the time
for asserting such rights has expired at the Closing Date without
an exercise of such rights, (h) restrictions on transfer listed on
Schedule 1.1(b) with respect to which consents or
waivers are obtained for this transaction, (i) any Liens
created pursuant to operating or similar agreements, (j) Liens
entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not secure
the payment of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and that do not
materially and adversely affect the ability of NOARK to conduct its
business, (k) Liens referenced in any agreements listed on
Schedule 1.1(b) , (l) Liens referenced in the
Disclosure Schedules, (m) Liens contained in the
Organizational Documents of NOARK, (n) Liens listed on
Schedule 1.1(b) and (o) Liens created by Buyer, or
its successors or assigns.
“
Person ” means any individual, firm,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, incorporated
or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company,
Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind.
“
Plans ” has the meaning provided such term in
Section 5.10(a) .
“
Post-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period
(or a portion thereof) that is not a Pre-Closing Tax
Period.
“
Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period
(or a portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing
Date.
“
Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 2.2 .
“
RAP ” means the regulatory accounting
principles set forth in the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed
by the FERC.
“
Reasonable Efforts ” means efforts in
accordance with reasonable commercial practice and without the
incurrence of material expense.
“
Receiving Party ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 2.3(b)(i) .
“
Representatives ” means a Person’s
directors, officers, employees, agents or advisors (including,
without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers,
financial advisors and any representatives of those
advisors).
“
Required Contract ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 7.1(b)(xi) .
“
Restricted Information ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 7.2(c) .
“
Retention Period ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 7.7(b) .
“
Seller ” has the meaning provided such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.
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“
Seller Guaranty ” means the Guaranty, dated as
of June 1, 1998, by the Seller in favor of the
Trustee.
“
Seller Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 10.2(a) .
“
Seller Marks ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 7.6 .
“
Seller Portion ” means the portion of the NOARK
Notes guaranteed by the Seller Guaranty.
“
Seller System ” means any pipeline system owned
by Seller or an Affiliate of Seller that is controlled by Seller
(other than a member of the NOARK Group).
“
Shared Frequencies ” means those frequencies
that (i) are covered by licenses issued by the United States
Federal Communications Commission that are listed on
Schedule 5.13(b) and (ii) have been historically
shared by Seller and certain members of the NOARK Group.
“
Shares ” has the meaning provided such term in
the recitals to this Agreement.
“
Signatory Member ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 5.7(c) .
“
Straddle Period ” has the meaning provided such
term in Section 8.1 .
“
Submission ” has the meaning provided such term
in Section 2.3(b)(iv) .
“
Submission Deadline ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 2.3(b)(iv) .
“
Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person,
(a) any corporation, of which a majority of the total voting
power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence
of any contingency) to vote generally in the election of directors
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly,
by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof or (b) any limited liability
company, partnership, association or other business entity, of
which a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership
interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that
Person or a combination thereof. For purposes of this definition, a
Person or Persons will be deemed to have a majority ownership
interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association
or other business entity if such Person or Persons will be
allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership,
association or other business entity gains or losses, or is or
controls the managing member or general partner of such limited
liability company, partnership, association or other business
entity.
“ Tax
Authority ” means any Governmental Authority or any
subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any
quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the
assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any
Tax.
“ Tax
Returns ” means any report, return, election,
document, estimated tax filing, declaration or other filing
provided to any Governmental Authority including any amendments
thereto.
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“
Taxes ” means all taxes, assessments, charges,
duties, fees, levies, imposts or other similar charges imposed by a
Governmental Authority, including all income, franchise, profits,
capital gains, capital stock, transfer, gross receipts, sales, use,
transfer, service, occupation, ad valorem, property, excise,
severance, windfall profits, premium, stamp, license, payroll,
employment, social security, unemployment, disability,
environmental, alternative minimum, add-on, value-added,
withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees,
levies, imposts or other similar charges of any kind, and all
estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax,
penalties and interest.
