THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 27, 2012 is among: Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy Fund W, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (collectively, the “Borrowers” and each a “Borrower”); each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto; and Rahr Energy Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
R E C I T A L S
A. Each Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain loans to and extensions of credit on behalf of such Borrower.
B. The Lenders have agreed to make such loans and extensions of credit subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
C. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions and Accounting Matters
Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above. As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.
Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned such term in the preamble.
“Affiliate” means with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated.
“Allocable ORRI Share” means, with respect to any Loan to any Borrower, an amount expressed as a percentage determined by dividing (a) the principal amount of such Loan by (b) such Borrower’s Allocable ORRI Value; provided, however, that the sum of the Allocable ORRI Shares attributable to all Loans made to such Borrower shall never exceed 100%.
“Allocable ORRI Value” means, with respect to any Borrower, an amount equal to (a) such Borrower’s Pro-Rata Share multiplied by (b) 300% of the Total ORRI Value.
“APOD” means the Initial APOD or the Walter APOD, as applicable.
“APOD Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G, to be delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrent with the delivery by the Borrowers of each APOD required to be delivered hereunder.
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender and any Tranche, the percentage of the Total Tranche Commitments represented by such Lender’s Tranche Commitment; provided that if the applicable Tranche Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the applicable Tranche Commitments most recently in effect.
“Approved Petroleum Engineers” means (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and (b) any other independent petroleum engineers chosen by the Borrowers and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 1.01(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to the earlier of (i) the completion of the development activities for the Project Properties in accordance with the Initial APOD and the Walter APOD and (ii) December 31, 2016.
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.
“Borrower” has the meaning assigned such term in the preamble.
“Borrower Net Revenue Interest” means, (a) with respect to each Borrower and each Existing Hydrocarbon Interest, the amount set forth on Schedule 1.01 (a), and (b) with respect to each Borrower and each Hydrocarbon Interest, other than an Existing Hydrocarbon Interest, such Borrower’s gross working interest share of production from such Hydrocarbon Interest less such Borrower’s share of the Existing Production Burdens payable with respect to such production.
“Borrower’s Internal Funding Amount” means with respect to each Borrower the amount set forth on Schedule 1.01(b).
“Borrower’s Pro-Rata Share” with respect to any Borrower means with respect to each Borrower the percentage set forth for such Borrower on Schedule 1.01(c).
“Borrowing” means Loans of the same Tranche, made on the same date.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by any Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
“Capital Expenditure Offsets” means an amount equal to the product of (i) Borrower’s working interest share of Exploratory Costs or Development Costs pursuant to an AFE issued by the operator and (ii) such Borrower’s Fixed Percentage; provided that (y) Capital Expenditure Offsets shall not apply to any Exploratory Costs or Development Costs in excess of $1.8 million per each point of working interest (pre-offset) in the Project Properties owned by such Borrower and (z) no Capital Expenditure Offsets shall be made by Borrower unless and until the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have received from Borrower (A) a schedule describing Borrower’s proposed Capital Expenditure Offset, (B) a copy of the applicable AFE, and (C) any other documentation or information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
“Capital Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of the Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder.
“Cash” means money, currency or a credit balance in any demand or deposit account.
“Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (i) marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government, or (b) issued by any agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator), and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000; and (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a) has at least ninety five percent (95%) of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (b) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000, and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.
“Cash Receipts” means all Cash or Cash Equivalents received by or on behalf of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is proceeds of such Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s ownership or interest in the Project Properties including the following: (a) sales of Hydrocarbons from Oil and Gas Properties, (b) Cash representing operating revenue earned or to be earned from the operation of the Oil and Gas Properties, (c) any proceeds from Swap Agreements resulting from or allocated to the Hydrocarbon Interests, (d) royalty payments and (e) any other Cash or Cash Equivalents received by or on behalf of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries resulting from its ownership of the Oil and Gas Properties; provided that (i) Loans or the proceeds of Loans, (ii) Cash or Cash Equivalents belonging to or received for the credit of third parties, such as royalty, working interest or other interest owners, that are received for transfer or payment to such third parties, and (iii) Cash or Cash Equivalents, if any, received from other working interest owners of the Oil and Gas Properties operated by such Borrower or its Subsidiaries that represent reimbursements or advance payments of joint interest billings to such other working interest owners in each case shall not constitute “Cash Receipts”.
“Casualty Event” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, the Project Properties or any Oil and Gas Properties of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Change in Control” means, with respect to any Borrower, any time Ridgewood Energy Corporation ceases to be the manager of such Borrower.
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor similar authority) or the United States financial regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the sum of such Lender’s Tranche Commitments.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of the directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” such other Person. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, entered into with the bank or securities intermediary at which a deposit account or securities account is maintained by any Borrower.
“Conveyance” means the Conveyance of Overriding Royalty Interest attached hereto as Exhibit F.
