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INDENTURE
Between
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP.
and
LASALLE NATIONAL BANK
dated as of
December 11, 1997
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP.
Reconciliation and Tie between Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 and the Indenture between ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Natural Gas Corp. and
LaSalle National Bank dated as of December 11, 1997
Trust Indenture Indenture
Act Section Section
--------------- ---------
Section 310(a)(1).................................... 7.10
(a)(2).................................... 7.10
(a)(3).................................... N/A
(a)(4).................................... N/A
(b).................................. 7.08, 7.10, 10.02
(c)....................................... N/A
Section 311(a)....................................... 7.11
(b)....................................... 7.11
(c)....................................... N/A
Section 312(a)....................................... 2.05
(b)....................................... 10.03
(c)....................................... 10.03
Section 313(a)....................................... 7.06
(b)(1).................................... 7.06
(b)(2).................................... 7.06
(c).....................................7.06, 10.02
(d)....................................... 7.06
Section 314(a)............................ 4.02, 4.03, 7.05, 7.06, 10.02
(b)....................................... N/A
(c)(1).................................... 10.04
(c)(2).................................... 10.04
(c)(3).................................... N/A
(d)....................................... N/A
(e)....................................... 10.05
(f)....................................... N/A
Section 315(a)....................................... 7.01(b)
(b)..................................... 7.05, 10.02
(c)....................................... 7.01(a)
(d).................................... 7.01(c), 7.02
(e)....................................... 6.14
Section 316(a)(last sentence)........................ 2.09
(a)(1)(A)................................. 6.12
(a)(1)(B)................................. 6.13
(a)(2).................................... N/A
(b)....................................... 6.08
Section 317(a)(1).................................... 6.03
(a)(2).................................... 6.04
(b)....................................... 2.04
Section 318(a)....................................... 10.01
------------------
N.A. means Not Applicable
NOTE: This Reconcilation and Tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be
a part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions 1
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions 12
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 12
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction 13
ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating 13
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication 14
SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent 15
SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 15
SECTION 2.05. Securityholder Lists 16
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange 16
SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities 17
SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities 17
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities 18
SECTION 2.10. Cancelation 18
SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest 18
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers 18
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee 19
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed 19
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption 19
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption 20
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price 20
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part 21
i
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities 21
SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports 21
SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate 22
SECTION 4.04. Further Instruments and Acts 22
SECTION 4.05. Corporate Existence 22
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Liens 22
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback 23
SECTION 4.08. Exempted Indebtedness 23
SECTION 4.10. Waiver of Stay; Extension of Usury Laws 23
ARTICLE 5
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 5.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., Only on Certain Terms 24
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted 25
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default 25
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment 27
SECTION 6.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
by Trustee 28
SECTION 6.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 29
SECTION 6.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of
Securities 30
SECTION 6.06. Application of Money Collected 30
SECTION 6.07. Limitation on Suits 30
SECTION 6.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal,
Premium and Interest 31
SECTION 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 31
SECTION 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 32
SECTION 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver 32
SECTION 6.12. Control by Holders 32
SECTION 6.13. Waiver of Past Defaults 32
SECTION 6.14. Undertaking for Costs 33
ii
SECTION 6.15. Waiver of Usuary, Stay or Extension Laws 33
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee 33
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee 35
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 36
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer 36
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults 36
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders 33
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 37
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 37
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger 38
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 39
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 39
ARTICLE 8
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance 39
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance 40
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money 42
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company 42
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations 42
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement 42
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders 43
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders 44
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act 45
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers 45
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 45
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments 45
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent 46
iii
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls 46
SECTION 10.02. Notices 46
SECTION 10.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders 47
SECTION 10.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 47
SECTION 10.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 48
SECTION 10.06. When Securities Disregarded 48
SECTION 10.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
SECTION 10.08. Legal Holidays 49
SECTION 10.09. Governing Law 49
SECTION 10.10. No Recourse Against Others 49
SECTION 10.11. Successors 49
SECTION 10.12. Multiple Originals 49
SECTION 10.13. Table of Contents; Headings 49
iv
INDENTURE dated as of December 11, 1997, between ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL
GAS CORP., an Oklahoma corporation (the "Company"), and LASALLE NATIONAL
BANK, a national banking association (the "Trustee").
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for
the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 6.875% Senior
Notes Due 2007 (the "Initial Securities") and, if and when issued pursuant to
a registered exchange for Initial Securities, the Company's 6.875% Senior
Notes Due 2007 (the "Exchange Securities") and if and when issued pursuant to
a private exchange for Initial Securities, the Company's 6.875% Senior Notes
Due 2007 (the "Private Exchange Securities", together with the Exchange
Securities and the Initial Securities, the "Securities"):
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.
"Affiliate" means another Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such first Person.
For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative
meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control
with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
that Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock or by contract or
otherwise.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means (without duplication),
as of the date of determination, the remainder of: (a) the sum of (i)
discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the
Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines
(including adjustment for prices payable to the Company and its Subsidiaries
under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts) before any state, Federal or foreign
income taxes, as estimated by the Company and confirmed by a nationally
recognized firm of independent petroleum engineers in a reserve report
prepared as of the end of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year
for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of
the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from
(A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year-end, which
reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report, and (B)
estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates
of proved oil and gas reserves since such year-end due to exploration,
development or exploitation activities, in each case calculated in accordance
with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve
report), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated
discounted future net revenues from (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves
produced or disposed of since such year-end and (D) estimated oil and gas
reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and
gas reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or
other factors which would, in
1
accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each
case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices
utilized in such year-end reserve report); PROVIDED that, in the case of each
of the determinations made pursuant to clauses(A) through (D), such increases
and decreases shall be as estimated by the Company's petroleum engineers,
unless there is a Material Change as a result of such acquisitions,
dispositions or revisions, in which event the discounted future net revenues
utilized for purposes of this clause (a)(i) shall be confirmed in writing by
a nationally recognized firm of independent petroleum engineers, (ii) the
capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the
Company and its Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are
attributable, based on the Company's books and records as of a date no
earlier that the date of the Company's latest available annual or quarterly
financial statements, (iii) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than
the date of the Company's latest annual or quarterly financial statements and
(iv) the greater of (A) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date
of the Company's latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (B) the
appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of the date no earlier than
the date of the Company's latest audited financial statements, minus (b) the
sum of (i) Minority Interests, (ii) any net gas balancing liabilities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries reflected in the Company's latest audited
financial statements, (iii) to the extent included in (a)(i) above, the
discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines
(utilizing the prices utilized in the Company's year-end reserve report),
attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties
to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with
respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using
the schedules specified with respect thereto) and (iv) the discounted future
net reserves, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to
reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on
the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the
discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary
to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries
with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if
applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto). If the
Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method
to the full cost or a similar method of accounting, "Adjusted Consolidated
Net Tangible Assets" will continue to be calculated as if the Company were
still using the successful efforts method of accounting.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
"Business Day" means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of
or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any
Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such
equity.
2
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means an obligation that is required to
be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such
obligation determined in accordance with such principles; and the Stated
Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other
amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may
be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes
of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor
on the indenture securities.
"Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect
such Person against fluctuations in currency values.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
"Dollar-Denominated Production Payments" means production payment
obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with
all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set
forth in (i) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles
Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii)
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
(iii) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession and (iv) the rules and regulations of
the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma
financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to
Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in
staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting
staff of the SEC.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means the Person in whose name a Security
is registered on the Registrar's books.
"Incur" means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by
such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term "Incurrence"
when
3
used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal
of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall be deemed the
Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, at any date, any of
the following, without duplication, (i) any liability, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person (A) for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse
of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a
portion thereof, (B) evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar
instrument or (C) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease
Obligation or other obligation (whether issued or assumed) relating to the
deferred purchase price of property; (ii) all conditional sale obligations
and all obligations under any title retention agreement (even if the rights
and remedies of the seller under such agreement in the event of default are
limited to repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business; (iii) all
obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit,
banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction other than entered into in
the ordinary course of business; (iv) all indebtedness of others secured by
(or for which the holder of such indebtedness has an existing right,
contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on any asset or property
(including, without limitation, leasehold interests and any other tangible or
intangible property) of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness is
assumed by such Person or is not otherwise such Person's legal liability;
PROVIDED that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by
such Person or are otherwise not such Person's legal liability in full, the
amount of such indebtedness for the purposes of this definition shall be
limited to the lesser of the amount of such indebtedness secured by such Lien
or the fair market value of the assets of the property securing such Lien;
(v) all indebtedness of others (including all interest and dividends on any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of any other Person for the payment of which
is) guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by such Person or that is otherwise
its legal liability or which such Person has agreed to purchase or repurchase
or in respect of which such Person has agreed contingently to supply or
advance funds; and (vi) obligations in respect of Currency agreements, Oil
and Gas Hedging Contracts and Interest Rate Agreements.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to
time.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means in respect of a Person any interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or
arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest
rates.