“
Third Party Claim ” has the meaning provided
such term in Section 10.3(a).
“
Transition Services Agreement ” has the meaning
provided such term in Section 9.1(f).
“
Trustee ” has the meaning provided such term in
the definition of NOARK Indenture.
“
United States ” means United States of
America.
1.2 Rules of
Construction.
(a) All article,
section, schedule and exhibit references used in this Agreement are
to articles and sections of, and schedules and exhibits to, this
Agreement unless otherwise specified. The schedules and exhibits
attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and
are incorporated herein for all purposes.
(b) If a term is
defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a
corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as
a verb). Terms defined in the singular have the corresponding
meanings in the plural, and vice versa. Unless the context of this
Agreement clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine
gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice
versa. The term “includes” or “including”
shall mean “including without limitation.” The words
“hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,”
“herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar
import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement
as a whole and not to any particular section or article in which
such words appear.
(c) With respect
to Seller, or any member of the NOARK Group, the term “
ordinary course of business ” will be deemed to refer
to the ordinary conduct of the Business in a manner consistent with
the past practices and customs of Seller, or such member of the
NOARK Group, as the case may be.
(d) The Parties
acknowledge that each Party and its attorney have reviewed this
Agreement and that any rule of construction to the effect that any
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party, or any
similar rule operating against the drafter of an agreement, shall
not be applicable to the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
(e) The captions
in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be
considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation
of any provision of this Agreement.
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(f) All references
to currency herein shall be to, and all payments required hereunder
shall be paid in, Dollars.
(g) All accounting
terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them under GAAP or RAP, as applicable.
PURCHASE AND SALE;
CLOSING
2.1 Purchase
and Sale of Shares . At the Closing, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller shall sell,
assign, transfer and convey to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and
acquire from Seller, the Shares, free and clear of any Liens other
than transfer restrictions imposed thereon by applicable securities
Laws.
2.2
Consideration . In consideration for the purchase of the
Shares contemplated by Section 2.1 , Buyer shall pay to
Seller an aggregate of $173,247,812 in cash by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller,
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.3 (the
“ Purchase Price ”). If Closing Net
Working Capital is less than $10,247,812 then the Purchase Price
shall be decreased dollar-for-dollar by such amount. If Closing Net
Working Capital is greater than $10,247,812, then the Purchase
Price shall be increased dollar-for-dollar by such
amount.
2.3 Purchase
Price Adjustment .
(a) Closing
Payment . At the Closing, Buyer shall pay to Seller the Closing
Payment in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the accounts designated by Seller. The “ Closing
Payment ” shall be the Purchase Price that would
result if the Closing Net Working Capital were the actual Net
Working Capital as of the Balance Sheet Date (as reflected in the
NOARK Financial Statements as of the Balance Sheet
Date).
(b)
Post-Closing Purchase Price Reconciliation .
(i) As soon as
reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, and in any event
within 30 days thereafter, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to
Seller a calculation of Closing Net Working Capital as of the
Closing Date (“ Closing Net Working Capital
”), together with reasonably detailed supporting information
(the “ Closing Statement ”), provided,
however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, if within such
30-day period Seller is providing accounting services under the
Transition Services Agreement, and if requested in writing by
Buyer, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer the Closing
Statement. For purposes of this Section, the Party that prepares
and delivers the Closing Statement is called the “
Delivering Party ” and the Party that receives
the Closing Statement is called the “ Receiving
Party .”
(ii) From and
after the delivery of the Closing Statement, the Buyer shall
provide the Seller and its Representatives reasonable access to the
records
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and employees
of EAPC and shall cause the employees of EAPC to cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the Seller in connection with its review
of such work papers and other documents and information relating to
the calculation of Closing Net Working Capital as of the Closing
Date as the Seller shall reasonably request and that are available
to the Buyer and EAPC or their independent public
accountants.