“Debt” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person, in each case to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP) where such deferral exceeds nine months; (d) all obligations under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; provided that if not assumed or guaranteed the amount of such Debt shall not exceed the fair market value of the encumbered Property; (g) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss but excluding performance guarantees in connection with the conduct of such Person’s business; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others; (i) obligations to deliver commodities, goods or services, including, without limitation, Hydrocarbons, in consideration of one or more advance payments made more than one (1) month in advance of the month in which the commodities, goods or services are delivered, other than gas balancing arrangements in the ordinary course of business; (j) obligations to pay for goods or services to the extent such goods or services are not actually received or utilized by such Person; (k) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (l) Disqualified Capital Stock; and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment. The Debt of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP.
“Debt to WI Ratio” means, for any Borrower, the ratio of (a) the outstanding principal amount of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, such Borrower’s outstanding Loans as of the Third Amendment Effective Date to (b) such Borrower’s working interest in the Project Properties as of the Third Amendment Effective Date.
“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to timely fund any portion of the Loans required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, (c) has notified the Administrative Agent and/or any Borrower that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other existing agreements under which it commits to extend credit or (d) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
“Development Costs” means the following costs, with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties: (a) all direct costs and expenses incurred in (i) permitting, drilling, testing, evaluating, completing and equipping or plugging and abandoning of wells, and (ii) acquiring and installing platforms, pipelines, separators, heater-treaters, tanks, and other facilities designed for use in the production, handling, or treatment of oil, gas and water and (iii) otherwise developing the Project Properties, and (b) the indirect charges that are applicable to the operations described in the foregoing clause (a) under the terms of any applicable operating agreement, but Development Costs do not include any Exploratory Costs.
“Direction Letter” means a direction letter substantially in the form of Exhibit H.
“Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans or other obligations hereunder outstanding and all of the Commitments are terminated.
“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 6.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02).
“Environmental Laws” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining to health or safety (to the extent relating to Hazardous Materials exposure), the protection of the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is conducting, or at any time has conducted business, or where any Property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is located, including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, those portions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended relating to Hazardous Materials, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.
“Environmental Permit” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.
“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.
“ERISA Affiliate” means each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.
“ERISA Event” means: (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure of a Plan to meet the minimum funding standards under section 412 of the Code or section 302 of ERISA (determined without regard to any waiver of the funding provisions therein or in section 430 of the Code or section 303 of ERISA); (c) the filing pursuant to section 412 of the Code or section 303 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under section 4062(e) of ERISA or with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan (including as a “substantial employer,” as defined in section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or Multiemployer Plan (including the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any Withdrawal Liability); (g) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate of fines, penalties, Taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Code or under section 409, section 502(c), (i), (l) or (m), or section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Plan; or (h) the receipt by the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning the imposition of a Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of section 305 of ERISA, or insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 10.01.
“Excepted Liens” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under real property leases, operating agreements (including the Specified JOAs), joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depository institution; (f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations and other similar encumbrances in any Property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that do not secure any monetary obligations; (g) Liens on Cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (h) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings; (i) Liens created pursuant to the Security Instruments and other Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document after the date hereof and securing the Obligations, (j) defects, irregularities and deficiencies in the title of any rights-of- way or other Property (other than Properties described in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (e) of the definition of Oil and Gas Properties) which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use or value of such rights-of-way or such other Property for the purposes for which such rights-of-way and such other Property are held by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower, and defects, irregularities and deficiencies in title to any Property of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower, which defects, irregularities or deficiencies have been cured by possession under applicable statutes of limitation; (k) any obligations or duties affecting any Property to any Governmental Authority with respect to any oil and gas lease, franchise, grant, license or permit that do not materially impair the use of such Property for the purposes for which it is held or that arise by virtue of an event that is beyond the reasonable control of the applicable Borrower; and (l) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default; provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced.
“Excess Cash Flow” means for any Borrower, any platform-related revenues, production handling fees, and other additional revenues received by such Borrower with respect to the use of the Project Properties other than (a) any revenues included in the calculation of Net Revenues of such Borrower, (b) any proceeds received from a sale or transfer of any interest in the Project Properties permitted by Section 9.05, and (c) the proceeds of any Casualty Event that are not reinvested by such Borrower in accordance with Section 3.03(c)(i).
“Excess Cash Flow Application Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03(c)(ii).
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income or profits (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires its applicable ownership interest in the Loan or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 5.01, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender's assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.01(e) and (d) any U.S. federal Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“Existing Hydrocarbon Interest” means each Hydrocarbon Interest described in Schedule 1.01(h).
“Existing Production Burdens” means (i) with respect to any Borrower and any Hydrocarbon Interest owned by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, the aggregate amount royalties, overriding royalties and similar burdens on production from such Hydrocarbon Interest to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are subject on the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to any Borrower and any Hydrocarbon Interest acquired by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, the aggregate amount royalties, overriding royalties and similar burdens on production from such Hydrocarbon Interest to which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are subject on the date of acquisition of such Hydrocarbon Interest by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Exploratory Costs” means all costs and expenses incurred in (a) the acquisition of Hydrocarbon Interests, (b) the maintenance of Hydrocarbon Interests, (c) the acquisition, licensing and evaluation of seismic data, and (d) the drilling of any well designated as an exploratory well by the operator of such well; provided, that Exploratory Costs shall not include any costs or expenses incurred in the subsequent completion of such well or any other development operation in respect of such well undertaken to obtain production therefrom.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System of the United States arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such Transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
“Financial Officer” means, for any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.
