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Exhibit 10.17
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of January 16, 1998
Among
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ENERGY, INC.
as Issuer
and
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED,
and
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
as Initial Purchasers
10-1/4% Senior Notes due 2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Exchange Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Shelf Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. Additional Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5. Registration Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6. Registration Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
7. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
8. Rules 144 and 144A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
9. Underwritten Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
10. Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
(c) Amendments and Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
(d) Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
(e) Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
(f) Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
(g) Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
(h) Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
(i) Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
(j) Securities Held by the Issuer or Its Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
(l) Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is dated as of
January 16, 1998, among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"), and BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED and Prudential Securities
Incorporated as initial purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers"). This Agreement
is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement, dated as of January
14, 1998, among the Issuer and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase
Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Issuer to the Initial
Purchasers of U.S. $80,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer's
10-1/4% Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Notes"). In order to induce the Initial
Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuer has agreed to
provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of
the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders of the Notes. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial
Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4 hereof.
Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: See the introductory paragraph hereto.
Applicable Period: See Section 2 hereof.
Effectiveness Date: The 160th day after the Issue Date;
provided, however, that with respect to any Shelf Registration, the
Effectiveness Date shall be the 90th day after the Filing Date with respect
thereto.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3 hereof.
Event Date: See Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
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Exchange Offer: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2 hereof.
Existing Notes: the Issuer's 10 1/4% Senior Notes due 2006
issued on October 8, 1996 in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000.
Filing Date: (A) If no Registration Statement has been filed
by the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement, the 100th day after the Issue Date;
provided, however, that if a Shelf Notice is given within 10 days of the Filing
Date, then the Filing Date with respect to the Initial Shelf Registration shall
be the 15th calendar day after the date of the giving of such Shelf Notice; and
(B) in each other case (which may be applicable notwithstanding the
consummation of the Exchange Offer), the 30th day after the delivery of a Shelf
Notice.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable
Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1996,
between the Issuer and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee,
pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended by the Supplemental
Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998, between the Issuer and the Trustee and
as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 5(n) hereof.
Issue Date: January 16, 1998, the date of original issuance of
the Notes.
Issuer: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(s) hereof.
Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof.
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2 hereof.
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Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership,
joint stock Issuer, trust, unincorporated association, union, business
association, firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2 hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion
and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance
upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed
pursuant to Rule 434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by
any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.
Records: See Section 5(n) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon its original issuance and
at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section
2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times
subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance
thereof and at all times subsequent thereto, until (i) a Registration Statement
(other than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv)
hereof is applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such
Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the
SEC and such Note, Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the case may
be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration
Statement, (ii) such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for
an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes that may be resold without restriction under
state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the
Indenture or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, may be resold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the
Issuer that covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, including the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than
Rule 144A) or regulation hereafter
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adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of securities made in
compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by subsequent holders that
are not affiliates of the issuer of such securities being free of the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than
Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2(c) hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if
any) under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange
Notes.
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A
registration in which securities of one or more of the Issuer are sold to an
underwriter for reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) The Issuer shall file with the SEC, no later than the
Filing Date, a Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration
Statement") on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered
offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes
for a like aggregate principal amount of notes (the "Exchange Notes") of the
Issuer that are identical in all material respects to the Notes except that the
Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange Offer
shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the
Exchange Act and other applicable law. The Issuer shall use its best efforts
to (x) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective
under the Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the
Exchange Offer open for at least 30 days (or longer if required by applicable
law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and
(z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the
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45th day following the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
is declared effective by the SEC. If, after the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is initially declared effective by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the
issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental
agency or court, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed not
to have become effective for purposes of this Agreement.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be required,
as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to represent to the
Issuer in writing (which may be contained in the applicable letter of
transmittal) that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in
the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of
the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with
any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes, and that
such Holder is not an affiliate of the Issuer within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis
mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange
Notes, Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange
Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuer shall
have no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private
Exchange Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which
clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuer shall include within the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan
of Distribution," reasonably acceptable to the Holders, which shall contain a
summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the
SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer
that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act)
of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer as a
result of market making and other trading activities (a "Participating
Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been publicly
disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent
the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution"
section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable
policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
including, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of
the SEC, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing
the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes
in compliance with the Securities Act.
