Exhibit 4.2
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
12¾ % Senior Secured Notes due 2012
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
November 29, 2007
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
520 Madison Avenue
12th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Issuer”), is issuing and selling to Jefferies & Company, Inc., Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C. and Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC (the “Initial Purchasers”), upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement, dated November 16, 2007 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, Gastar Exploration Ltd., a Canadian corporation organized under the Business Corporation Act of Alberta, Canada (the “Parent”), as guarantor, and the other guarantors listed on the signature pages therein (together with the Parent, the “Guarantors” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”) and the Initial Purchasers, $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 12¾ % Senior Secured Notes due 2012 issued by the Issuer (each, together with the related guarantees, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers agree with the Initial Purchasers for the benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), as follows:
1. | Definitions |
Capitalized terms that are used herein without definition and are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4(a).
Advice: See Section 5(u).
Agreement: This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.
Applicable Period: See Section 2(e).
Board of Directors: See Section 5(u).
Business Day: A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.
Closing Date: November 29, 2007.
Delay Period: See Section 5(u).
Effectiveness Date: See Section 2(a).
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a)(iii).
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: Senior Secured Notes due 2012 of the Issuer registered under the Securities Act, identical in all material respects to the Notes, including the guarantees endorsed thereon, except for restrictive legends and additional interest provisions.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2(a).
FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Guarantors: Parent, Gastar Exploration New South Wales, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Gastar Exploration Victoria, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Gastar Exploration Texas, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Gastar Exploration Texas LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and Gastar Exploration Texas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Holder: Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Party: See Section 7(c).
Indemnifying Party: See Section 7(c).
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Issuers and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Initial Shelf Registration Statement: See Section 3(a).
Inspectors: See Section 5(n).
Issuer: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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Issuers: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Lien: Has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
Losses: See Section 7(a).
Maximum Contribution Amount: See Section 7(d).
Notes: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Parent: See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(e).
Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2(f).
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2(f).
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, 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 paragraph to this Agreement.
Records: See Section 5(n).
Registered Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a).
Registrable Notes: Notes, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes received in the Registered Exchange Offer, in each case, that may not be sold or transferred (i) without restriction under federal or state securities laws or (ii) pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144.
Registration Default: See Section 4(a).
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers filed with the SEC under the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) that covers any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, 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.
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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 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 an issuer or 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.
Rule 430A: Rule 430A 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: The Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Filing Date: See Section 4(a)(iv).
Shelf Filing Event: See Section 2(i).
Shelf Registration Statement: See Section 3(b).
Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement: See Section 3(b).
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (if any).
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Issuer are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.
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2. | Registered Exchange Offer |
(a) | Unless the Registered Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable laws or a policy of the SEC, the Issuers shall (i) prepare and file with the SEC promptly after the date hereof, but in no event later than 150 days after the Issue Date, a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to an offer (the “Registered Exchange Offer”) to exchange the Notes for Exchange Notes guaranteed by the Guarantors which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes (except that the Exchange Notes will not contain terms relating to transfer restrictions and additional interest provisions), (ii) use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 240 days after the Issue Date, (iii) as soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the “Effectiveness Date”), offer the Exchange Notes in exchange for the Notes, and (iv) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders. The Registered Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Registered Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC. |
(b) | The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued under, and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture that is identical to the Indenture (other than such changes as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the SEC to effect or maintain the qualifications thereof under the TIA) which in either case will provide that (i) the Exchange Notes will not be subject to the transfer restrictions or additional interest provisions set forth in the Indenture, (ii) the Private Exchange Notes will be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and (iii) the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes, if any, will be deemed one class of security (subject to the provisions of the Indenture) and entitled to participate in all the security granted by the Issuers pursuant to the Collateral Agreements and in any Guarantee (as such terms are defined in the Indenture) on an equal and ratable basis. |
(c) | Interest on the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes will accrue from (i) the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefore, or (ii) if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the Issue Date. Each Exchange Note and Private Exchange Note shall bear interest at the rate set forth thereon; provided, that interest with respect to the period prior to the issuance thereof shall accrue at the rate or rates borne by the Notes from time to time during such period. |
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(d) | The Issuers may require each Holder as a condition to participation in the Registered Exchange Offer to represent to the Issuers that at the time of consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (i) that any Exchange Notes received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) that at the time of commencement of the Registered Exchange Offer such Holder has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) that either such Holder is not an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of any Issuer, or if such Holder is an “affiliate,” such Holder will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Notes and (v) if such Holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, that it will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities and that it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes. |