“Financial Statements” means the financial statement or statements of each Borrower referred to in Section 7.04(a).
“Fixed Percentage” means with respect to each Borrower (a) beginning on the Third Amendment Effective Date up to and including March 31, 2019, the percentage set forth on Schedule 1.01(i) based on such Borrower’s Debt to WI Ratio as of the Third Amendment Effective Date and (b) beginning on April 1, 2019 and each April 1st thereafter, the greater of (i) the percentage set forth on Schedule 1.01(i) based on such Borrower’s Debt to WI Ratio as of the Third Amendment Effective Date or (ii) the Fixed Reassessment Percentage.
“Fixed Reassessment Percentage” means the percentage obtained when dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, such Borrower’s outstanding Loans as of April 1st by (b) the undiscounted cash flow profile from such date through December 31, 2022 of the Borrowers, calculated using the Pricing Assumptions, as prepared by Borrowers and approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, using eighty (80%) percent of Proved Reserves and Probable Reserves (each as defined in the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor)) as set forth in the Reserve Report prepared by an Approved Petroleum Engineer as of December 31st most recently delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(a).
“Force Majeure” means any event which (a) renders it impossible to produce, transport or market production from the Project Properties, (b) is beyond the reasonable control of the operator of the applicable facilities, (c) and is not due to fault or negligence of the operator of the applicable facilities, and (d) cannot be avoided by the exercise of due diligence and the expenditure of a reasonable sum of money. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in sections (a) through (d) above, Force Majeure shall include, without limitation:
(i) fires or serious accidents affecting wells, platforms, pipelines, processing plants or other equipment or facilities,
(ii) hurricanes and other exceptional meteorological conditions;
(iii) cataclysms, declared or undeclared wars, acts of the public enemy, sabotage, terrorist acts, commercial embargoes, demonstrations, civil disturbances, revolts and insurrections, and
(iv) the impossibility of the operator of any well or facility, despite its best efforts, to obtain in a timely and appropriate manner any license, permit or other governmental authorization necessary to enable such operate to conduct operations with respect to such well or facility.
Force Majeure shall not include (1) insufficient reserves, (2) insufficient productive capability of reservoirs, (3) economic hardship, (4) changes in market conditions, or (5) late delivery of machinery, equipment, materials, spare parts, or consumable goods except when such late delivery is due to Force Majeure.
“Foreign Lender” means (a) with respect to a Borrower that is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) with respect to a Borrower that is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“GAAP” means the International Financial Reporting Standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1.05.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Governmental Requirement” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, rules of common law, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, of any Governmental Authority.
“Hazardous Material” means any substance regulated or as to which liability may arise under any applicable Environmental Law including: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste, crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, infectious or medical waste.
“Highest Lawful Rate” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Obligations under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.
“Hydrocarbon Interests” means with respect to any Borrower, all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in and to oil and gas leases, overriding royalty interests, net profit interests, production payment interests and other interests, including any reserved or residual interests of any nature, in each case covering all or any portion of any Project Property. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Hydrocarbon Interests” shall mean Hydrocarbon Interests of the Borrower and/or the Subsidiaries, as the context requires.
“Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of a Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 12.03(b).
“Information” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 12.11.
“Initial APOD” means the initial approved plan of development of the Project Properties and all related Hydrocarbon Interests, which shall consist of the following: (i) the fabrication and installation of a nine slot fixed leg platform and related production facilities and export pipelines designed to handle at a minimum the expected production from wells A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 described in the Walter APOD, and (ii) the drilling, completion and equipping for production of wells A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 described in the Walter APOD, as the same may be updated and approved from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“Initial Reserve Report” means the report of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., dated as of June 6, 2012, with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as of May 1, 2012.
“Investment” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including, without limitation, any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Debt of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding one-hundred eighty (180) days representing the purchase price of inventory or supplies sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person that constitutes a business unit or (d) the entering into of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation (including the deposit of any Equity Interests to be sold) with respect to, Debt or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person.
“Knowledge” means the actual knowledge, without any obligation to make any inquiry or investigation of any (i) person who is not an employee or officer of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower or (ii) record or file not in the possession or control of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Borrower, of the following representatives of the Borrowers: Robert Swanson, Matthew Swanson, Kenny Lang, Joe Morris, Pete Zwart, and Kathleen McSherry.
“Lender ORRI” means an overriding royalty interest conveyed or deemed conveyed to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.17(a), (b) or (c).
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Annex I and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.
“Lien” means (a) any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (i) the lien or security interest arising from a deed of trust, mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (ii) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties and (b) easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.