The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein in order to permit such
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Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as is
necessary to comply with applicable law in connection with any resale of the
Exchange Notes covered thereby; provided, however, that such period shall not
exceed 180 days after such Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective (or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of
Section 5 hereof) (the "Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Holder holds any
Notes acquired by it that have, or that are reasonably likely to be determined
to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial distribution, or any
Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer, the Issuer upon
the request of any such Holder shall simultaneously with the delivery of the
Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to any such Holder, in
exchange (the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by any such Holder, a
like principal amount of notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") of the Issuer,
that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes except for
the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private Exchange Notes. The
Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the
Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder entitled
to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming
part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an
appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30
days after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to
Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange
Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time
prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last business
day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer
and the Private Exchange, if any, the Issuer shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly
tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and the Private Exchange, if any;
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(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all
Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver
promptly to each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount
to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as
the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuer to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuer and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuer deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or
is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes, the Notes and the Existing Notes shall vote and consent
together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes, the Notes or the Existing Notes will have the right to
vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently
prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuer is not permitted
to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within
205 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so
requests in writing to the Issuer within 60 days after the consummation of the
Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the
Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the
exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal
securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an
Initial Purchaser, a person participating in the distribution of the Notes or
an affiliate of the Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act), then in
the case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, the
Issuer shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice
thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to
Section 3 hereof.
3. Shelf Registration
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
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(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuer shall file with the
SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes as to which Section
2(c) is applicable (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuer shall use
its best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or
before the applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on
Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such
Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by
them (including, without limitation, one underwritten offering). The Issuer
shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included
in the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as
defined below).
The Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause the Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously
effective under the Securities Act until the date which is two years from the
Effectiveness Date (the "Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter period ending
when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have
been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf
Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the
Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration
or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared effective under
the Securities Act; provided, however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect
of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the extent required to
permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements
of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf
Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for
any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of
the sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuer shall use
its best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuer
shall use its best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such
filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective
for a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the
aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used
herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and
any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuer shall
promptly supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such
Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if
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reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any
underwriter of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuer and the Initial Purchasers agree that the
Holders will suffer damages if the Issuer fails to fulfill its obligations
under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to
ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuer
agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes
("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the extent set forth
below (each of which shall be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration has
been filed on or prior to the applicable Filing Date or (B)
notwithstanding that the Issuer has consummated or will
consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuer is required to file
a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed
on or prior to the Filing Date applicable thereto, then,
commencing on the day after any such Filing Date, Additional
Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at
a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days immediately
following each such Filing Date, and such Additional Interest
rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the
beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration is
declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the relevant
Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuer has
consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuer
is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf
Registration is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior
to the Effectiveness Date in respect of such Shelf
Registration, then, commencing on the day after such
Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for
the first 90 days immediately following the day after such
Effectiveness Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall
increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of
each subsequent 90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuer has not exchanged Exchange
Notes for all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 45th day after
the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating thereto was declared effective or (B) if applicable,
a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during
the Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall
accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50%
per annum for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 46th day
after such effective date, in the case of (A) above,
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or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective
in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest rate
shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the
beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not
exceed at any one time in the aggregate 1.0% per annum; provided, further,
however, that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the
case of clause (i) above of this Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration
Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii) of this Section 4),
or (3) upon the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes for all Notes
tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the
effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased
to remain effective (in the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4), Additional
Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events relate as a result of
such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall
cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuer shall notify the Trustee within three
business days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of
which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any
amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of
this Section 4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each April 1 and October
1 (to the holders of record on the March 15 and September 15 immediately
preceding such dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any
such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional
Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest
rate by the principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest
rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuer shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in
connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuer hereunder the
Issuer shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable
Filing Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed
by Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use its best efforts to cause each such
Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided
herein; provided, however, that, if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto,
the Issuer shall
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furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable
opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any
documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto)
proposed to be filed (in each case at least five days prior to such filing, or
such later date as is reasonable under the circumstances). The Issuer shall
not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, or any such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel, or the managing
underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object; provided, however, the Filing
Date shall be extended to afford the Issuer a reasonable period of time to make
such changes as shall be requested by such Holders.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period
or the Applicable Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to
be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as
so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions
then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to each of
them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented
and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus. The Issuer shall
be deemed not to have used their best efforts to keep a Registration Statement
effective during the Effective Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may
be, relating thereto if the Issuer voluntarily takes any action that would
result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered thereby or
Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to
sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period unless
such action is required by applicable law or permitted by this Agreement.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom
the Issuer has received written notice that it will be a Participating
Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable
Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their
counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event
within one day), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or
any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole
expense of the Issuer, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or
post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules,
documents incorporated
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or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance
by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at
any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by
Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuer
contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated
by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all material respects,
(iv) of the receipt by the Issuer of any notification with respect to the
suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a
Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to
be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or
any information becoming known that makes any statement made in such
Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect
or that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to
such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of
the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the
case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuer's determination
that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be
appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use its best efforts to
prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a
Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of
any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such
order is issued, to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such
order at the earliest possible moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3 and if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
being sold in connection with an underwritten offering or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing
underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating
Broker-Dealer or counsel for any of them reasonably request to be included
therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such
post- effective amendment as soon as practicable after an Issuer has received
notification of the matters
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to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment,
and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so
requests and to their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any,
at the sole expense of the Issuer, one conformed copy of the Registration
Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all
exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the
sole expense of the Issuer, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
(including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or
supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such
Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this
Section 5, the Issuer hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable
Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the
underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by
Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or
any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes
during the Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and
to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the
registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of such Registrable Notes for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as
any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or
underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that where
Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are
offered other than through an underwritten offering, the Issuer agrees to cause
its counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep each
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during
the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do
any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable
the
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disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to (A)
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of
process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject
itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section
3 hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be
sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in
a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Issuer; and enable such
Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such
other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably necessary to
enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or underwriters, if
any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Notes, except as may be
required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder's
business, in which case the Issuer will cooperate in all reasonable respects
with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such
approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any
event contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as
practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at
the sole expense of the Issuer, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or
file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers
of the Exchange Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a
Participating Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Issuer shall not be required to amend or supplement a
Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any document incorporated
therein by reference, in the event that, and for a period not to exceed an
aggregate of 60 days in any calendar year if, (i) an event occurs and is
continuing as a result of which the Shelf Registration would, in the Issuer's
good faith judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (ii)
(a) the Issuer
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determines in its good faith judgment that the disclosure of such event at such
time would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
prospects of the Issuer or (b) the disclosure otherwise relates to a pending
material business transaction that has not yet been publicly disclosed.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration
Statement relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Issuer and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable
Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of
Registrable Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting
agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar
to the Notes in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and
take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration
or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make
such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters
with respect to the business of the Issuer any of the subsidiaries of the
Issuer (including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable)
and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt
securities similar to the Notes, and confirm the same in writing if and when
requested in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; (ii)
obtain the written opinions of counsel to the Issuer and written updates
thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in underwritten offerings
and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters; (iii) use its best efforts to obtain "cold
comfort" letters and updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent
accountants of the Issuer (and, if necessary, any other independent accountants
of the Issuer any subsidiary of the Issuer or of any business acquired by the
Issuer for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required
to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement),
addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and
covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in
connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes
and such other matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters as permitted by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the sellers and
underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other
provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement
and the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above
shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to
the extent required thereunder.
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(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to
Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for
inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter
participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate
documents and instruments of the Issuer and subsidiaries of the Issuer
(collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them
to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the
officers, directors and employees of the Issuer and any of its subsidiaries to
supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection
with such Registration Statement and Prospectus. Each Inspector shall agree in
writing that it will keep the Records confidential and that it will not
disclose any of the Records that the Issuer determines, in good faith, to be
confidential and notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i)
the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material
misstatement or material omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus,
(ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such
information is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any
Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly
or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising
out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase
Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising
hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records has been made
generally available to the public; provided, however, that prior notice shall
be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuer of the potential disclosure of
any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of
this sentence to permit the Issuer to obtain a protective order (or waive the
provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such
actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such
information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not
inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and
interests of the Holder or any Inspector.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable
Notes or the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the
trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders
of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such indenture as may be
required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture
to be so qualified in a timely manner.
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(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earnings statements
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later
than 60 days after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 120 days after the end of
any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end
of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a
firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Issuer after the effective date of a Registration
Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private
Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, and the related indenture constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in
accordance with their respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and
qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Issuer
(or to such other Person as directed by the Issuer) in exchange for the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuer
shall ▇▇▇▇, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such
Registrable Notes are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable
Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.
(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes
covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any,
participating in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective
counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(t) Use its best efforts to take all other steps
reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes and/or
Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuer may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuer such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuer may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuer may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such seller
fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected
agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuer all information required to be
disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuer
by such seller not materially misleading.
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If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Issuer, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the
holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a
recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the securities
covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will
assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Issuer, or (ii) in
the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not
required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force,
the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to
the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such
reference ceases to be required.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be
sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual
receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until such
Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or
until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Issuer that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments
or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuer shall give any such
notice, the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during
such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof or (y)
the Advice.