"Issue Date" means the date on which the Securities are originally
issued.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien,
charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance
against real or personal property or a security interest of any kind
(including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any filing or agreement to file a
financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any
similar statute other than to reflect ownership by a third party or property
leased to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under a lease that is not in
the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement).
4
"Material Change" means an increase or decrease (except to the extent
resulting from changes in prices) of more than 30% during a fiscal quarter in
the estimated discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with clause
(a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the following will be excluded from the calculation
of Material Change: (a) any acquisitions during the quarter of oil and gas
reserves with respect to which the Company's estimate of the discounted
future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves has been confirmed by
independent petroleum engineers; and (b) any dispositions of Properties
during such quarter.
"Minority Interest" means any shares of stock of any class of a
Subsidiary that are not owned by the Company or a Subsidiary.
"Net Working Capital" means (a) all current assets of the company and
its Subsidiaries, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness, in each
case as set forth in consolidated financial statements of the Company
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers.
"Oil and Gas Business" means the business of exploiting, exploring for,
developing, acquiring, operating, producing, processing, gathering,
marketing, storing, selling, hedging, treating, swapping, refining and
transporting hydrocarbons and other related energy businesses.
"Oil and Gas Hedging Contract" means, with respect to any person, any
agreement or arrangement, or any combination thereof, relating to oil and gas
or other hydrocarbon prices, transportation or basis costs or differentials
or other similar financial factors, that is customary in the Oil and Gas
Business and is entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of its
business for the purpose of limiting or managing risks associated with
fluctuations in such prices, costs, differentials or similar factors.
"Oil and Gas Liens" means (a) Liens on any specific property or any
interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all
or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling,
extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration,
repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and
abandonment of ▇▇▇▇▇ located thereon (it being understood that, in the case
of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred
for "development" shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to
such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such
properties form a part or which relate to such properties or interests); (b)
Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations incurred or
guarantees of obligations incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental
to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or
5
distribution of, the products derived from such property; (c) Liens arising
under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty
agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty
trust agreements, incentive compensation programs for geologists,
geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company, master limited partnership agreements, farming
agreements, farmout agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale,
purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas or
other hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations,
orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements,
production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing
or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling
agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical
permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil
and Gas Business; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in all instances that such Liens are
limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement,
program, order or contract; (d) Liens arising in connection with Production
Payments and Reserve Sales; and (e) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities
that arise by operation of law.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to
the Company or the Trustee.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person: (i) Liens existing
on the Issue Date; (ii) Liens on property or assets of, or any shares of
stock of, or secured debt of, any corporation existing at the time such
corporation becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or at the time such
corporation is merged into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii)
Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) Liens in favor
of governmental bodies to secure progress or advance payments; (v) Liens
securing industrial revenue or pollution control bonds; (vi) Liens on Property
to secure Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of (A) financing all or any
part of the purchase price of such Property incurred prior to, at the time
of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition of such Property or (B)
financing all or any part of the cost of construction, improvement,
development or expansion of any such Property; (vii) statutory liens or
landlords', carriers', warehouseman's, mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other appropriate
provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have
been made therefor; (viii) Liens on current assets of Subsidiaries securing
Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries; (ix) Oil and Gas Liens; (x) Liens securing
Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts; (xi) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course
of business incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or the
ownership of its Property including rights of collecting banks having rights
of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or
instruments of the Company on deposit with or in the possession of such
banks; (xii) Liens incurred to secure performance of obligations with respect
to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money
bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and incurred in a
manner consistent with industry practice; (xiii) Liens for taxes, assessments
and governmental charges not yet due or the validity of which are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and
diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established
to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time; and
6
(xiv) any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals in whole or in
part of a Lien (an "existing Lien") enumerated in clauses (i) through (xiii)
above; PROVIDED that the Lien may not extent beyond (A) the Property or
Indebtedness subject to the existing Lien and (B) improvements and
construction on such Property and the Indebtedness secured by the Lien may
not exceed the Indebtedness secured at the time by the existing Lien.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof or any other entity.
"Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means
Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred
as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
"Principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus the
premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is to
become due at the relevant time.
"Principal Property" means any Property owned or leased by the Company
or any Subsidiary, the gross book value of which exceeds two percent of
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
"Production Payments and Reserve Sales" means the grant or transfer by
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to any Person of a royalty,
overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether
volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in oil and
gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the
production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such
properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such
production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the
grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests
to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other
customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor
to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil
and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to
incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the
Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of
technical services to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.
"Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person whether or not included in
the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its
Subsidiaries under GAAP.
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement with any Person
pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary leases any Principal Property
that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or the
Subsidiary to such Person, other than (1) temporary leases for a term,
including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than five years,
(2) leases between the Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries, (3)
leases of Principal Property executed
7
by the time of, or within 24 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the
completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial
operation of the Principal Property, and (4) arrangements pursuant to any
provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
"Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any security or any
installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such security as
the fixed date on which the principal of such security or such installment of
interest is due and payable.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) any Person of which more than 50%
of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard
to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by any Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person
or a combination thereof, and (ii) any partnership, joint venture or other
Person in which such Person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that Person
or a combination thereof has the power to control by contract or otherwise
the board of directors or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls
such entity.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
"Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any
other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters.
"Uniform Commercial Code" means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as
in effect from time to time.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or certificates
representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States
of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment
of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged
and which are not callable at the issuer's option.
"Volumetric Production Payments" means production payment obligations
recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all
undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
8
"Voting Stock" of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other
interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding
and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency)
to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of
which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or
one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
SECTION 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONS.
Defined in
Term Section
---- -----------
"covenant defeasance option" 8.01(b)
"Event of Default" 6.01
"legal defeasance option" 8.01(b)
"Legal Holiday" 10.08
"Paying Agent" 2.03
"Registrar" 2.03
SECTION 1.03. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT. This
Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The
following TIA terms have the following meanings:
"Commission" means the SEC;
"indenture securities" means the Securities;
"indenture security holder" means a Securityholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and any other
obligor on the indenture securities.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
SECTION 1.04. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. Unless the context otherwise
requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
9
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) "or" is not exclusive;
(4) "including" means including without limitation;
(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural
include the singular;
(6) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or
junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured
Indebtedness;
(7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount
security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be
shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in
accordance with GAAP and accretion of principal on such security shall be
deemed to be the Incurrence of Indebtedness;
(8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the
maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum
mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such
Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and
(9) all references to the date the Securities were originally issued
shall refer to the date the Initial Securities were originally issued.
ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. FORM AND DATING. Provisions relating to the Initial
Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Exchange Securities are
set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix attached hereto (the
"Appendix") which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this
Indenture. The Initial Securities and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to Appendix A
which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture.
The Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Trustee's
certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit
A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this
Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements
required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is
subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or
endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Security shall be
dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth
in the Appendix and Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture.
10
SECTION 2.02. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION. Two Officers shall sign
the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. The
Company's seal shall be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the
Securities and may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall
be valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.
The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been
authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue
upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer
and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.
Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and
the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any time may not
exceed that amount except as provided in Section 2.07.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to
the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of
such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or
agent for service of notices and demands.
SECTION 2.03. REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT. The Company shall maintain
an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent"). The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange.
The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
paying agents. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which
shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall
notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company
fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent to the knowledge of the
Trustee, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate
compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any of its
domestically incorporated Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent,
Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent
in connection with the Securities.