“Liquidate” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, the sale, assignment, novation, unwind or termination of all or any part of such Swap Agreement or the creation of an offsetting position against all or any part of such Swap Agreement. The term “Liquidated” has a correlative meaning thereto.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes and the Security Instruments.
“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that as of January 1, 2017, Loans means, at any point in time, the total outstanding balance of all loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower.
“Majority Lenders” means, for any Tranche, at any time while no Loans of such Tranche are outstanding, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Tranche Commitments of such Tranche; and at any time while any Loans of such Tranche are outstanding, Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Tranche (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 1.01(d)). The Loans, Tranche Exposure, and Tranche Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Majority Lenders at any time.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the Project Properties, or the operations or condition of such Project Properties but excluding changes in commodity prices affecting other investors in substantially similar fashion, (b) the ability of the applicable Borrower to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document.
“Material Indebtedness” means Debt (other than the Loans), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value of such Swap Agreement.
“Maturity Date” means December 31, 2022.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.
“Monthly Payment Amount” means, for any Borrower and any Monthly Payment Date, an amount equal to the product of (a) such Borrower's Fixed Percentage and (b) such Borrower’s Net Revenues for the applicable Monthly Payment Date.
“Monthly Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each calendar month, the first being October 31, 2016.
“Mortgaged Property” means any Property owned by the Borrower which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Instruments.
“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Net Revenues” means, for any Borrower on any Monthly Payment Date, all proceeds payable to such Borrower from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced during the second calendar month preceding the calendar month in which such Monthly Payment Date occurs, less Borrower’s share of (i) Existing Production Burdens payable with respect to such production, (ii) Operating Costs incurred by such Borrower with respect to such production (and which have not been funded out of prior production proceeds from the Project Properties), and (iii) Capital Expenditure Offsets.
“Notes” means the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.02(c) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.
“Obligations” means any and all amounts owing or to be owing by the applicable Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising) to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or each Related Party of any of the foregoing under any Loan Document and all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the above.
“Oil and Gas Properties” means the following: (a) the Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property related to the Hydrocarbon Interests (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing related to the Hydrocarbon Interests. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Oil and Gas Properties” shall mean Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and/or the Subsidiaries, as the context requires.
“Operating Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.18.
“Operating Account Bank” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.18.
“Operating Costs” means (a) all direct costs and expenses incurred pursuant to the terms of any applicable operating agreement in connection with operating and maintaining wells, equipment and facilities located on or used in connection with the Project Properties, handling, marketing, transporting or disposing of the production from the Project Properties and (b) the indirect charges that are applicable to the operations described in the foregoing clause (a) under the terms of any applicable operating agreement.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.
“Overriding Royalty Percentage” means, with respect to any Borrower for any Hydrocarbon Interest, the product of (a) the Borrower’s Borrower Net Revenue Interest in the applicable Hydrocarbon Interest and (b) the percentage for such Borrower set forth in Schedule 1.01(f).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA) that is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA, section 412 of the Code or section 302 of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), and in respect of which the applicable Borrower, any Subsidiary of such Borrower, or any ERISA Affiliate may have liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer pursuant to section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under section 4069 of ERISA.
“Pricing Assumptions” means the methodology for determining present value or undiscounted cash flow outlined on the attached Exhibit J.
“Production Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.16.
“Project Properties” means the following blocks located in the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico: Ewing Bank Block 834, Ewing Bank Block 790, Ewing Bank Block 789, Ewing Bank Block 835, and Mississippi Canyon Block 793.
“Property” or “Properties” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, and (b) any Lender, as applicable.
“Redemption” means with respect to any Debt, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of such Debt. “Redeem” has the correlative meaning thereto.
“Register” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 1.01(c).
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.
“Remaining Allocable ORRI Share” means with respect to any Borrower at any time the difference between 100% and the aggregate Allocable ORRI Share with respect to the Loans theretofore made to it.
“Remedial Work” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 8.10(a).
“Required Lenders” means, at any time while no Loans are outstanding, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Facility Amount; and at any time while any Loans of such Tranche are outstanding, Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Total Credit Exposure (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 1.01(d)). The Loans, Tranche Exposure, and Tranche Commitment of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Majority Lenders at any time.
“Reserve Report” means a report setting forth the estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, Taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of the date of such report, based upon the pricing assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at such date delivered (a) on each March 31 with respect to the preceding year ended December 31 prepared by an Approved Petroleum Engineer and (b) delivered on each September 30 with respect to the preceding six (6) month period ended June 30, prepared by the Borrowers.
“Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, the President, any Financial Officer or Finance Director or any Vice President of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein means a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.
“Second Amendment Effective Date” means September 15, 2017.
“Security Instruments” means the security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit D, and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Person (other than participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any Obligations pursuant to this Agreement) in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Obligations, the Notes, or this Agreement, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.
“Specified JOAs” means the agreements set forth on Schedule 9.12.
“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated Financial Statements if such Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other Person of which Equity Interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (irrespective of whether or not at the time Equity Interests of any other class or classes of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) or, in the case of a partnership, any general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the applicable Borrower.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement, other than contracts for the sale and physical delivery of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business, with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these Transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined by the counterparties to such Swap Agreements.