(iii) Within
45 days after the Receiving Party’s receipt of the
Closing Statement, the Receiving Party shall notify the Delivering
Party as to whether the Receiving Party agrees or disagrees with
the Closing Statement and, if the Receiving Party disagrees, such
notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such
disagreement (“ Objection Notice ”). If
the Receiving Party provides a notice of agreement or does not
provide a notice of disagreement within such 45-day period, then
the Receiving Party shall be deemed to have accepted the
calculations and the amounts set forth in the Closing Statement
delivered by the Delivering Party, which shall then be final,
binding and conclusive for all purposes hereunder. If any such
notice of disagreement is timely provided, then the Parties shall
each use Reasonable Efforts for a period of 30 days thereafter
to resolve any disagreements with respect to the calculations in
the Closing Statement.
(iv) If, at the
end of the 30-day resolution period, the Parties are unable to
resolve any disagreement between them with respect to the
preparation of the Closing Statement, then each Party shall deliver
simultaneously to KPMG LLP (or if such firm is unwilling or unable
to serve, another nationally recognized accounting firm mutually
agreed on by the Parties; the accounting firm ultimately chosen,
the “ Accountants ”)) the Objection
Notice and the Closing Statement (each a “
Submission ”) within five days of retaining the
Accountants (the “ Submission Deadline
”). The Parties shall instruct the Accountants to
(a) determine whether Buyer’s Submission or the
Seller’s Submission most accurately reflects the calculation
of Closing Net Working Capital (i.e., the Accountants will not have
authority to select a figure for Closing Net Working Capital other
than one of the two Submissions), and (b) to deliver its
written determination of the selected Submission (which Submission
shall serve as the definitive figures for Closing Net Working
Capital) to Seller and Buyer no later than the 20th day after the
Submission Deadline.
(v) The fees and
disbursements of the Accountants shall be paid by the party whose
Submission is not selected by the Accountants. The determination of
the Accountant shall be final, binding and conclusive for all
purposes hereunder. Such amounts as finally determined by the
Accountant shall be used to determine the Purchase
Price.
2.4 Final
Purchase Price . If, after Closing Net Working Capital has been
determined under Section 2.3(b) , the Purchase Price is
less than the Closing Payment, Seller shall, within five Business
Days after the final determination of Closing Net Working Capital
under Section 2.3(b) , promptly pay to Buyer in cash by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
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account
designated by Buyer, an amount equal to such difference. If the
Closing Payment is less than the Purchase Price, Buyer shall,
within five Business Days after the final determination of Closing
Net Working Capital pursuant to Section 2.3(b) ,
promptly pay to Seller in cash by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts designated by Seller, an amount
equal to such difference. Any payment due either Buyer or Seller
under this Section 2.4 shall accrue interest at an
annual rate equal to the Agreed Rate, which interest shall begin to
accrue on the Business Day following the day such payment was due
and end on the date such payment is made.
2.5 The
Closing . The closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take
place at the offices of Jones Day, 717 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas
77002, commencing on the third Business Day following the
satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the obligations of the
Parties set forth in Article IX or such other date as
Buyer and Seller may mutually determine (the date on which the
Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “ Closing
Date ”).
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO SELLER
Except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller hereby represents and
warrants to Buyer as follows:
3.1
Organization of Seller . Seller is a corporation, duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Oklahoma.
3.2
Authorization; Enforceability . Seller has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform all obligations to be performed by it hereunder. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized and approved by all requisite corporate action on the
part of Seller. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Seller, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity.
3.3 No
Conflict; Consents . Except as would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of Seller to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Seller do
not and shall not:
(a) violate any
Law applicable to Seller or require any filing with, consent,
approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental
Authority;
(b) violate any
Organizational Document of Seller;
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(c) require any
filing with or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any
notice to, any Person; or
(d)
(i) breach any Material Contract to which Seller is a party or
by which Seller may be bound, (ii) result in the termination
of any such Material Contract, (iii) result in the creation of
any Lien under any Material Contract or (iv) constitute an
event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in
any such breach, termination or creation of a Lien.
