Exhibit 4.3
[Face of Note]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), 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 IN 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.
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED HEREON HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE, THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED HEREON, NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED HEREON, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES NOT TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED HEREON (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED HEREON) (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”), EXCEPT THAT THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES MAY BE TRANSFERRED (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES ENDORSED THEREON ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (1) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (2) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF A HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.
CUSIP 109178AC7
| No. 1 | $35,000,000 |
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
9 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2014
Brigham Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of Thirty Five Million ($35,000,000) UNITED STATES DOLLARS on May 1, 2014.
Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2007.
Regular Record Dates: April 15 and October 15 of each year.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Date of Issuance: April 9, 2007
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
| BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY, | |||
| a Delaware corporation | |||
| By: | /s/ Ben M. Brigham | ||
| Name: | Ben M. Brigham | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman | ||
| By: | /s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr. | ||
| Name: | Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr. | ||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief | ||
| Financial Officer | |||
Date: April 9, 2007
Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
This is one of the 9 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2014 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., | ||
| as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Timothy P. Mowdy | |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
Date: April 9, 2007
[Reverse Side of Note]
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
9 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2014
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 9.625% per annum from the date hereof until maturity and shall pay Additional Interest, if any, as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 9, 2007 referred below. The Company shall pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Notes) or, if no interest has been paid, from November 1, 2006; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be May 1, 2007. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest and Additional Interest, if any) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the April 15th or October 15th immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Company shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, on the dates of its choosing and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 20, 2006 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture pursuant to which this Note is issued provides that an unlimited amount of Additional Notes may be issued thereunder, subject to compliance with the covenants therein.
5. Optional Redemption. (a) On or after May 1, 2010, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount), set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 1 of the years indicated below:
Year | Redemption Price | |
| 2010 | 104.813% | |
| 2011 | 102.406% | |
| 2012 and thereafter | 100.000% |
(b) In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to May 1, 2009, the Company may use the net proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem up to an aggregate of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture) at a redemption price equal to 109.625% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date); provided that this redemption provision shall not be applicable with respect to any transaction that results in a Change of Control. At least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture) must remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption. In order to effect this redemption, the Company must mail a notice of redemption no later than 30 days after the closing of the related Equity Offering and must complete such redemption within 60 days of the closing of the Equity Offering.
6. Mandatory Redemption. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
7. Repurchase at Option of Holders.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder may require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes in whole or in part in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, pursuant to a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
(b) Under certain circumstances described in the Indenture, the Company will be required to apply the proceeds of Asset Sales to the repayment of the Notes and/or Pari Passu Indebtedness.
8. Selection and Notice of Redemption. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased among the Holders of the Notes not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and reasonable. Redemptions pursuant to Section 3.07(b) of the Indenture shall be made on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as practicable (subject to the provisions of the Depositary). In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest and Addditional Interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented only as provided in the Indenture.
12. Defaults. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization specified in the Inndenture, with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders of the Notes) and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding Notes waive any past Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a Default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes affected) or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected by such modification or amendment.
13. Trustee Dealings with the Company. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
14. No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, member or stockholder of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees to which they are a party, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
15. Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
16. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes issued on the Issue Date shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 9, 2007, among the Company, the Guarantors and the parties named on the signature pages thereof.
17. 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 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
18. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
| BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY | |
| 6300 Bridge Point Parkway | |
| Building Two, Suite 500 | |
| Austin, Texas 78730 | |
| Facsimile: (512) 427-3400 | |
| Attention: Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr., Chief Financial Officer |
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
| (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: | ||
| (Insert assignee’s legal name) | ||
| (Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) | ||
| (Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code) | ||
| and irrevocably appoint | ||
to transfer this Note 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 face of this Note) |
Signature Guarantee*:
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
o Section 4.11 o Section 4.20
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
| $ |
| Date: |
| Your Signature: | ||
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
| Tax Identification No.: |
| Signature Guarantee*: | |||
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note | Amount of Increase in Principal Amount at Maturity of this Global Note | Principal Amount Maturity of this Global Following such Decrease (or Increase) |