“Synthetic Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the Financial Statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 80% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Termination Date” means for any Borrower the earlier of the (i) Maturity Date or (ii) the date on which the Tranche Commitments for such Borrower’s Tranche are terminated and the principal of such Borrower’s Loans are declared to be due and payable pursuant to Section 10.02.
“Third Amendment Effective Date” means September 1, 2018.
“Total Credit Exposure” means the sum of Total Tranche Exposure for all Tranches.
“Total Facility Amount” means the sum of Total Tranche Commitments for all Tranches.
“Total ORRI Value” means $7,030,000.
“Total Tranche Commitment” means with respect to any Tranche, the sum of all Lenders’ Tranche Commitments for such Tranche.
“Total Tranche Exposure” means with respect to any Tranche, the sum of all Lenders’ Tranche Exposure for such Tranche at such time.
“Tranche” means, with respect to any Borrower, the Tranche Commitments and the Loans made to such Borrower by the Lenders.
“Tranche Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans hereunder, to a Borrower, in the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name for the applicable Borrower on Annex I.
“Tranche Exposure” means with respect to any Lender for any Tranche, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans for such Tranche at such time.
“Transactions” means, with respect to each Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by such Borrower of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, and the grant of Liens by such Borrower on Mortgaged Properties and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.
“U.S. Borrower” means any Borrower that is a U.S. Person.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 1.01(a)(i)(B)(3).
“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56), as amended.
“Walter APOD” means the approved plan of development attached hereto as Schedule 8.16, as the same may from time to time be updated and approved from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“Withholding Agent” means any Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of any Borrower of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the applicable Borrower or one or more of such Borrower’s Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or are owned by such Borrower and one or more of such Borrower’s Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Title IV of ERISA.
Section 1.03 Tranches of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings, respectively, may be classified and referred to by Tranche.
Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (b) any reference herein to any law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to and including”, (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (g) condensate shall be treated as if it is oil for purposes of all milestones, production schedules and any other representation, warranty or covenant, that refers to or is calculated with reference to the production of oil, in order to give full credit to the amount of condensate production in any such reference or calculation. No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.
Section 1.05 Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all Financial Statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements except for changes in which the applicable Borrower’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to the Administrative Agent on the next date on which Financial Statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(a); provided that, unless the applicable Borrower and the Majority Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing, no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants contained herein is computed such that all such computations shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented consistently with prior periods; provided further that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article IX or any requirement set forth in any Loan Document or any definition used therein to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant, requirement or definition (or if the Administrative Agent notifies such Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article IX or any other Loan Document for such purposes), then such Borrower’s compliance with such covenant or requirements shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant or requirement or definition is amended in a manner satisfactory to such Borrower and the Majority Lenders.
ARTICLE II
The Credits
Section 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Loans to each Borrower during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Tranche Exposure with respect to such Borrower exceeding such Lender’s Tranche Commitment with respect to such Borrower, (b) the Total Tranche Exposure for any Tranche exceeding the Total Tranche Commitments for such Tranche, or (c) the Total Credit Exposure exceeding the Total Facility Amount. The proceeds of the Loans to each Borrower will be used solely by such Borrower (i) first, to fund Development Costs of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Initial APOD; (ii) if after completion of the operations contemplated by the Initial APOD a Lender’s Tranche Exposure with respect to such Borrower is less than such Lender’s Tranche Commitment with respect to such Borrower, to fund additional Development Costs of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Walter APOD; (iii) to fund expenses of the Lenders through the Effective Date for which such Borrower is responsible under the terms of this Agreement. Prior to or contemporaneously with the funding of each Loan requested by Borrower, such Borrower shall have funded from sources other than the proceeds of the Loans aggregate Development Costs, including the Development Costs to be funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the requested Loan, of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Initial APOD, or Walter APOD, as applicable, since the Effective Date in an amount not less than such Borrower’s Internal Funding Amount of such aggregate Development Costs, including the Development Costs to be funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the requested Loan. For the avoidance of doubt, all Loans shall be funded in dollars.
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.
(a) Borrowings; Several Obligations. Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans under the same Tranche made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Tranche Commitments under the applicable Tranche and must occur on the first Business Day of a calendar month. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Tranche Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings. Each Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $500,000; provided that a Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Total Tranche Commitment for such Tranche.