For purposes of
this Section 3.3 , Material Adverse Effect shall be
determined without giving effect to clause (v) of the
exclusions to the definition of Material Adverse Effect.
3.4 Ownership
of Shares .
(a) Seller owns
good and valid title to all of the Shares, and such Shares are
lawfully owned of record and beneficially by the Seller, free and
clear of any Liens or other limitation or restriction (including
any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of
such shares, subject only to applicable securities
Laws).
(b) The Shares are
not subject to any voting trust agreement or other contract,
agreement, arrangement, commitment, option, proxy, right of first
refusal or understanding, including any Contract restricting or
otherwise relating to the voting, dividend rights or disposition of
the Shares.
3.5
Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement (a) there
are no lawsuits or actions before any Governmental Authority
pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing
against Seller that would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the ability of Seller to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and (b) there are no orders or
unsatisfied judgments from any Governmental Authority binding upon
Seller that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the ability of Seller to perform its obligations under
this Agreement.
3.6
Brokers’ Fees . Except for Lehman Brothers, Inc., no
broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to
any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
based upon arrangements made by Seller or any of its Affiliates. No
Person other than Seller has any liability or obligations for any
costs or expenses related to Seller’s engagement of Lehman
Brothers, Inc.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATED TO EAPC
Except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller hereby represents and
warrants to Buyer as follows:
4.1
Organization of EAPC . EAPC is a corporation, duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Oklahoma and has the requisite corporate power and authority to
own or lease its assets and to conduct its business as it is now
being conducted.
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EAPC is duly
licensed or qualified in each jurisdiction in which the ownership
or operation of its assets or the character of its activities is
such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where
the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on EAPC or NOARK. Seller
has made available to Buyer true copies of all existing
Organizational Documents of EAPC. The minute books of EAPC, NOARK
and each NOARK Subsidiary, true and complete copies of which have
been made available to Buyer, contain true and correct records of
all meetings and other corporate or organizational actions held or
taken of its stockholders (or, if applicable, members) and board of
directors or similar governing body (including committees thereof).
No meeting of any of any such board or body or such committees has
been held for which minutes have not been prepared and are not
contained in such minute books.
4.2 No
Conflict; Consents . Except as would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of EAPC to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Seller do
not and shall not:
(a) violate any
Law applicable to EAPC or require any filing with, consent,
approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental
Authority;
(b) violate any
Organizational Document of EAPC;
(c) require any
filing with or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any
notice to, any Person; or
(d)
(i) breach any Material Contract to which EAPC is a party or
by which EAPC may be bound, (ii) result in the termination of
any such Material Contract, (iii) result in the creation of
any Lien under any Material Contract or (iv) constitute an
event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in
any such breach, termination or creation of a Lien.
For purposes of
this Section 4.2 , Material Adverse Effect shall be
determined without giving effect to clause (v) of the
exclusions to the definition of Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Shares
constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of EAPC. The Shares are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid, nonassessable and are free and clear of any Lien or
other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the
right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such shares, subject
only to applicable securities Laws) and were not issued in
violation of any preemptive or other similar right.
(b) There are no
(i) outstanding shares of capital stock, equity interests or
other securities of EAPC other than the Shares,
(ii) outstanding securities of EAPC convertible into,
exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock, equity
interests or other securities of EAPC, (iii) authorized or
outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase or
acquire from EAPC, or obligations of EAPC to issue, any
capital
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stock, equity
interests or other securities, including securities convertible
into or exchangeable for capital stock or other securities of EAPC
or (iv) authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or
other indebtedness that entitles the holders to vote (or
convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into securities that
entitle the holders to vote) with holders of shares, units or
interests of EAPC on any matter (the items in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (iv) being referred to collectively as the
“ Company Securities ”). There are no
outstanding obligations of EAPC to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any Company Securities.