(e) | The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers which shall contain all of the information that the SEC may require 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 Registered Exchange Offer for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or 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, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also allow, 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 so permitted, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes. Each Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements in order to resell the Exchange Notes (the “Applicable Period”). |
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(f) | If, upon consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, an Initial Purchaser holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Issuers (upon written request from such Initial Purchaser to the Issuer) shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser in exchange (the “Private Exchange”) for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount at maturity of debt securities of the Issuer, including guarantees endorsed thereon (issued under the same Indenture as the Exchange Notes) that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the existence of restrictions on transfer thereof under the Securities Act and securities laws of the several states of the United States (the “Private Exchange Notes”). The Private Exchange Notes shall bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes. |
(g) | In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall: |
(i) | mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and any related documents; |
(ii) | keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders; |
(iii) | utilize the services of a depository for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof; |
(iv) | permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open; and |
(v) | otherwise comply with all applicable laws. |
(h) | As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall: |
(i) | accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be; |
(ii) | deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and |
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(iii) | cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder tendering such Registrable Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount at maturity to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange. |
(i) | In the event that: |
(i) | any change in law or in applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC does not permit the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer; |
(ii) | the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated for any other reason within 290 days after the Issue Date; |
(iii) | an Initial Purchaser notifies the Issuer following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer that Notes held by it are not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Notes in the Registered Exchange Offer; |
(iv) | any Holder, other than the Initial Purchasers, is prohibited by law or the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold or transferred without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of any Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act); or |
(v) | any Participating Broker Dealer is prohibited by law or SEC policy from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Registered Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus; |
(each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of this sentence, a “Shelf Filing Event”), then the Issuers shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
3. | Shelf Registration |
(a) | Initial Shelf Registration Statement. If at any time a Shelf Filing Event shall occur, then the Issuers shall as promptly as practicable (but in no event later than 30 days after the notice of the occurrence of the Shelf Filing Event) and at their sole expense 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 (the “Initial Shelf Registration Statement”). 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 or more underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in any Shelf Registration Statement. |
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Each Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts:
(i) | in the case of Section 2(i)(i) above, to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the 240th day after the Issue Date; |
(ii) | in the case of Sections 2(i)(ii), (iii) or (iv) above, cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the 90th day after the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed; and |
(iii) | use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective until the earliest of (A) the time when the Notes covered by the Shelf Registration Statement can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any information under clause (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144, (B) two years from the Issue Date and (C) the date on which all Notes registered thereunder are disposed of in accordance therewith subject to extension pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the “Effectiveness Period”); provided, however, that (i) the Effectiveness Period in respect of the 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 and (ii) the Issuer may suspend the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement by written notice to the Holders solely as a result of the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Issuer where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related Prospectus, provided that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Shelf Registration shall be extended by such number of days for which effectiveness is suspended under this clause (ii). |
(b) | Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement. If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement 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), each Issuer shall use its reasonable 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 such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner designed 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 Registration Statement or any earlier Registration Statement (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement 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 Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term “Shelf Registration Statement” means the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statements. |
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(c) | Supplements and Amendments. The Issuer shall promptly amend any Shelf Registration Statement and/or amend or supplement the Prospectus constituting a part thereof if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration, or if requested in writing by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or by any underwriter of such Registrable Notes. |
(d) | Provision of Information. No Holder shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Notes in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless such Holder furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a written request therefor, such information as the Issuer and the Trustee, after conferring with counsel with regard to information relating to Holders that would be required by the SEC to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, may reasonably request for inclusion in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, and no such Holder shall be entitled to Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided such information. |
4. | Additional Interest |
(a) | The Issuers agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under Sections 2 or 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree that if: |
(i) | the Issuers fail to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with the SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the Issue Date, |
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(ii) | if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 210th day after the Issue Date or, if the Issuers are obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(a)(i), a Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 240th day after the Issue Date; |
(iii) | the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 50th day following the Effectiveness Date; |
(iv) | notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate an Registered Exchange Offer, a Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) is not filed on or prior to the 90th day following the Shelf Filing Event (the “Shelf Filing Date”) or, if that day is not a Business Day, the next day that is a Business Day; |
(v) | notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate an Registered Exchange Offer, a Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) is not declared effective on or prior to the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Date; or |