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SECTION 2.04. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST. Prior to each due
date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest
when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other
than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the
Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities
and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall
segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate
trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all
money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the
Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have
no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.05. SECURITYHOLDER LISTS. The Trustee shall preserve in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to
it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as
the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date
as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.
SECTION 2.06. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. The Securities shall be issued in
registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a
Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the
Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the
Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of
Section 8-401(1) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are
presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them
for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the
Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are
met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's or
co-registrar's request. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection
with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Company shall
not be required to make and the Registrar need not register transfers or
exchanges of Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of
Securities to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or
any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any
Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is
registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all
other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none
of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
12
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the
terms of this Indenture will evidence the same debt and will be entitled to
the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon
such transfer or exchange.
SECTION 2.07. REPLACEMENT SECURITIES. If a mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the
Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the
requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the
Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If
required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an
indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to
protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any
co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is
replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their
expenses in replacing a Security.
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.
SECTION 2.08. OUTSTANDING SECURITIES. Securities outstanding at any
time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those
canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancelation and those described in
this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding
because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to
them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with
this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay
all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the
Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may
be, then on and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease
to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.09. TEMPORARY SECURITIES. Until definitive Securities are
ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate
temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the
form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company
considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay,
the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive
Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.
SECTION 2.10. CANCELATION. The Company at any time may deliver
Securities to the Trustee for cancelation. The Registrar and the Paying
Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for
registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else
shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the
Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer,
exchange, payment or cancelation and
13
deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company
directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. The
Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed,
paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancelation.
SECTION 2.11. DEFAULTED INTEREST. If the Company defaults in a payment
of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus
interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful
manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are
Securityholders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix
or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each
Securityholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date
and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.12. CUSIP NUMBERS. The Company in issuing the Securities may
use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall
use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any such notice may state that no representation is
made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the
Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance
may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or
omission of such numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. NOTICES TO TRUSTEE. If the Company elects to redeem
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the
Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities
to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the
redemption will occur.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this
Section at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee
consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the
effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein.
SECTION 3.02. SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED. If fewer than
all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the
Securities to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies
with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that
the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate and
in accordance with methods generally used at the time of selection by
fiduciaries in similar circumstances. The Trustee shall make the selection
from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. The
Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities
that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities and portions of them
the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for
14
redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The
Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of
Securities to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.03. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 30 days but not more than
60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail a
notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at such Holder's registered address, with copies of such notices to
the Trustee.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the
Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed,
the identification and principal amounts of the particular Securities to
be redeemed;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant
to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities (or portion thereof)
called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(7) the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the Securities
called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy
of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the
Securities.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense. In such
event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by
this Section.
SECTION 3.04. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable
on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice.
Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the
redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the
redemption date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any
Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
15
SECTION 3.05. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE. On or before the redemption
date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or
a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money
sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all
Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of
Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to
the Trustee for cancelation.
SECTION 3.06. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART. Upon surrender of a
Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company's expense) a new Security
equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. PAYMENT OF SECURITIES. The Company shall promptly pay
the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the
manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and
interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee
or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient
to pay all principal and interest then due.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate
specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. SEC REPORTS. The Company shall file with the Trustee and
provide Securityholders, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC,
copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports
which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be
required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall continue to file with the SEC
and provide the Trustee and Securityholders with such annual reports and such
information, documents and other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to
such Sections, such information, documents and reports to be so filed and
provided at the times specified for the filing of such information, documents
and reports under such Sections. The Company also shall comply with the
other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Trustee shall have no duty to review such documents for
purposes of determining compliance with any provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.03. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Company shall deliver to the
Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an
Officers' Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the
signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have
knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default
that
16
occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the
Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).
The Company agrees to notify the Trustee of any change in its fiscal year.
SECTION 4.04. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS AND ACTS. Upon request of the
Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do
such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more
effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.05. CORPORATE EXISTENCE. Subject to the provisions of
Article 5, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and keep in full force
and effect its corporate existence, material rights (charter and statutory)
and franchises of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such material
right or franchise or the corporate existence of any of its Subsidiaries if
(a) the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company or such Subsidiary and (b) the loss thereof is not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of the Securities.
SECTION 4.06. LIMITATION ON LIENS. Subject to Article 8 (to the extent
it is applicable to the Securities) the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any Liens of any kind upon any Principal Property
or any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that owns or leases
any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or
Indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired) unless all payments due
under this Indenture and the Securities are secured on an equal and ratable
basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligation is
no longer secured by a Lien, except for Permitted Liens.
The covenant contained in this Section 4.06 will be subject to the
provision for exempted Indebtedness in Section 4.08.
SECTION 4.07. LIMITATION ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. Subject
to Article 8 (to the extent it is applicable to the Securities), neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary will enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction
with respect to any Principal Property unless either (a) the Company or such
Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture,
to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property to be leased without
equally and ratably securing the Securities or (b) the Company, within 180
days after the effective date of such transaction, applies to the voluntary
retirement of its funded debt an amount equal to the value of such
transaction, defined as the greater of the net proceeds of the sale of the
property leased in such transaction or the fair value, in the opinion of the
Board of Directors, of the leased property at the time such transaction was
entered into.
The covenant contained in this Section 4.07 will be subject to the
provision for exempted Indebtedness in Section 4.08.
17
SECTION 4.08. EXEMPTED INDEBTEDNESS. Notwithstanding the provisions
contained in Sections 4.06 and 4.07, the Company and its Subsidiaries may
issue, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by a Lien without securing
the Securities, or may enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions without
retiring funded debt, or enter into a combination of such transactions, if
the sum of the principal amount of all such Indebtedness and the aggregate
value of all such Sale and Leaseback Transactions does not at any time exceed
15% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company. For the
purposes of any calculation pursuant to this Section 4.08, the Trustee may
rely on an Officers' Certificate setting forth such calculation.
SECTION 4.09. WAIVER OF STAY; EXTENSION OF USURY LAWS. The Company
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other
law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion
of the principal of, or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein or
in the Securities, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force,
or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and
(to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly
waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will
not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the
Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE 5
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 5.01. COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to
consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless:
(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another
Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or
into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance
or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company
substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust,
shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States
of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall
expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due
and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every obligation
and covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed
or observed;
18
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
shall have happened and be continuing; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required
in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply
with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for
relating to such transaction have been complied with.
SECTION 5.02. SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED. Upon any consolidation of the
Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any
conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company
substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor
Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been
named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease,
the predecessor Person shall be released from its obligations and covenants
under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. "Event of Default", wherever used
herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of
any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security when it
becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Security at its Stated Maturity; or
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty
of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a
default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section
specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a
period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified
mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and
19
requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default" hereunder; or
(4) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a
petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of
or in respect of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary under any
applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of
the Company or a Significant Subsidiary or of any substantial part of their
respective properties, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the
affairs of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, and the continuance of
any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order
unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(5) the commencement by the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of a
voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other
case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the
consent by either the Company or a Significant Subsidiary to the entry of
a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
proceeding against either the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, or the
filing by either the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of a petition or
answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable
Federal or State law, or the consent by either the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or
taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary or of any substantial part of their respective properties, or
the making by either the Company or a Significant Subsidiary of an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by either the
Company or a Significant Subsidiary in writing of an inability to pay the
debts of either the Company or a Significant Subsidiary generally as they
become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or a
Significant Subsidiary in furtherance of any such action.
SECTION 6.02. ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT. If
an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
6.01(4) or 6.01(5)) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the
Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities may declare the principal of all the Securities to be
due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to
the Trustee if given by Holders),
20
and upon any such declaration such principal shall become immediately due and
payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or 6.01(5)
occurs, the principal of all the Securities shall automatically, and without
any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder,
become immediately due and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and
before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by
the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article 6 provided, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities, by written notice
to the Company and the Trustee, may (but are not required to) rescind and
annul such declaration and its consequences if
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay:
(A) all overdue interest on all Securities,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities
which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Securities,
and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel;
and
(2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal
of Securities which have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION 6.03. COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY
TRUSTEE. If
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for
a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any, on) any Security at the Stated Maturity thereof,
21
the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee
of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and
payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest,
and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable, interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on
any overdue interest, at the rate borne by the Securities, and, in addition
thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its
discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem
most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the
specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid
of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper
remedy.