(c) Except for the
Partnership Interests described in Section 4.4 and
except for any indirect interest in any NOARK Subsidiary, EAPC does
not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, equity
interests or other securities of any Person. EAPC does not have any
Subsidiaries except for NOARK and the NOARK
Subsidiaries.
4.4 Ownership
of Partnership Interests . EAPC has good title to, holds of
record and owns beneficially 75% of the partnership interests in
NOARK comprised of a 74% general partner interest and a 1% limited
partner interest (collectively, the “ Partnership
Interests ”). Except as set forth in the Partnership
Agreement, EAPC owns the Partnership Interests free and clear of
any Liens or other limitation or restriction (including any
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such
interests, subject only to applicable securities Laws). The
Partnership Interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any
preemptive or other similar right. There are no
(i) outstanding partnership interests, equity interests or
other securities of NOARK other than the Partnership Interests and
the 25% general partner interest owned by Southwestern Energy
Pipeline Company, (ii) outstanding securities of NOARK
convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for partnership
interests, equity interests or other securities of NOARK,
(iii) authorized or outstanding options, warrants or other
rights to purchase or acquire from NOARK, or obligations of NOARK
to issue, any partnership interests, equity interests or other
securities, including securities convertible into or exchangeable
for partnership interests or other securities of NOARK or
(iv) authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or
other indebtedness that entitles the holders to vote (or
convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into securities that
entitle the holders to vote) with holders of interests of NOARK on
any matter. There are no outstanding obligations of NOARK to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any partnership interests
in NOARK.
4.5
Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement (a) there
are no lawsuits or actions before any Governmental Authority
pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing
against EAPC that would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on EAPC or on the ability of Seller to perform its
obligations under this Agreement and (b) there are no orders
or unsatisfied judgments from any Governmental Authority binding
upon EAPC that would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on EAPC or on the ability of Seller to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
4.6 EAPC
Financial Statements . Schedule 4.6 sets forth true
and complete copies of the unaudited balance sheets of EAPC as of
December 31, 2004 and the Balance Sheet Date (collectively,
the “ EAPC Financial Statements ”). The
EAPC Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP and present fairly in accordance with GAAP, in all
material
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respects, the
financial position of EAPC as of such dates, except for normal
year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
4.7 EAPC
Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 , or as
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on EAPC, (a) all Tax Returns required to be filed by EAPC have
been filed, (b) all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns
have been paid, (c) there are no Liens on any of the assets of
EAPC that arose in connection with any failure to pay any Tax,
(d) there is no claim pending by any Governmental Authority in
connection with any Tax, (e) no Tax Returns are under audit or
examination by any Governmental Authority, (f) there are no
agreements or waivers currently in effect that provide for an
extension of time with respect to the filing of any Tax Return or
the assessment or collection of any Tax, (g) to the Knowledge
of Seller, no written claim has been made by any Governmental
Authority in a jurisdiction where EAPC does not file a Tax Return
that it is or may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction and
(h) EAPC is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing
arrangement.
4.8 No Other
Business . Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.8 ,
since November 6, 1997, EAPC has not engaged in any business
or other activity other than in connection with its ownership of
the Partnership Interests.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO NOARK
Except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller hereby represents and
warrants to Buyer as follows:
5.1
Organization of NOARK . NOARK is duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Arkansas and has
the requisite limited partnership power and authority to own or
lease its assets and to conduct its business as it is now being
conducted. NOARK is duly licensed or qualified in each jurisdiction
in which the ownership or operation of its assets or the character
of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or
qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on the NOARK Group, taken as a whole. Seller has made available to
Buyer true copies of all existing Organizational Documents of NOARK
and each of its Subsidiaries.