(vi) | after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, is declared effective, such Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective or usable except if the Registration Statement ceases to be effective or usable as specifically permitted by the penultimate paragraph of Section 5 hereof; |
(each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (v) a “Registration Default”), the Issuers shall pay additional cash interest on the Notes (“Additional Interest”) under the circumstances and to the extent set forth herein. The rate of Additional Interest will be 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default, increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period up to a maximum amount of additional interest of 0.50% per annum, from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to, but excluding, the earlier of (1) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured or (2) the date on which all the Notes and Exchange Notes otherwise become freely transferable by Holders, other than affiliates of the Issuers, under Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the amount of Additional Interest payable shall not increase more than by the foregoing rates because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending and (2) a Holder of Notes or Exchange Notes who is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement (i.e., such Holder has not elected to include information) shall not be entitled to Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Shelf Registration Statement.
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(b) | The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within five Business Days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid. Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to this Section 4 will be payable in cash, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Indenture for interest payments on the Notes and whether or not any cash interest would then be payable on such date, commencing with the first such semi-annual 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 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 Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit the sale of such 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 Issuers hereunder, the Issuers shall:
(a) | Prepare and file with the SEC as soon as practicable after the date hereof (but in no event later than 150 days after the Issue Date), the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed because of the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(i), a Shelf Registration Statement as prescribed by Section 3, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that, if (i) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3 or (ii) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto the Issuers shall, if requested, furnish at no charge to the Holders of the Registrable Notes to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, each Participating Broker-Dealer, the managing underwriters, if any, and each of their respective counsel, 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 Business Days prior to such filing). The Issuers shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must provide information for the inclusion therein without the Holders being afforded an opportunity to review such documentation 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, or the managing underwriters, if any, or any of their respective counsel shall reasonably object in writing on a timely basis. A Holder shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act. |
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(b) | Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture (or other indenture relating to the Registrable Notes) to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement; and in connection therewith, 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 their reasonable 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. |
(c) | Prepare and file with the SEC such pre-effective 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 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 Issuers shall not, during the Applicable Period, voluntarily take any action that would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement 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, rule or regulation or permitted by this Agreement. |
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(d) | Furnish to such selling Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers who so request in writing (i) upon the Issuer’s receipt, a copy of the order of the SEC declaring such Registration Statement and any post effective amendment thereto effective, (ii) such reasonable number of copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including any documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits), (iii) such reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and each amendment and supplement thereto, and such reasonable number of copies of the final Prospectus as filed by the Issuers pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and each amendment and supplement thereto, and (iv) such other documents (including any amendments required to be filed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5), as any such Person may reasonably request in writing. The Issuers hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus 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. |
(e) | If (1) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 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, the Issuers shall notify in writing the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the managing underwriters, if any, and each of their respective counsel promptly (but in any event within two Business Days) (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 (including in such notice one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, related financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated 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 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 the representations and warranties of the Issuers 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 Issuers 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 of 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 and 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, (vi) of any reasonable determination by the Issuers that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate and (vii) of any request by the SEC for amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto. |
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(f) | Use their reasonable 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 their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible date. |
(g) | If (A) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3, (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period or (C) reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions to information therein relating to such underwriters or selling Holders as the managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or any of their respective counsel reasonably request in writing to be included or made therein and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplements or post-effective amendment. |
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(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 their reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the 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 or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, 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 any managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably request in writing; and, if Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an underwritten offering, the Issuers shall cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and use their reasonable best efforts to file any registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), use their reasonable best efforts to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and use their reasonable best efforts to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided that the Issuers 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) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3 or (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is requested to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, 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 Company, 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 reasonably request in writing at least five Business Days prior to any sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes. |