SECTION 6.04. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM. In case of any
judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and
empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and
interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such
other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to
have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its
agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding,
and
(2) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claim and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized
and directed by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly
to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any
plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the
election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a
creditors' or other similar committee.
SECTION 6.05. TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF
SECURITIES. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the
Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the
22
Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production
thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding
instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an
express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the
payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the
Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered.
SECTION 6.06. APPLICATION OF MONEY COLLECTED. Any money collected by
the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 shall be applied in the following
order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the
distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or
interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for first,
interest on, and, second, for principal of (and premium, if any, on) the
Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has
been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for interest
and principal (and premium, if any) respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled
thereto, as their interest may appear or as a court of competent
jurisdiction shall direct.
SECTION 6.07. LIMITATION ON SUITS. No Holder of any Security shall
have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with
respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee,
or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee
of a continuing Event of Default;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name
as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
23
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities.
The foregoing limitations on the pursuit of remedies by a Securityholder
shall not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of Securities for the
enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Security on or
after the applicable due date specified in such Security. A Securityholder
may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder
or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.
SECTION 6.08. UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL,
PREMIUM AND INTEREST. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture,
the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and
unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed
in such Security and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such
Holder.
SECTION 6.09. RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. If the Trustee or
any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under
this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any
reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder,
then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding,
the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and
respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights
and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such
proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 6.10. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. Except as otherwise
provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 2.07, no right or
remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is
intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and
remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition
to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing
at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right
or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion
or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 6.11. DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER. No delay or omission of
the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or
remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or
remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence
therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the
Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as
may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 6.12. CONTROL BY HOLDERS. The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy
24
available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the
Trustee or its counsel determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of
other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability;
provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper
by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking
any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification
satisfactory to it by such requesting Holders in its sole discretion against
all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.13. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS. The Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may on behalf of
the Holders of all the Securities waive any past default hereunder and its
consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Security, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 9
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event
of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent
or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 6.14. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS. In any suit for the enforcement
of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the
Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court
may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the
costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant,
having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made
by such party litigant.
SECTION 6.15. WAIVER OF USURY, STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS. The Company
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of
any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
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ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person
would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such
Person's own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements
of this Indenture. However, the Trustee or its counsel shall examine
the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful
misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Trust Officer or by a Trust Officer upon
advice of counsel unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 6.12.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
26
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any
of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe
that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall
be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of
the TIA.
SECTION 7.02. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
(a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee
need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance
on any such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its
rights or powers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of
counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the
Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it
hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of
such counsel.
(f) Except with respect to Section 4.01, the Trustee shall have no
duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer's covenants in
Article 4. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any Default or Event of Default except (i) any Event of Default
occurring pursuant to Sections 6.01(1), 6.01(2) and 4.01 (excluding the
nonpayment of special interest relating to a Registration Default), or
(ii) any Default or Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have
received written notification or obtained actual knowledge.
27
SECTION 7.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of
Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the
same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent,
Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights.
However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.04. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the
Company's use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be
responsible for any statement of the Company in the Indenture or in any
document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the
Securities other than the Trustee's certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS. If a Default occurs and is
continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each
Securityholder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except
in the case of a Default in payment of principal of or interest on any
Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions
of such Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long
as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that
withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders.
SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS. As promptly as
practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of
this Indenture, and in any event prior to June 15 in each year, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of May 15 that
complies with TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA
Section 313(b).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the
Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee
whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any
delisting thereof.
SECTION 7.07. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY. The Company shall pay to the
Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as
Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and any other function. The Trustee's
compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of
an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs
of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such
expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee's agents, counsel, accountants and
experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss,
liability or expense (including attorneys' fees) incurred by it in connection
with the administration of this Indenture and any related document and the
performance of its duties thereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the
Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its
obligations hereunder. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company
shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not
28
reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense
incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee's own wilful misconduct, gross
negligence or bad faith.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee
shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay
principal of and interest on particular Securities.
The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive
the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the
occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or (5) with respect to
the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any applicable bankruptcy law.
SECTION 7.08. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE. The Trustee may resign at any
time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee
with 60 days advance notice and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company
shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or
its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not
reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being
referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly
appoint a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and
the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the
Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of
its succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly
transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject
to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders
of 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
29
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section,
the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER. If the Trustee consolidates
with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its
corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion
or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this
Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of
the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall
have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this
Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION. The Trustee shall at all
times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with
TIA Section 310(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities
of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set
forth in TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 7.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY. Upon
this Indenture (or any amendment or supplement hereto) being qualified under
the TIA, the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has
resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent
indicated.
ARTICLE 8
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01. DISCHARGE OF LIABILITY ON SECURITIES; DEFEASANCE. (a)
When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities
(other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancelation or
(ii) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable, whether at
maturity or as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to
Article 3 hereof and the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds
sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Securities,
including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than
Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the
Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect.
The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of
30
this Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the
Company.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time
may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture ("legal defeasance option") or (ii) its obligations under
Sections 4.02, 4.06, 4.07 and 4.08, and the operation of Sections 6.01(3),
6.01(4) and 6.01(5) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(4) and 6.01(5),
with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) ("covenant defeasance
option"). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option
notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the
Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect
thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of
the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default
specified in Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4) and 6.01(5) (but, in the case of
Sections 6.01(4) and 6.01(5), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries).
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of
the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those
obligations that the Company terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08
and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in
full. Thereafter, the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and
8.05 shall survive.
SECTION 8.02. CONDITIONS TO DEFEASANCE. The Company may exercise its
legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money
or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of and interest
on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their
opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without
reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any
deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in
such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due
on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 123-day
period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(4) or 6.01(5) with respect to
the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
31
(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other
agreement binding on the Company and is not prohibited by Article 10;
(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or
is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940;
(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been
a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the
effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that,
the Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal
income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to
Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income
tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject
to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not
occurred; and
(8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the
defeasance and discharge of the Securities as contemplated by this
Article 8 have been complied with.
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory
to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance
with Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY. The Trustee shall hold in
trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this
Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.
SECTION 8.04. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY. The Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the
Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for
the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years,
and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors.
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SECTION 8.05. INDEMNITY FOR GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Company shall
pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge
imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the
principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. REINSTATEMENT. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable
to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the
Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any
Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall
be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or
Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS. The Company and the Trustee
may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of
any Securityholder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Article 5;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
place of certificated Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of
Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated
Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) to add guarantees with respect to the Securities, or to secure the
Securities;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
Company;
(6) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with
qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the
TIA; or
(7) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of
any Securityholder.
33
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice briefly
describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all
Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the
validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS. The Company and the Trustee may
amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder
but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Securities then outstanding (including consents
obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Securities).
However, without the consent of each Securityholder affected thereby, an
amendment may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an
amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on
any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any
Security;
(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Security or
change the time at which any Security may be redeemed in accordance with
Article 3;
(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the
Security;
(6) make any change in Section 6.08 or 6.13 or the second sentence of
this Section;
(7) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for enforcement
of any payment on or with respect to such Holder's Securities; or
(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of interest on
and principal of such Holder's Securities on or after the due dates
therefor.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it
shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice briefly
describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all
Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the
validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT. Every amendment to
this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
34
SECTION 9.04. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS AND WAIVERS. A consent
to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder
and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation
of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such
Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such
Holder's Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the
notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes
effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind
every Securityholder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the
execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent
or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken
pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding
the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders
at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those
Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent
previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons
continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be
valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
SECTION 9.05. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES. If an amendment
changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the
Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the
Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the
Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make
the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the
validity of such amendment.
SECTION 9.06. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS. The Trustee shall sign any
amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not
adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the
Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such
amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture.
SECTION 9.07. PAYMENT FOR CONSENT. Neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be
paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any
Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of
the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such
consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or
agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating
to such consent, waiver or agreement.
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ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.01. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS. If any provision of this
Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.