5.2 No
Conflict; Consents . Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.2 and except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the NOARK Group,
taken as a whole, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
by Seller do not and shall not:
(a) violate any
Law applicable to NOARK or any NOARK Subsidiary or require any
filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to,
any Governmental Authority;
(b) violate any
Organizational Document of NOARK or any NOARK
Subsidiary;
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(c) require any
filing with or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any
notice to, any Person; or
(d)
(i) breach any Material Contract, (ii) result in the
termination of any such Material Contract, (iii) result in the
creation of any Lien under any Material Contract, or
(iv) constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time
or both, would result in any such breach, termination or creation
of a Lien.
For purposes of
this Section 5.2 , Material Adverse Effect shall be
determined without giving effect to clause (v) of the
exclusions to the definition of Material Adverse Effect.
5.3 NOARK
Subsidiaries . NOARK does not have any Subsidiaries except for
the NOARK Subsidiaries. Each NOARK Subsidiary is duly formed,
validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability
company under the laws of Oklahoma and has the requisite limited
liability company power and authority to own or lease its assets
and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted.
Schedule 5.3 sets forth the jurisdictions in which each
NOARK Subsidiary is duly licensed or qualified. NOARK has good and
valid title to, holds of record and owns beneficially 100% of the
membership interests in each NOARK Subsidiary, free and clear of
any Liens or other limitation or restriction (including any
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such
interests, subject only to applicable securities Laws) and is the
sole member of each NOARK Subsidiary. Such membership interests are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
were not issued in violation of any preemptive or other similar
right.
5.4 NOARK
Financial Statements . Schedule 5.4 sets forth true
and complete copies of the following financial statements
(collectively, the “ NOARK Financial Statements
”): (a) the audited consolidated balance sheet of NOARK and
the NOARK Subsidiaries as of, and for the year ended,
December 31, 2004, together with the related audited
consolidated statements of income, changes in partners’
capital and cash flow for the period then ended prepared in
accordance with RAP; and (b) the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of NOARK and the NOARK Subsidiaries as of, and for
the year-to-date ended on, the Balance Sheet Date, together with
the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, changes in
partners’ capital and cash flow for the period then ended
prepared in accordance with GAAP. The NOARK Financial Statements
present fairly in accordance with RAP and GAAP, in all material
respects, the financial position and the results of operations of
NOARK and the consolidated NOARK Subsidiaries as of, and for the
periods ended on, such dates, except for normal year-end
adjustments and the absence of footnotes with respect to the NOARK
Financial Statements described in clause (b) of this
Section 5.4 .
5.5 No
Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as disclosed on
Schedule 5.5 , or as would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the NOARK Group, taken as a
whole, neither NOARK nor any NOARK Subsidiary has any Indebtedness
for Borrowed Money, obligation or liability of any kind (whether
accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to
become due) that would have been required to be reflected in,
reserved against or otherwise described on the EAPC Financial
Statements or the NOARK Financial Statements or in the notes
thereto in accordance with RAP, that (a) is not shown on the
EAPC Financial Statements or the NOARK Financial Statements or the
notes thereto or (b) in the case of any
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obligation or
liability other than Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, was not
incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Balance Sheet
Date.
5.6 Absence of
Certain Changes . Except as disclosed on
Schedule 5.6 , since the Balance Sheet Date,
(a) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect on the
NOARK Group, taken as a whole, and (b) the business of NOARK
and the NOARK Subsidiaries has been conducted, in all material
respects, only in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice.