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(j) | Use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such United States governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter, 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 Issuers shall cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals; provided that each of the Issuers 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 jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject. |
(k) | If (1) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 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 Section 5(e)(v) or Section 5(e)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Issuers, 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, 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, and, if SEC review is required, use their best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective as soon as possible. |
(l) | Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with one or more certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Exchange Notes. |
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(m) | If a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances) and take all such other actions as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes in connection therewith (including those reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes, and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, (i) make such representations and warranties to the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Issuers as then conducted, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and confirm the same if and when requested; (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the written opinions of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof (which opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold), addressed to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions of counsel to the Issuers requested in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances; (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof (which letters and updates (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters) from the independent certified public accountants of the Parent (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any Issuer or any subsidiary of any Issuer or of any business acquired by any Issuer for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included 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, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and such other matters as reasonably requested in writing by the underwriters; and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested in writing by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Issuers made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other similar agreement entered into by the Issuers. |
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(n) | If (1) a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 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 and pertinent corporate documents of the Issuers (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 Issuers to supply all information reasonably requested in writing by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records confidential and not disclose any of the Records unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information in such Records is public or has been made generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Inspector or (iv) disclosure of such information is, in the reasonable written opinion of counsel for any Inspector, necessary or advisable in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, related to, or involving this Agreement, or any transaction contemplated hereby or arising hereunder. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Issuers unless and until such information is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector, each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Issuer and, to the extent practicable, use its best efforts to allow the Issuers, at their sole expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential. |
(o) | Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to the security holders of the Issuers with regard to any applicable Registration Statement earning 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 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 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 consistent with the requirements of Rule 158. |
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(p) | Upon consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, use reasonable best efforts to obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers (in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers), addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as the case may be, to the effect that (i) the Issuers have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the Indenture, (ii) the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the Indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to customary United States and foreign exceptions and (iii) all obligations of the Issuers under the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the Indenture are secured by Liens (as defined in the Indenture) on the assets securing the obligations of the Issuers under the Notes, the Indenture and the Collateral Agreements to the extent and as discussed in the Registration Statement. |
(q) | If the Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by the Holders to the Issuers (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers shall mark, 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; provided that in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied. |
(r) | 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 FINRA. |
(s) | Use their reasonable 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. |
(t) | The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding such seller or Participating Broker-Dealer and the distribution of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes as the Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time (which time in no event shall exceed 30 days) after receiving such request. Each seller of Registrable Notes or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any 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 by such seller not materially misleading. |
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(u) | Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes or by acting as a Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuer (x) of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(e)(ii), 5(e)(iii), 5(e)(iv), or 5(e)(v) hereof, or (y) that the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the “Board of Directors”) has resolved that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for doing so, then the Issuer may delay the filing or the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement (if not then filed or effective, as applicable) and shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness thereof or amend or supplement the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration, in all cases, for a period (a “Delay Period”) expiring upon the earlier to occur of (i) in the case of the immediately preceding clause (x), 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 or (ii) in the case of the immediately preceding clause (y), the date which is the earlier of (A) the date on which such business purpose ceases to interfere with the Issuer’s obligations to file or maintain the effectiveness of any such Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement or (B) 60 days after the Issuer notifies the Holders of such good faith determination. There shall not be more than 60 days of Delay Periods during any 12-month period. Each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period, if applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during any Delay Period. |
In the event of any Delay Period pursuant to clause (y) of the preceding paragraph, notice shall be given as soon as practicable after the Board of Directors makes such a determination of the need for a Delay Period and shall state, to the extent practicable, an estimate of the duration of such Delay Period and shall advise the recipient thereof of the agreement of such Holder provided in the next succeeding sentence. Each Holder, by his acceptance of a Registrable Note or Exchange Note, agrees that during any Delay Period, each Holder will discontinue disposition of such Notes or Exchange 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.