(c) Notes. Any Lender may request that Loans made by it under any Tranche be evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower for such Tranche in substantially the form of Exhibit A, dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, as of the Effective Date of the Assignment and Assumption, payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Tranche Commitment as in effect on such date for the applicable Tranche, and otherwise duly completed. In the event that any Lender’s Tranche Commitment under the applicable Tranche increases or decreases for any reason (whether pursuant to Section 2.05, Section 1.01(b) or otherwise), upon the request of such Lender, the applicable Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered on the Effective Date of such increase or decrease, a new Note payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Tranche Commitment for the applicable Tranche after giving effect to such increase or decrease, and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, and interest rate of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be endorsed by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the applicable Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, a Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by e-mail, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, such notice to be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in substantially the form of Exhibit B and signed by such Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(a) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(b) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(c) the current Total Credit Exposure (without regard to the requested Borrowing) and the pro forma Total Credit Exposure (giving effect to the requested Borrowing);
(d) the current Total Tranche Exposure (without regard to the requested Borrowing) and the pro forma Total Tranche Exposure (giving effect to the requested Borrowing);
(e) except for Borrowings requested to pay expenses of the Lenders, the Development Costs to be funded by the proceeds of such requested Borrowing and the other sources of funding for such Development Costs;
(f) except for Borrowings requested to pay expenses of the Lenders, that such Development Costs were incurred in accordance with the APOD or if all operations contemplated by the APOD have been completed that such Development Costs were incurred in accordance with the Walter APOD;
(g) except for Borrowings requested to pay expenses of the Lenders, the aggregate amount of Development Costs of the Project Properties incurred by Borrower in accordance with the Initial APOD, or Walter APOD, as applicable, since the Effective Date funded (or to be funded contemporaneously with the funding of the requested Borrowing) by Borrower from sources other than the proceeds of the Loans, and that such aggregate amount of Development Costs is not less than such Borrower’s Internal Funding Amount;
(h) that attached thereto is a copy of the joint interest billing statement(s) under the applicable Specified JOA for the Development Costs to be funded with the proceeds of the requested Borrowing; and
(i) the Borrower shall certify that, as of the date of such certification, the remaining Tranche Commitments of the Lenders hereunder, together with other funds available to the Borrower (including internal sources of capital), are sufficient to enable the Borrower to pay in full, on a timely basis, its share of the remaining Development Costs then expected to be incurred to complete the Initial APOD; and
(j) if the Borrowing is requested to pay expenses of the Lenders through the Effective Date for which such Borrower is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the amount of such expenses.
Each Borrowing Request shall constitute a representation that the amount of the requested Borrowing shall not cause the Total Tranche Exposure to exceed the Total Tranche Commitments for such Tranche.
Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
Section 2.04 Funding of Borrowings. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the applicable Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to the Operating Account. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner.
Section 2.05 Termination of Credit Amounts. Unless previously terminated, the Tranche Commitments shall terminate at the expiration of the Availability Period. If at any time the Total Tranche Commitments for any Tranche are terminated or reduced to zero, then such Tranche Commitments shall terminate on the Effective Date of such termination or reduction.
ARTICLE III
Payments of Principal and Interest; Prepayments; Fees
Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Monthly Payments. Until the outstanding unpaid principal of and accrued unpaid interest on the Loans have been repaid in full, each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders on each Monthly Payment Date the sum of the applicable Monthly Payment Amount for such month to the account in New York City designated in writing from time to time by the Administrative Agent.
(b) Termination Date. Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders on the Termination Date, the then unpaid principal amount and all accrued and unpaid interest of each Loan.
Section 3.02 Interest.
(a) Base Interest Rate. The total outstanding balance of each Borrower’s Loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to the amount set forth on Schedule 3.02 based on such Borrower’s Debt to WI Ratio as of the Third Amendment Effective Date.
(b) Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by a Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, then such overdue amount and all accrued interest for such Borrower, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) plus the rate applicable to Loans as provided in Section 3.02(a), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(c) Interest and Principal Payments. Each Monthly Payment Amount shall be applied first to accrued and unpaid interest and then to the payment of outstanding principal. Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Monthly Payment Date to the extent of the Monthly Payment Amount then due and payable and on the Termination Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(b) shall be payable on demand and (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.
(d) Interest Rate Computations. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year).
Section 3.03 Prepayments.
(a) Optional Prepayments. Each Borrower shall have the right on any Monthly Payment Date to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.03(b).
(b) Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment. Each Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or electronic communication) of any prepayment hereunder not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the applicable Monthly Payment Date. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.
(c) Mandatory Prepayments.
(i) If any Borrower shall receive net cash proceeds as the result of any Casualty Event in any calendar year in excess of $250,000, then, within two-hundred seventy (270) days of such receipt, such Borrower may reinvest all or a portion of such net cash proceeds in the repair or replacement of the damaged, destroyed or taken portion of the Project Properties or Oil and Gas Properties; provided, that any net cash proceeds not reinvested within such period must be applied toward the prepayment of the Loans of such Borrower.
(ii) If, for any calendar month any Borrower receives Excess Cash Flow, such Borrower shall, on the relevant Excess Cash Flow Application Date, apply such Excess Cash Flow toward the prepayment of the Loans of such Borrower. Each such prepayment and commitment reduction shall be made on the Monthly Payment Date which occurs in the calendar month following the calendar month in which Borrower receives such Excess Cash Flow (an “Excess Cash Flow Application Date”).
(iii) Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.03(c) shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowings. Prepayments pursuant to this Section 3.03(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.