SECTION 10.02. NOTICES. Any notice or communication shall be in
writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as
follows:
if to the Company:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Natural Gas Corp.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention of Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ Mid-America Tower
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
if to the Trustee:
LaSalle National Bank
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
36
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed
to the Securityholder at the Securityholder's address as it appears on the
registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so
mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner
provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
SECTION 10.03. COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall
have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
SECTION 10.04. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or
refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 10.05. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION. Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or
condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
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SECTION 10.06. WHEN SECURITIES DISREGARDED. In determining whether the
Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any
direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not
to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or
consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so
disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at
the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 10.07. RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable
rules for their functions.
SECTION 10.08. LEGAL HOLIDAYS. A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in
the State of Illinois. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall
be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no
interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date
is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 10.09. GOVERNING LAW. This Indenture and the Securities shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of
law to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction
would be required thereby.
SECTION 10.10. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer,
employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability
for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or
for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or
their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder shall waive and
release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.
SECTION 10.11. SUCCESSORS. All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of
the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 10.12. MULTIPLE ORIGINALS. The parties may sign any number of
copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of
them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to
prove this Indenture.
SECTION 10.13. TABLE OF CONTENTS; HEADINGS. The table of contents,
cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
38
reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed as of the date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP.,
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Assistant Vice President
39
APPENDIX A
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL SECURITIES,
PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE SECURITIES
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated below:
"Definitive Security" means a certificated Initial Security bearing the
restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.3(d) and which is held by
an IAI in accordance with Section 2.1(c).
"Depository" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their
respective successors.
"Exchange Securities" means the 6.875% Senior Notes Due 2007 to be
issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with a Registered Exchange
Offer pursuant to the Registration Agreement.
"IAI" means an institutional "accredited investor" as described in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
"Initial Purchasers" means Salomon Brothers Inc, Chase Securities Inc.,
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, NationsBanc ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities, Inc.
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Inc.
"Initial Securities" means the 6.875% Senior Notes Due 2007, issued
under this Indenture on or about the date hereof.
"Private Exchange" means the offer by the Company, pursuant to the
Registration Agreement, to the Initial Purchasers to issue and deliver to
each Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Securities held by the
Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate
principal amount of Private Exchange Securities.
"Private Exchange Securities" means the 6.875% Senior Notes Due 2007 to
be issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with a Private Exchange
pursuant to the Registration Agreement.
"Purchase Agreement" means the Purchase Agreement dated December 4,
1997, between the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Registered Exchange Offer" means the offer by the Company, pursuant to
the Registration Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Securities, to
issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, a
like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities registered under the
Securities Act.
"Registration Agreement" means the Registration Agreement dated as of
December 11, 1997, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
"Securities" means the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and
the Private Exchange Securities, treated as a single class.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
"Securities Custodian" means the custodian with respect to a Global
Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor person thereto
and shall initially be the Trustee.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the registration statement issued
by the Company, in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Securities
or Private Exchange Securities, pursuant to the Registration Agreement.
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means Definitive Securities and
Securities that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section
2.3(d) hereto.
1.2 OTHER DEFINITIONS
DEFINED IN
TERM SECTION:
---- ----------
"Agent Members"................................. 2.1(b)
"Global Security"............................... 2.1(a)
"Regulation S".................................. 2.1(a)
"Rule 144A"..................................... 2.1(a)
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2. THE SECURITIES.
2.1 FORM AND DATING.
The Initial Securities are being offered and sold by the Company
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The Initial Securities will be resold,
initially only to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act
("Rule 144A"), and in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act
("Regulation S"). Initial Securities may thereafter be transferred to, among
others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and IAIs.
(a) GLOBAL SECURITIES. Initial Securities shall be issued initially
in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully
registered form without interest coupons with the global securities legend
and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto (each, a
"Global Security"), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers
of the Initial Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, at its
Chicago, Illinois office, as custodian for the Depository (or with such
other custodian as the Depository may direct), and registered in the name
of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the
Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The
aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time
be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the
Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(b) BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a
Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with
this Section 2.1(b) and pursuant to an order from the Company, authenticate
and deliver initially one or more Global Securities that (a) shall be
registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Global
Securities or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by
the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository's
instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security
held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the Securities
Custodian or under such Global Security, and the Depository may be treated
by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as
the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company,
the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect
to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members,
the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the
exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global
Security.
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(c) CERTIFICATED SECURITIES. Except as provided in Section 2.3 or
2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Securities.
2.2 AUTHENTICATION. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1)
Initial Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount of
$200,000,000 and (2) Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities for
issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
respectively, as directed pursuant to the Registration Agreement, for a like
principal amount of Initial Securities, in each case upon a written order of
the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant
Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify
the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the
original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and whether the
Securities are to be Initial Securities, Exchange Securities or Private
Exchange Securities. The aggregate principal amount of Securities
outstanding at any time may not exceed $200,000,000 except as provided in
Section 2.07 of this Indenture.
2.3 TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
(a) TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF DEFINITIVE SECURITIES. When Definitive
Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Securities; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Securities for an equal principal
amount of Definitive Securities of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar or co-registrar shall register the transfer or make the
exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are
met; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Definitive Securities surrendered for
transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar
or co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing; and
(ii) are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b)
or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the
following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Securities are being delivered to the
Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder,
without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect
(in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security); or
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(B) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred to the
Company, a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the
reverse of the Security); or
(C) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred (w)
pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with
Rule 144; or (x) in reliance on another exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification
to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security)
and (ii) if the Company or Registrar so requests, an opinion of
counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to them as to the
compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in
Section 2.3(d)(i).
(b) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF A DEFINITIVE SECURITY FOR A BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN A GLOBAL SECURITY. A Definitive Security may not be exchanged
for a beneficial interest in a Global Security except upon satisfaction of
the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a
Definitive Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments
of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the
Security, that such Definitive Security is being transferred (A) to a
QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) to an IAI that has furnished to
the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and
agreements (the form of which letter can be obtained from the Trustee)
or (C) outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the
meaning of Regulation S and in compliance with Rule 904 under the
Securities Act; and
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct
the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records
with respect to such Global Security to reflect an increase in the
aggregate principal amount of the Securities represented by the Global
Security, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary
account to be credited with such increase, then the Trustee shall cancel
such Definitive Security and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to
cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing
between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate
principal amount of Securities represented by the Global Security to be
increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Security to
be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account
of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the
Global Security equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Security so
canceled. If no Global Securities are then outstanding, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company
in the form of an Officers' Certificate, a new Global Security in the
appropriate principal amount.
(c) TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL SECURITIES. (i) The transfer and
exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be
effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including
applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the
procedures of the
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Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global
Security shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the
Depositary's procedures containing information regarding the participant
account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in the
Global Security and such account shall be credited in accordance with such
instructions with a beneficial interest in the Global Security and the
account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal
to the beneficial interest in the Global Security being transferred. In the
case of a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Security to an IAI,
the transferee must furnish a signed letter to the Trustee containing certain
representations and agreements (the form of which letter can be obtained from
the Trustee).
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest
in one Global Security to a beneficial interest in another Global Security,
the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an
increase in the principal amount of the Global Security to which such
interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount
of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on
its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the
principal amount of Global Security from which such interest is being
transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix (other
than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the
Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another
nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a
successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
(iv) In the event that a Global Security or any portion thereof is
exchanged for Securities in definitive registered form pursuant to Section
2.4 or Section 2.09 of the Indenture, prior to the consummation of a
Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration
Statement with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged
only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent
with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification
requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Securities intended
to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as
the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be
adopted by the Company.
(d) LEGEND.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and
(iv), each Security certificate evidencing the Global Securities and the
Definitive Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or
in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following
form:
"THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY
PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
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COMPANY THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED (X) PRIOR TO THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE
HEREOF (OR A PREDECESSOR SECURITY HERETO) OR (Y) BY ANY HOLDER THAT
WAS AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME DURING THE THREE MONTHS
PRECEDING THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER, IN EITHER CASE OTHER THAN (1) TO
THE COMPANY, (2) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE
PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A
PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A PURCHASING FOR
ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER
TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE RESALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED
BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF
THIS SECURITY), (3) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED
BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF
THIS SECURITY), (4) TO AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON
THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY) THAT IS
ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR
DISTRIBUTION, AND A LETTER WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY OR
THE TRUSTEE IS DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE COMPANY AND THE
TRUSTEE, (5) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF APPLICABLE) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (6) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR HOLDING THIS SECURITY AGREES IT WILL
FURNISH TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER
INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT ANY
TRANSFER BY IT OF THIS SECURITY COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY,
REPRESENTS AND AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT IS (1) A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A OR (2)
AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE
501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THAT IT IS
HOLDING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
OR (3) A
A-7
NON-U.S. PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF (OR
AN ACCOUNT SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (o)(2) OF
RULE 902 UNDER) REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT."