(a)
Schedule 5.7 contains a true and complete listing of
(x) all Company Guaranties that have a face amount or secure
obligations in excess of $50,000 and (y) the following
Contracts in effect on the date of this Agreement and to which any
member of the NOARK Group is a party (each Contract that is
required to be listed on Schedule 5.7 being “
Material Contracts ”):
(i) except for any
intercompany indebtedness that will be cancelled prior to Closing,
each Contract for Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, involving an
obligation in excess of $250,000;
(ii) each natural
gas transportation and gathering services Contract that
individually involves revenues to any member of the NOARK Group in
excess of $250,000 for the year-to-date period ended on the Balance
Sheet Date, other than Contracts required to be disclosed pursuant
to clause (vi) below;
(iii) each
Contract involving a remaining commitment by any member of the
NOARK Group to undertake capital expenditures with respect to its
business in excess of $250,000;
(iv) each Contract
for lease of personal property or real property involving aggregate
payments in excess of $50,000 in any calendar year ending after the
date hereof;
(v) each
employment Contract involving aggregate payments in excess of
$50,000 in any calendar year ending after the date hereof, and each
Contract providing retention, severance or project bonus payments
in excess of $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate, in
each case that have not been paid in full as of the date of this
Agreement;
(vi) except for
Contracts of the nature described in clause (ii) above, each
Material Contract between Seller or a Seller Affiliate (other than
EAPC or NOARK) on the one hand, and any member of the NOARK Group,
on the other hand, that will survive the Closing;
(vii) each
Contract that provides for a limit on the ability of any member of
the NOARK Group to compete in any line of business or with any
Person or in any geographic area during any period of time after
the Closing;
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(viii) each
material swap, option, hedge, futures or similar instrument or
Contract involving natural gas or other commodity
trading;
(ix) each Contract
(A) that includes an indemnity or other obligation (contingent
or otherwise) of any member of the NOARK Group that has not by its
terms expired, (B) that grants a an option or preferential
purchase right to purchase any material assets, properties or
rights, (C) that creates a partnership, joint venture or other
arrangement that involves the sharing of profits or expenses (other
than the sharing of expenses in connection with natural gas
pipeline interconnection agreements) or (D) that is a natural
gas pipeline interconnection agreement; and
(x) except for
Contracts of the nature described in clauses (i) through (ix)
above, each Contract involving aggregate payments by or to any
member of the NOARK Group in excess of $250,000 in any calendar
year ending after the date hereof that cannot be terminated by any
member of the NOARK Group party thereto upon 60 days or less
notice without payment penalty in excess of $50,000.
(xi) each natural
gas transportation and gathering services Contract that
individually involves revenues in excess of $100,000 that is with a
customer that accounts for an aggregate of at least $250,000 for
the year-to-date period ended on the Balance Sheet Date, excluding
Contracts required to be disclosed pursuant to clause
(vi) above, but including in addition such other natural gas
transportation and gathering services Contracts necessary to cause
the revenues attributable to the natural gas transportation and
gathering services Contracts listed on Schedule 5.7 to
account for at least 80% of the NOARK Group’s transportation
and gathering revenue for such period.
(b) True and
complete copies of all Material Contracts and Company Guaranties
have been made available to Buyer.
(c) Except as set
forth on Schedule 5.7(c) , (i) each Material
Contract (other than such Material Contracts with respect to which
all performance and payment obligations have been fully performed
or otherwise discharged by all parties thereto prior to the
Closing), (A) is in full force and effect and
(B) represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of each
member of NOARK Group signatory thereto (a “ Signatory
Member ”) and, to the Knowledge of Seller, represents
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties
thereto, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms and
(ii) no Signatory Member nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any
other party is in material breach of any Material Contract, and no
Signatory Member has received any written or, to the Knowledge of
Seller, oral notice of termination or breach of any Material
Contract.
5.8
Intellectual Property . Except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the NOARK Group,
taken as a whole, to the Knowledge of Seller, (a) the NOARK
Group owns or has the right to use pursuant to license, sublicense,
agreement or otherwise all items of Intellectual Property required
in the operation of the business of the
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NOARK Group as
presently conducted, (b) no third party has asserted in
writing against the NOARK Group a claim that the NOARK Group is
infringing on the Intellectual Property of such third party and
(c) no third party is infringing on the Intellectual
Property
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