(iv) If upon the last day of any “accrual period” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1272-1(b)(1)(ii)) ending after the fifth anniversary of the date of a Borrowing (a “Testing Date”) the aggregate amount of interest which would be includible in gross income with respect to the Loans comprising such Borrowing before the close of such Testing Date exceeds an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of interest to be paid with respect to such Loans before the close of such Testing Date (determined without regard to the payment required pursuant to this provision) and (B) the product of (1) the “issue price” (as defined in Section 1273(b) of the Code) of such Loans and (2) the “yield to maturity” (interpreted in accordance with Section 163(i)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code) of such Loans, an amount in cash equal to such excess shall be paid by the applicable Borrower on such Loans. The intent of the immediately foregoing proviso is that an applicable Borrower shall be obligated to make payments under the Loans of such Borrower such that no payment shall be deferred beyond a date that would result in such Loans being treated as an “applicable high yield debt obligation” under Sections 163(e)(5) and 163(i) of the Code and shall be interpreted consistently with such intent.
(d) No Premium or Penalty. Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 3.03 shall be without premium or penalty, except to the extent the conveyance of a Lender ORRI would constitute a premium or penalty as provided in Section 8.17(c).
ARTICLE IV
Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a) Payments by the Borrowers. Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01 or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in Section 12.01, and except that payments pursuant to Section 5.01 and Section 12.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(b) Application of Insufficient Payments. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.
(c) Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for Cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to such Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.
Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the applicable Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the applicable Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
Section 4.03 Payments and Deductions by the Administrative Agent. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 4.02, Section 5.01(f) or Section 12.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (a) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (b) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds. The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrowers unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the applicable Lenders of all of each Borrower’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Obligations and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to such Borrower and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to such Borrower.
Section 4.05 Defaulting Lenders; Removal of Lenders.
(a) Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(i) such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Majority Lenders and Required Lenders; and
(ii) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article X or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the applicable Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the applicable Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the applicable Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender's breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Tranche Commitments under the applicable. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 4.05(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Tranche Commitments under the applicable Tranche, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the applicable Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
(c) Removal of Lender. If at any time any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the applicable Borrower may, on ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice in the case of clause (i) below, or 20 Business Days’ notice in the case of clause (ii) below, to the Administrative Agent, to Rahr Energy Investments LLC and to such Lender, either (i) replace such Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Section 12.04(b) (with the assignment fee to be paid by the Borrower in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more replacement Lenders, or (ii) require Rahr Energy Investments LLC to satisfy the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender either (a) by replacing such Defaulting Lender with a third party selected by Rahr Energy Investments LLC, or (b) by purchasing at par the Defaulting Lender’s interests herein and assuming and performing the Commitments and other obligations so purchased. Notwithstanding any other term or provision of this Agreement, no assignment by Rahr Energy Investments LLC, under Section 12.04 hereof or otherwise, shall release or discharge Rahr Energy Investments LLC from its obligations under this Section 4.05.
(d) Duties of Exiting Lender. Any Lender being replaced pursuant to Section 4.05 shall (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender’s Commitment, and (ii) deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to each applicable Borrower or Administrative Agent. Pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption, (i) the assignee Lender shall acquire all or a portion, as the case may be, of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans and participations, (ii) all obligations of each applicable Borrower owing to the assigning Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such assigning Lender concurrently with such assignment and assumption and (iii) upon such payment and, if so requested by the assignee Lender, delivery to the assignee Lender of the appropriate Note or Notes executed by such Borrower, the assignee Lender shall become a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder with respect to such assigned Loans, Commitments and participations, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which shall survive as to such assigning Lender.
ARTICLE V
Taxes; Mitigation Obligations
Section 5.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall make such deduction or withholding and timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after making such deduction or withholding (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers. Each Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrowers. Each Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.01) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate of the Administrative Agent or a Lender as to the amount of such payment or liability under this Section 5.01 shall be delivered to such Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Recipient shall be indemnified for any Indemnified Taxes under this Section 5.01 unless such Recipient shall make written demand on such Borrower for such reimbursement no later than six months after the earlier of (i) the date on which the relevant Governmental Authority makes written demand upon such Recipient for such Indemnified Taxes, and (ii) the date on which such Recipient has made payment of such Indemnified Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that if the Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted giving rise to such claims are retroactive, then the 6-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the retroactive effect thereof.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders.
(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 5.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to each U.S. Borrower:
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form);
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871 (h)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor form); or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form), IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor form), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-2 or Exhibit I-3, IRS Form W- 9 (or any successor form), and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-4 on behalf of each such partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit such Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for such Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of such Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.04(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (f).
(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.01 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.01), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 5.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Designation of Different Lending Office. If any Lender requires any Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 5.01, then such Lender shall (at the request of the applicable Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.01 in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. The applicable Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent
Section 6.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all fees and amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Vinson & Elkins LLP, counsel to the Administrative Agent).
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Borrower each setting forth resolutions of the members, its board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of such Borrower to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the Transactions contemplated in those documents, the officers of such Borrower (i) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Borrower is a party and (ii) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions contemplated hereby, specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and the limited liability company agreement, the articles or certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other applicable organizational documents of such Borrower, certified as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from such Borrower to the contrary.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of each Borrower in such jurisdiction.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a compliance certificate which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C (except with respect to section (e) thereof), duly and properly executed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower and dated as of the Effective Date.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed Notes payable to each Lender requesting a Note in a principal amount up to its Tranche Commitment dated as of the date hereof for each Tranche.