Each Definitive Security will also bear the following additional
legend:
"IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION
AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE
TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS."
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security
(including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global
Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act:
(A) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a
Definitive Security, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to
exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a Definitive Security
that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any
restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and
(B) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is
represented by a Global Security, the Registrar shall permit the
Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for
a Definitive Security that does not bear the legend set forth above
and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer
Restricted Security, in either case,
if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for
such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be
in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Security).
(iii) After a transfer of any Initial Securities or Private Exchange
Securities during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration
Statement with respect to such Initial Securities or Private Exchange
Securities, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to legends on
such Initial Security or such Private Exchange Security will cease to
apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Security or such
Private Exchange Security issued to certain Holders be issued in global
form will cease to apply, and a certificated or global Initial Security
or Private Exchange Security without legends will be available to the
transferee of the Holder of such Initial Securities or Private Exchange
Securities upon exchange of such transferring Holder's certificated Initial
Security or Private Exchange Security or directions to transfer such
Holder's interest in the Global Security, as applicable.
A-8
(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect
to the Initial Securities pursuant to which Holders of such Initial
Securities are offered Exchange Securities in exchange for their Initial
Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that
Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will
cease to apply and certificated Initial Securities with the restricted
securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto will be available to
Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial
Securities, and Exchange Securities in certificated or global form will
be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such
Registered Exchange Offer.
(v) Upon the consummation of a Private Exchange with respect to the
Initial Securities pursuant to which Holders of such Initial Securities are
offered Private Exchange Securities in exchange for their Initial
Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that
Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will
still apply, and Private Exchange Securities in global form with the
Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto will be
available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Private
Exchange.
(vi) After the expiration of the "40-day restricted period" (within
the meaning of Rule 903(c)(3) of Regulation S), upon a sale or transfer of
any Initial Security acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements
pertaining to legends on such Initial Security will cease to apply, the
requirements requiring any such Initial Security be issued in global form
will cease to apply, and an Initial Security in certificated or global
form without the Restricted Security Legend will be available to the
transferee of the Holder of such Initial Securities.
(e) CANCELATION OR ADJUSTMENT OF GLOBAL SECURITY. At such time as
all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for
certificated or Definitive Securities, redeemed, repurchased or canceled,
such Global Security shall be returned to the Depository for cancelation or
retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancelation,
if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for certificated
or Definitive Securities, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal
amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and
an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is
then the Securities Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such
Global Security, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such
reduction.
(f) OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES OF
SECURITIES.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate certificated Securities,
Definitive Securities and Global Securities at the Registrar's or
co-registrar's request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any transfer tax, assessments,
A-9
or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other
than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge
payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 9.05).
(iii) The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register
the transfer of or exchange of (a) any certificated or Definitive Security
selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of this
Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any certificated or Definitive
Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security for a period beginning
15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase
or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date.
(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of
any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or
any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is
registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of
receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for
all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue,
and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or
any co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(v) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to
the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities
surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(g) NO OBLIGATION OF THE TRUSTEE.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any
beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in
the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records
of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof,
with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect
to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other
Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of
redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such
Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders
and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given
or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall
be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The
rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised
only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures
of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its
members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor,
determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer
imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any
transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers
between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners
in any Global Security) other
A-10
than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or
evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly
required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to
determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements
hereof.
2.4 CERTIFICATED SECURITIES.
(a) A Global Security deposited with the Depository or with the
Trustee as custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be
transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated
Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of
such Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if such
transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such
Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a "clearing
agency" registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (ii) an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole
discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the
issuance of certificated Securities under this Indenture.
(b) Any Global Security that is transferable to the beneficial
owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the
Depository to the Trustee to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time
in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon
such transfer of each portion of such Global Security, an equal aggregate
principal amount of certificated Initial Securities of authorized
denominations. Any portion of a Global Security transferred pursuant to this
Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations
of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and registered in such names as
the Depository shall direct. Any certificated Initial Security delivered in
exchange for an interest in the Global Security shall, except as otherwise
provided by Section 2.3(d), bear the restricted securities legend set forth
in Exhibit 1 hereto.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the registered
Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through
Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under
this Indenture or the Securities.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of either of the events
specified in Section 2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company will promptly make
available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Securities in
definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.
A-11
EXHIBIT 1 to APPENDIX A
[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]
[Global Securities Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), NEW YORK, NEW
YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO.
OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC
(AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL
INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL
BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[Restricted Securities Legend]
"THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS
SECURITY, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE
RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED (X) PRIOR TO THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY
OF THE ISSUANCE HEREOF (OR A PREDECESSOR SECURITY HERETO) OR (Y) BY ANY HOLDER
THAT WAS AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME DURING THE THREE MONTHS
PRECEDING THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER, IN EITHER CASE OTHER THAN (1) TO THE
COMPANY, (2) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE
144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER
REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF
RULE 144A PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE RESALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX
CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF
THIS SECURITY), (3) IN AN OFFSHORE
Ex-1-1
TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS
INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY), (4) TO AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF
TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY) THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, AND A LETTER WHICH MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUSTEE IS DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE
COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE, (5) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF APPLICABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT, OR (6) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
HOLDING THIS SECURITY AGREES IT WILL FURNISH TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO
CONFIRM THAT ANY TRANSFER BY IT OF THIS SECURITY COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, REPRESENTS AND
AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT IS (1) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A OR (2) AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT AND THAT IT IS HOLDING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR (3) A NON-U.S. PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
WITHIN THE MEANING OF (OR AN ACCOUNT SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH
(o)(2) OF RULE 902 UNDER) REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT."
[IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND
TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT
MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.]
Ex-1-2
No. $[200,000,000]
CUSIP No.:
ISIN:
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2007
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP., an Oklahoma corporation, promises to
pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth in the
Schedule of Increases and Decreases in Global Security on December 1, 2007.
Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1.
Record Dates: May 15 and November 15.
Ex-1-3
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.
Dated: December , 1997
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP.,
By:
-------------------------------
President
----------------------------------
Secretary
Dated: December , 1997
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee, certifies that this
is one of the Securities referred
to in the Indenture.
by
-----------------------------
Authorized Signatory
Ex-1-4
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]
6.875% Senior Note Due 2007
1. Interest
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP., an Oklahoma corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on
the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above;
provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined hereunder in
accordance with the Registration Agreement) occurs, additional interest will
accrue on this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum from and including the
date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the
date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. The Company will pay
interest semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Interest on the
Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 11, 1997. Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the
Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
(b) Special Interest. The holder of this Security is entitled to the
benefits of a Registration Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1997, among the
Company and the Purchasers named therein (the "Registration Agreement").
Capitalized terms used in this paragraph (b) but not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Registration Agreement. In the event that
(i) by the 150th day following the Issue Date, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is not filed with the Commission, (ii) by the 180th day following
the Issue Date, neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective nor (if the Exchange Offer is not permitted as described above) the
Shelf Registration Statement is filed with the Commission, or (iii) by the
210th day following the Issue Date, the Exchange Offer is not consummated or
the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective with respect
thereto (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a
"Registration Default"), interest will accrue on the applicable Securities (in
addition to stated interest on such Securities) which, except as provided
below, shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for such Registration Default
from and including the next day following each such Registration Default. In
each case such additional interest (the "Special Interest") will be payable in
cash semiannually in arrears each June 1 and December 1, at a rate per annum
equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of such Securities for each such
Registration Default. The aggregate amount of Special Interest payable
pursuant to the above provisions will in no event exceed 0.25% per annum of
the principal amount of such Securities which, except as provided below, shall
be the sole and exclusive remedy for such Registration Default. Upon (a) the
filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement after the 150-day period
described in clause (i) above, (b) the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or the filing of the Shelf Registration
Ex-1-5
Statement after the 180-day period described in clause (ii) above or (c) the
consummation of the Exchange Offer for such Securities or the effectiveness of
a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, after the 210-day period
described in clause (iii) above, the Special Interest payable on such
Securities as a result of the applicable Registration Default will cease to
accrue. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the curing of a Registration
Default by the means described in clause (b) above shall constitute a cure of
the Registration Defaults described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, and the
curing of a Registration Default by the means described in clause (c) above
shall constitute a cure of the Registration Defaults described in clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) above. The Company will have no other liabilities for monetary
damages with respect to the above; provided, however, that in the event the
Company breaches, fails to comply with or violates certain provisions of the
Registration Agreement, the holders shall be entitled to, and the Company
shall not oppose the granting of, equitable relief, including injunction and
specific performance.