6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuer shall be borne by the Issuer whether or not
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration is filed or
becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without
limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD
in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of
compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky
qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of
the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under
the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are
located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h)
hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing
expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in
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a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Issuer and of printing
prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration
Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by
any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may
be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuer and reasonable fees and disbursements
of one special counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive
of any counsel retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and
disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in
Section 5(m)(iii) hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of any
special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
performance), (vi) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Issuer desires
such insurance, (vii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the
Issuer, (viii) internal expenses of the Issuer (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Issuer performing
legal or accounting duties), (ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) any fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be
registered on any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the
securities, in each case, if applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to
printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements,
underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order
to comply with this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, the officers, directors, employees
and agents of each such Person, and each Person, if any, who controls any such
Person within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "Participant"), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including,
without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually
incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim
asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented
if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or
any preliminary prospectus, or caused by, arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the
Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are
caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Participant furnished to the Issuer in writing by such Participant
expressly for use therein.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors, its officers who sign
the Registration Statement and each Person who controls the Issuer within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
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Exchange Act to the same extent (but on a several, and not joint, basis) as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuer to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuer
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any
governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or
asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought
pursuant to either of the two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the
"Indemnified Person") shall promptly notify the Persons against whom such
indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying Persons") in writing, and the
Indemnifying Persons, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the
Indemnified Person and any others the Indemnifying Persons may reasonably
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses actually
incurred by such counsel related to such proceeding; provided, however, that
the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Persons (i) will not relieve it from
any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent such
failure results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial
rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the Indemnifying
Party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. In any
such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Persons and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying
Persons shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in
any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both any
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person or any affiliate thereof and
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due
to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood
that, unless there exists a conflict among Indemnified Persons, the
Indemnifying Persons shall not, in connection with such proceeding or separate
but substantially similar related proceeding in the same jurisdiction arising
out of the same general allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all
Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed
promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants and
such control Persons of Participants shall be designated in writing by
Participants who sold a majority in interest of Registrable Notes and Exchange
Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Issuer, and any such separate firm for the Issuer, its directors, its officers
and such control Persons of the Issuer shall be designated in writing by such
Issuer and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders.
The Indemnifying Persons shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for
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which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Agreement, each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of
any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person
is or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by
such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional
written release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are
the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as
to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such
Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and
second paragraphs of this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or
insufficient to hold harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying
Person under such paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person
thereunder and in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying
Person or Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the
other from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by the
foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative
benefits but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on
the one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that
resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Issuer on the one hand and the Participants on the
other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from
the offering (net of discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses)
of the Notes received by the Issuer bears to the total proceeds received by
such Participant from the sale of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the
case may be, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Offering Memorandum in respect of the sale of the Notes. The relative fault of
the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
the Issuer on the one hand or such Participant or such other Indemnified
Person, as the case may be, on the other, the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in
the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses,
claims, damages,
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judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually incurred by such
Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event
shall a Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any damages
that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay or has paid by reason
of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution
under this Section 7 shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified
Party as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and the
representations and warranties of the Issuer set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person who controls a
Holder, the Issuer, its directors, officers, employees or agents or any person
controlling the Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained
in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying
Persons may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
Rules 144 and 144A
The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will file the reports required
to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance
with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, if at any
time the Issuer is not required to file such reports, the Issuer will, upon the
request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes, make available
such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. The Issuer further covenants and agrees, for so long as any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding that it will take such further action as
any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request, all to the extent
required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Notes
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
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8. Underwritten Registrations
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Issuer.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
9. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuer has not, as of
the date hereof, and the Issuer shall not, after the date of this Agreement,
enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in
this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights
granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Issuer's other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. The Issuer will
not enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities which will
grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any
Registration Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuer
shall not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the
Registrable Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the
Holders of Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a
registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this
Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents
to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with
the prior written consent of (I) the Issuer and (II)(A) the Holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding
Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the
Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less
than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all
Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section 7 and this
Section 10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior
written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker- Dealer (including
any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration
Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
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waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter
that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose
securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does
not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of
other Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold
pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications
(including, without limitation, any notices or other communications to the
Trustee) provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by
hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable
Notes or any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most
current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the
records of the registrar under the Indenture.
(ii) if to the Issuer, at the address as
follows:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ENERGY, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT
REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO
SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and
the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an
alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that
contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby
stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have
executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without
including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or
unenforceable.
(j) Securities Held by the Issuer or Its Affiliates.
Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Notes is required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuer
or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was
given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable
Notes and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries
of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the
Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all
prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts,
understandings, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders
on the one hand and the Issuer on the other, or between or among any agents,
representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or
successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof
are merged herein and replaced hereby.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ENERGY, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Page
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. Page
Title: Senior Vice President
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The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
BT ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED,
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
as Initial Purchasers
By: BT Alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director
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