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6. | Registration Expenses |
(a) | All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers, whether or not the Registered Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees, including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the FINRA in connection with any underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws as provided in Section 5(h) hereof (including, without limitation, reasonable 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 are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h), 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 Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their obligations hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, subject to Section 6(b), the Holders, (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5 (including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities to be registered on any securities exchange, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Issuers desire such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” or other independent appraiser participating in an offering pursuant to Section 3 of Schedule E to the bylaws of the FINRA, but only where the need for such a “qualified independent underwriter” arises due to a relationship with the Issuers, (x) internal expenses of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (xi) the expense of any annual audit, (xii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Exchange Agent and (xiii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement. |
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(b) | The Issuers shall reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes to be included in any Registration Statement. The Issuers shall pay all documentary, stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the issuance or delivery of the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes in exchange for the Notes; provided that the Issuers shall not be required to pay taxes payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of any Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note in a name other than that of the Holder of the Note in respect of which such Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note is being issued. The Issuers shall reimburse the Holders for fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Holders) relating to any enforcement of any rights of the Holders under this Agreement. |
7. | Indemnification |
(a) | Indemnification by the Issuers. The Issuers jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, each Person, if any, who controls each such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors and partners of each such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer and controlling person, to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees as provided in this Section 7) and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending against any of the foregoing) (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein 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, except insofar as such Losses resulted from information relating to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer and furnished in writing to the Issuers (or reviewed and approved in writing) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer or their counsel expressly for use therein in accordance with Section 7(b) hereof; provided, however, that the Issuers will not be liable to any Indemnified Party (as defined below) under this Section 6 to the extent Losses were caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto if (i) the Prospectus does not contain any other untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact that was the subject matter of the related proceedings, (ii) any such Losses resulted from an action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Indemnified Party and (iii) it is established in the related proceeding that such Indemnified Party failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Issuers with Section 6 of this Agreement. The Issuers also agree to indemnify underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their officers, directors, agents and employees and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders or the Participating Broker-Dealer. |
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(b) | Indemnification by Holder. In connection with any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus in which a Holder is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Issuers in writing such information as the Issuers reasonably request for use in connection with any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, their respective directors and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers and partners of such controlling persons, to the fullest extent lawful, from and against all Losses arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Losses are finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, unappealable order to have resulted primarily from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact contained in or omitted from any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Issuers expressly for use therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the liability of any selling Holder be greater in amount than such Holder’s Maximum Contribution Amount (as defined below). |
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(c) | Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party or parties from which such indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party” or “Indemnifying Parties”, as applicable) in writing; provided, that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Parties shall not relieve the Indemnifying Parties from any obligation or liability except to the extent (but only to the extent) that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal) that the Indemnifying Parties have been prejudiced materially by such failure. |
The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an Indemnified Party, within 20 Business Days after receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such proceeding, to assume, at its expense, the defense of any such proceeding, provided, that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such proceeding or shall have failed to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; or (3) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party or any of its affiliates or controlling persons, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more defenses available to such Indemnified Party that are in addition to, or in conflict with, those defenses available to the Indemnifying Party or such affiliate or controlling person (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Parties in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Parties, the Indemnifying Parties shall not have the right to assume the defense and the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party; it being understood, however, that, the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Party).
No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement of any such proceeding effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such proceeding, each Indemnifying Party jointly and severally agrees, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth above, to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses by reason of such settlement or judgment. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such proceeding for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Party is a party thereto).
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(d) | Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or is insufficient to hold such Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses in respect of which this Section 7 would otherwise apply by its terms (other than by reason of exceptions provided in this Section 7), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any proceeding, to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in Section 7(a) or 7(b) was available to such party. |
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by another method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(d), a selling Holder shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of such Holder’s Maximum Contribution Amount. A selling Holder’s “Maximum Contribution Amount” shall equal the excess of (i) the aggregate proceeds received by such Holder pursuant to the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes over (ii) the aggregate amount of damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay 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. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of the Registrable Notes held by each Holder hereunder and not joint. The Issuers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7(d) are joint and several.
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The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.
8. | Rules 144 and 144A |
Each of the Issuers covenants that it shall (a) file the reports required to be filed by it (if so required) under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time any such Issuer is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the written request of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and 144A and (b) take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request in writing, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Notes without registration under the Securities Act pursuant to the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A. Upon the request of any Holder, the Issuers shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information and requirements.
9. | Underwritten Registrations of Registrable Notes |
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement 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 to be included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers must 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.