In the event that a Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective
pursuant to the paragraph preceding the immediately preceding paragraph, if
the Company fails to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective
for the period required by the Registration Agreement (except as specifically
permitted therein), then from such time as the Shelf Registration Statement is
no longer effective until the earlier of (i) the date that the Shelf
Registration Statement is again deemed effective and (ii) the date that is the
earliest of (x) the second anniversary of the Issue Date (or until the first
anniversary of the effective date if the Shelf Registration Statement is filed
at the request of the Initial Purchasers), (y) the time when the Securities
registered thereunder can be sold by non-affiliates pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act without any limitation under classes (c), (e), (f) and (h)
of Rule 144, or (z) the date as of which all such Securities are sold pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement, Special Interest shall accrue at a rate
per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Securities which,
except as provided below, shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for such
Registration Default and shall be payable in cash semiannually in arrears each
June 1 and December 1. The Company will have no other liabilities for
monetary damages with respect to the above; provided, however, that in the
event the Company breaches, fails to comply with or violates certain
provisions of the Registration Agreement, the holders shall be entitled to,
and the Company shall not oppose the granting of, equitable relief, including
injunction and specific performance.
2. Method of Payment
The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the
close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding the interest
payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or
before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a
Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal
and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is
legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of
the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium
and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will
make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal,
premium
Ex-1-6
and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each
Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security
will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee
with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire
transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such
effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding
the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may
accept in its discretion).
3. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, LaSalle National Bank ("Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent
and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar
or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically
incorporated Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or
co-registrar.
4. Indenture
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of December
11, 1997 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the
Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act"). Terms
defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.
The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited
to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount (subject to Section 2.07 of the
Indenture).
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any
Liens of any kind upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or
indebtedness of any Subsidiary that owns or leases any Principal Property
(whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness are now
owned or hereafter acquired) unless all payments due under the Indenture and
the Securities are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations
so secured until such time as such obligation is no longer secured by a Lien,
except for Permitted Liens.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will enter into any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless either (a)
the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions
of the Indenture, to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property to
be leased without equally and ratably securing the Securities or (b) the
Company, within 180 days after the effective date of such transaction, applies
to the voluntary retirement of its funded debt an amount equal to the value of
such transaction, defined as the greater of the net proceeds of the sale of
the
Ex-1-7
property leased in such transaction or the fair value, in the opinion of the
Board of Directors, of the leased property at the time such transaction was
entered into.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on Liens and Sale and Leaseback
Transaction, the Company and its Subsidiaries may issue, assume, or guarantee
Indebtedness secured by a Lien without securing the Securities, or may enter
into Sale and Leaseback Transactions without retiring funded debt, or enter
into a combination of such transactions, if the sum of the principal amount of
all such Indebtedness and the aggregate value of all such Sale and Leaseback
Transactions does not at any time exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets of the Company.
5. Optional Redemption
The Securities will be redeemable at any time, at the option of the
Company, in whole or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 and not
more than 60 days' notice mailed to each Holder to be redeemed at the Holder's
address appearing in the books of the Registrar, on any date prior to maturity
(the "Redemption Date") at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an
interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date) plus a
Make-Whole Premium, if any (the "Redemption Price"). In no event will the
Redemption Price ever be less than 100% of the principal amount of the
Securities plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date.
The amount of the Make-Whole Premium with respect to any Security (or
portion thereof) to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the sum of the present values, calculated as of the Redemption
Date, of:
(a) each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would
have been payable on the Security (or portion thereof) being redeemed
on each interest payment date occurring after the Redemption Date
(excluding any accrued interest for the period prior to the Redemption
Date); and
(b) The principal amount that, but for such redemption, would
have been payable at the final maturity of the Security (or portion
thereof) being redeemed;
over
(2) the principal amount of the Security (or portion thereof) being
redeemed.
The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in clause
(i) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of
financial analysis. Such present values will be calculated by discounting the
amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such
payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the Redemption Date
at a
Ex-1-8
discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield (as defined below) plus 20 basis
points. Copies of all such calculations and their resulting values will be
delivered to the Trustee (upon request to the Company) by the Company and shall
be attached to an Officers' Certificate.
The Make-Whole Premium will be calculated by an independent investment
banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company; provided,
that if the Company fails to make such appointment at least 45 business days
prior to the Redemption Date, or if the institution so appointed is unwilling
or unable to make such calculation, such calculation will be made by Salomon
Brothers Inc or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to make such calculation,
by an independent investment banking institution of national standing
appointed by the Trustee (in any such case, an "Independent Investment
Banker"). Any fees incurred in connection with an Independent Investment
Banker shall be paid by the Company.
For purposes of determining the Make-Whole Premium, "Treasury Yield"
means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to
maturity of United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity that
corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Securities, calculated to
the nearest 1/12th of a year (the "Remaining Term"). The Treasury Yield will
be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the
applicable Redemption Date.
The weekly average yields of United States Treasury Notes will be
determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "H.15(519) Selected
Interest Rates" or any successor release (the "H.15 Statistical Release"). If
the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United
States Treasury Notes having a constant maturity that is the same as the
Remaining Term, then the Treasury Yield will be equal to such weekly average
yield. In all other cases, the Treasury Yield will be calculated by
interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on
the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and
greater than the Remaining Term and the United States Treasury Notes that have
a constant maturity closest to and less than the Remaining Term (in each case
as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release). Any weekly average yields so
calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with
any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average
yields for United States Treasury Notes are not available in the H.15
Statistical Release or otherwise, then the Treasury Yield will be calculated
by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the Independent Investment
Banker.
In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Securities for
redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such
other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and
appropriate, although no Security of $1,000 in original principal amount or
less shall be redeemed in part. If any Security is to be redeemed in part
only, the notice of redemption relating to such Security shall state the
portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Security in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder thereof upon cancelation of the original Security.
Ex-1-9
6. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at
his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be
redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient
to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or
portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the
Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are
satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities
(or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.
8. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.
9. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company
at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person.
After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the
Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
10. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some
or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the
Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the
payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity,
as the case may be.
Ex-1-10
11. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the
Securities and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be
waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth
in the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and
the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity,
omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the
Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
place of certificated Securities, or to add guarantees with respect to the
Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply with any
request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act,
or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Securityholder.
12. Defaults and Remedies
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include a (i) default in the
payment of any interest upon any of the Securities for 30 days or more after
such payment is due; (ii) default in the payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, on any of the Securities when due; (iii) default by the
Company in the performance, or breach, of any of its other covenants in the
Indenture which will not have been remedied by the end of a period of 60 days
after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the
Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities; and (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all
the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the
Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such
Events of Default.
Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as
provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. Subject
to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines or its
counsel advises it that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
Ex-1-11
13. Trustee Dealings with the Company
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the
Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
14. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or
the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security,
each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
15. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.
16. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an
assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).
17. Holders' Compliance with Registration Agreement.
Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees
to the provisions of the Registration Agreement, including, without
limitation, the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and
the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.
18. Governing Law
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS
OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
Ex-1-12
19. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation
is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities
or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it
the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Natural Gas Corp.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention of Corporate Secretary
Ex-1-13
______________________________________________________________________________
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to____________________________
__________(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)(Insert
assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.) and irrevocably appoint _______agent to
transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.
______________________________________________________________________________
Date: Your Signature:
----------- -----------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
Ex-1-14
In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this
certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in
Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original
issuance of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such
Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the
undersigned confirms that such Securities are being transferred in accordance
with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) -- to the Company; or
(2) -- pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933; or
(3) -- inside the United States to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that
purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified
institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and
in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(4) -- inside the United States to an institutional "accredited investor"
(as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D
under the Securities Act of 1933) that, prior to such transfer,
furnishes to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain
representations and agreements (the form of which letter can be
obtained from the Trustee); or
(5) -- outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the
meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance
with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or
(6) -- pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided
by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any
of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person
other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4)
or (5) is checked, the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such
transfer of the Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other
information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such
transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not
subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such
as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.
----------------------------------
Signature
Ex-1-15
Signature Guarantee:
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
(Signature must be guaranteed) Signature
---------------------------------------------------------------
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this
Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises
sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act
of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule
144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the
Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has
determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the
transferor is relying upon the undersigned's foregoing representations in
order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated:--------------------- --------------------------------------
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive
officer
Ex-1-16
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The initial principal amount of this Global Security is $[ ].
The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Date of Amount of decrease in Amount of increase in Principal amount of this Signature of authorized
Exchange Principal Amount of this Principal Amount of this Global Security following officer of Trustee or
Global Security Global Security such decrease or increase) Securities Custodian
-------- ------------------------ ------------------------ -------------------------- -----------------------
Ex-1-17
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY
No.: $
CUSIP No.:
ISIN No.:
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2007
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP., an Oklahoma corporation, promises to pay
to , or registered assigns, the principal sum
of Dollars on December 1, 2007.
Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1.
Record Dates: May 15 and November 15.
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this
Security.
Dated: , 1997
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP.,
By:
------------------------------
President
[CORPORATE SEAL] ------------------------------
Secretary
Dated: , 1997
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
LASALLE NATIONAL BANK,
as Trustee, certifies
that this is one of
the Securities referred
to in the Indenture.
by
------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A-2
FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY
OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY
6.875% Note Due 2007
1. Interest
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ NATURAL GAS CORP., an Oklahoma corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on
the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above
[; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on
this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum from and including the date on
which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on
which all Registration Defaults have been cured].(1) The Company will pay
interest semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Interest on the
Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 11, 1997. Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the
Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
2. Method of Payment
The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest)
to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of
business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date
even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent
to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest
in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Securities
(including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof
or, if no U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the
United States is designated by any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent
at least 30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such other
date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion), by mailing a check to the
registered address of such holder.
-------------------------
(1) Insert if at the time of issuance of the Exchange Security or Private
Exchange Security (as the case may be) neither the Registered Exchange
Offer has been consummated nor a Shelf Registration Statement has been
declared effective in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
A-3
3. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association
corporation ("Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company
may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without
notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
4. Indenture
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
December 11, 1997 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15
U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the
"Act"). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to
all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act
for a statement of those terms.
The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited
to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount (subject to Section 2.07 of the
Indenture).
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any
Liens of any kind upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or
indebtedness of any Subsidiary that owns or leases any Principal Property
(whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness are now
owned or hereafter acquired) unless all payments due under the Indenture and
the Securities are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations
so secured until such time as such obligation is no longer secured by a Lien,
except for Permitted Liens.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will enter into any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless either
(a) the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the
provisions of the Indenture, to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the
property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the Securities or
(b) the Company, within 180 days after the effective date of such
transaction, applies to the voluntary retirement of its funded debt an amount
equal to the value of such transaction, defined as the greater of the net
proceeds of the sale of the property leased in such transaction or the fair
value, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, of the leased property at
the time such transaction was entered into.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on Liens and Sale and
Leaseback Transaction, the Company and its Subsidiaries may issue, assume, or
guarantee Indebtedness secured by a Lien without securing the Securities, or
may enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions without retiring funded debt,
or enter into a combination of such transactions, if the sum of the principal
amount of all such
A-4
Indebtedness and the aggregate value of all such Sale and Leaseback
Transactions does not at any time exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets of the Company.
5. Optional Redemption
The Securities will be redeemable at any time, at the option of the
Company, in whole or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 and not
more than 60 days' notice mailed to each Holder to be redeemed at the
Holder's address appearing in the books of the Registrar, on any date prior
to maturity (the "Redemption Date") at a price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the
right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest
due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date)
plus a Make-Whole Premium, if any (the "Redemption Price"). In no event will
the Redemption Price ever be less than 100% of the principal amount of the
Securities plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date.
The amount of the Make-Whole Premium with respect to any Security (or
portion thereof) to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of:
(1) the sum of the present values, calculated as of the Redemption Date,
of:
(a) each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would have
been payable on the Security (or portion thereof) being redeemed on each
interest payment date occurring after the Redemption Date (excluding any
accrued interest for the period prior to the Redemption Date); and
(b) the principal amount that, but for such redemption, would have
been payable at the final maturity of the Security (or portion thereof)
being redeemed;
over
(2) the principal amount of the Security (or portion thereof) being
redeemed. The present values of interest and principal payments referred to
in clause (i) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted
principles of financial analysis. Such present values will be calculated by
discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date
that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to
the Redemption Date at a discount rate equal to the Treasury Yield (as
defined below) plus 20 basis points.
The Make-Whole Premium will be calculated by an independent investment
banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company; provided,
that if the Company fails to make such appointment at least 45 business days
prior to the Redemption Date, or if the institution so appointed is unwilling
or unable to make such calculation, such calculation will be made by Salomon
Brothers Inc or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to make such
calculation, by an independent investment banking
A-5
institution of national standing appointed by the Trustee (in any such case,
an "Independent Investment Banker"). Such fees are to be paid for by the
Company.
For purposes of determining the Make-Whole Premium, "Treasury Yield"
means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to
maturity of United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity that
corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Securities, calculated
to the nearest 1/12th of a year (the "Remaining Term"). The Treasury Yield
will be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the
applicable Redemption Date.
The weekly average yields of United States Treasury Notes will be
determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "H.15(519) Selected
Interest Rates" or any successor release (the "H.15 Statistical Release").
If the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United
States Treasury Notes having a constant maturity that is the same as the
Remaining Term, then the Treasury Yield will be equal to such weekly average
yield. In all other cases, the Treasury Yield will be calculated by
interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on
the United States Treasury Notes that have a constant maturity closest to and
greater than the Remaining Term and the United States Treasury Notes that
have a constant maturity closest to and less than the Remaining Term (in each
case as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release). Any weekly average
yields so calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th
of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If
weekly average yields for United States Treasury Notes are not available in
the H.15 Statistical Release or otherwise, then the Treasury Yield will be
calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the Independent
Investment Banker.
In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Securities for
redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such
other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and
appropriate, although no Security of $1,000 in original principal amount or
less shall be redeemed in part. If any Security is to be redeemed in part
only, the notice of redemption relating to such Security shall state the
portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Security in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in
the name of the Holder thereof upon cancelation of the original Security.
6. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at his registered address. Securities in denominations larger than
$1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If
money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all
Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is
deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain
other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to
accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
A-6
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.
8. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.
9. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for
two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the
Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only
to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
10. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate
some or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the
Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for
the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or
maturity, as the case may be.
11. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the
Securities and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be
waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount outstanding of the Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set
forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Securityholder, the
Company and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any
ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of
the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
in place of certificated Securities, or to add guarantees with respect to the
Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional covenants or
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply with any
request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the
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Indenture under the Act, or to make any change that does not adversely affect
the rights of any Securityholder.
12. Defaults and Remedies
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include a (i) default in the
payment of any interest upon any of the Securities for 30 days or more after
such payment is due; (ii) default in the payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, on any of the Securities when due; (iii) default by the
Company in the performance, or breach, of any of its other covenants in the
Indenture which will not have been remedied by the end of a period of 60 days
after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the
Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities; and (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all
the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the
Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such
Events of Default.
Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the
Indenture or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or
security. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust
or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any
continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if
it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
13. Trustee Dealings with the Company
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner
or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations
owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee.
14. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or
the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a
Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the
Securities.
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15. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.
16. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).
[17. Holders' Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement.
Each Holder of a Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees
to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including, without
limitation, the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and
the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.](2)
18. Governing Law.
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS
OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
19. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No
representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed
on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance
may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
---------------------
(2) For Exchange or Private Exchange Securities only.
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The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it
the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Natural Gas Corp.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention of Corporate Secretary
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to__________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) (Insert assignee's soc.
sec. or tax I.D. No.) and irrevocably appoint agent
to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.
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Date: Your Signature:
--------------- ------------------------------
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Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this
Security.
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