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10. | Miscellaneous |
(a) | Remedies. In the event of a breach by any of the Issuers of any of its obligations under this Agreement, each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein, in the Indenture or, in the case of the Initial Purchasers, in the Purchase Agreement, or granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuers agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by any Issuer of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agree that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, the Issuers shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate. The parties agree that upon the occurrence of a Registration Default as defined in Section 4 hereof, the monetary damages payable by the Issuers (if monetary damages are determined to be the appropriate remedy notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10(a)), shall be limited to the Additional Interest specified in Section 4 hereof. |
(b) | No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers have not entered, as of the date hereof, and the Issuers shall not enter, after the date of this Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Issuers will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of their securities that will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with respect to a Registration Statement. |
(c) | Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuers 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 to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement. |
(d) | Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, other than with the prior written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes in circumstances that would adversely affect any Holders of Registrable Notes; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section 10(d) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a 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 tendered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer or sold pursuant to a Notes 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 tendered or being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Notes Registration Statement. |
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(e) | Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier: |
(i) | if to a Holder or to 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 of the Notes, with a copy in like manner to: |
Jefferies & Company, Inc. 520 Madison Avenue New York, NY 77002 Attention: Josh Targoff Facsimile: (212) 284-2280 |
(ii) | if to the Initial Purchasers, as follows; |
Jefferies & Company, Inc. 520 Madison Avenue New York, NY 77002 Attention: Josh Targoff Facsimile: (212) 284-2280 |
with a copy to:
Thompson & Knight LLP 333 Clay Street, Suite 3300 Houston, Texas 77002 Attention: Dallas Parker Facsimile: (832) 397-8110 |
Johnson Rice & Company LLC 639 Loyola Avenue, Suite 2775 New Orleans, LA 70113 Attention: Gregory L. Miner Facsimile: (504) 566-0742 |
Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC 2001 Lakeshore Drive Mandeville, LA 70001 Attention: Todd Giustiniano Facsimile: (985) 871-9500 |
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(iii) | if to the Issuer or any Guarantor, as follows: |
Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. c/o Gastar Exploration Ltd. 1331 Lamar, Suite 1080 Houston, TX 77010 Attention: Michael Gerlich Facsimile: (713) 739-0458 |
with a copy to:
Vinson & Elkins, LLP 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500 Houston, TX 77002-6760 Attention: James M. Prince Facsimile: (713) 758-2346 |
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 United States mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.
(f) | 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, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Securities. |
(g) | 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. |
(h) | Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. |
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(i) | Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAW. EACH OF THE ISSUERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITS AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH OF THE ISSUERS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH OF THE ISSUERS IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE ISSUERS AT THEIR SAID ADDRESS, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST AN ISSUER IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. |
(j) | 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. |
(k) | Securities Held by the Issuers or their Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Securities is required hereunder, Securities held by the Issuers or their 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. |
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(l) | Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons. |
(m) | Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the Collateral Agreements, 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, understanding, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Initial Purchasers on the one hand and the Issuers 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. |
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Issuer a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Initial Purchasers and the Issuers in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours, | |||
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
GUARANTORS: | |||
GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD. | |||
By: | /s/ MICHAEL A. GERLICH | ||
Name: | Michael A. Gerlich | ||
Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
GASTAR EXPLORATION NEW SOUTH WALES, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | President | ||
GASTAR EXPLORATION VICTORIA, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | President |
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GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | President | ||
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS LP | |||
By: Gastar Exploration Texas LLC, its general partner | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | President | ||
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ J. RUSSELL PORTER | ||
Name: | J. Russell Porter | ||
Title: | Manager & President |
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INITIAL PURCHASERS: | |||
Accepted and Agreed to: | |||
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ DICK A. GOLDENBERG | ||
Name: | Richard A. Goldenberg | ||
Title: | Managing Director | ||
JOHNSON RICE & COMPANY L.L.C. | |||
By: | /s/ GREGORY L. MINER | ||
Name: | Gregory L. Miner | ||
Title: | Member | ||
PRITCHARD CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ TODD GIUSTINIANO | ||
Name: | Todd Giustiniano | ||
Title: | C.O.O. |
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