(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create or will create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens and the matters set forth in Section 6.01(i)) on the Oil and Gas Properties of each Borrower.
(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of (i) Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., special counsel to the Borrowers, (ii) in-house counsel of each Borrower and (iii) local counsel in any other jurisdictions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received title information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth the status of title to all of the Hydrocarbon Interests evaluated in the Initial Reserve Report, and the results thereof shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion, it being acknowledged hereby that with respect to documentation of the Borrowers’ title to their respective interests (as set forth in Schedule 1.01(a)) in Ewing Bank Block 790 and Mississippi Canyon Block 793, satisfactory documentation shall consist of documentation (reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) evidencing delivery to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement for filing, of assignments of each such Borrower’s interests therein.
(j) The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the environmental condition of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.
(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Borrower certifying that such Borrower has received all consents and approvals required by Section 7.03.
(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Financial Statements referred to in Section 7.04(a), and the Initial Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate covering the matters described in Section 8.12(b).
(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (other than Excepted Liens) in the States of Delaware and Louisiana; other than those being released on or prior to the Effective Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.01.
(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy, certified by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower as true and complete, of each of the Specified JOAs (in each case, together with all amendments or supplements thereto, and all agreements that have the effect of amending, modifying or supplementing any such Specified JOA, if any, through the Effective Date).
(o) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that all Liens on the Oil and Gas Properties (other than Excepted Liens) have been released or terminated or assigned to the Administrative Agent, subject only to the filing of applicable terminations, releases or assignments.
(p) The Administrative Agent shall have received a pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the making of the initial Loans hereunder, the application of the proceeds thereof and the other Transactions contemplated to occur on the Effective Date, certified by such Borrower’s chief financial officer as having been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions and with customary qualifications, and demonstrating a positive working capital position (after all transaction fees are paid) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(q) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received, and be reasonably satisfied in form and substance with, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including but not restricted to the USA PATRIOT Act.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 12.02) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 31, 2013 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied, extended or waived, the Lenders shall have the option to terminate the Commitments by written notice to the Borrowers).
Section 6.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (including the initial funding) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing no event, development or circumstance has occurred or shall then exist that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect (but excluding changes in commodity prices).
(c) The representations and warranties of the applicable Borrower set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent any such representations and warranties are limited by materiality, in which case, they shall be true and correct in all respects (subject to materiality qualifications set forth in such representation or warranty, if any)) on and as of the date of such Borrowing except (i) to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such Borrowing, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct as of such specified earlier date and (ii) until the earlier to occur of (1) the Administrative Agent having received documentation, reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent that evidences such Borrower’s possession of defensible title and to the interests of such Borrower in Ewing Bank Block 790 and Mississippi Canyon Block 793 and (2) such time as the aggregate amount of Loans borrowed hereunder by the Borrowers exceeds $15,000,000, the representations and warranties of Section 7.16, only as such representations and warranties relate to such Borrower’s interests in Ewing Bank Block 790 and Mississippi Canyon Block 793, will not be deemed made by any Borrower.
(d) The making of such Loan would not violate, or cause any Lender to violate or exceed, any applicable Governmental Requirement, and no Change in Law, except for any amendment or other modification to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith, that would have a Material Adverse Effect, shall have occurred, and no litigation shall be pending or threatened, which does or, with respect to any threatened litigation, seeks to, enjoin, prohibit or restrain, the making or repayment of any Loan or the consummation of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(e) The receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.03.
(f) Upon the making of such Loan, the applicable Borrower will have all funds necessary to fund its portion of the development of the Project Properties for which such funds are being requested.
(g) The information set forth in the applicable Borrowing Request shall be true and correct.
Each request for a Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in Section 6.02(a) through(g).
ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties
Each Borrower represents and warrants severally on behalf of itself to the Lenders that:
Section 7.01 Organization; Powers. Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept applies) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite limited liability company power and authority, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such power, authority, licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and qualifications could not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability. The Transactions are within such Borrower’s limited liability company powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company and, if required, equity holder action. Each Loan Document to which such Borrower is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person (including holders of its Equity Interests or any class of directors, managers or supervisors, as applicable, whether interested or disinterested, of such Borrower or any other Person), nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the Transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than the recording and filing of the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Oil and Gas Properties, and (c) will not violate or result in a Default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Oil and Gas Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Oil and Gas Property of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).
Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.
(a) Such Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 certified by its chief financial officer. Such Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of such Borrower as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the unaudited quarterly Financial Statements.
(b) Since December 31, 2011 there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (provided that any change in non-cash charges or expenses accrued by such Borrower to meet ceiling test levels in conformity with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X article 4-10(C)(4), in and of itself shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Section 7.04(b)).
Section 7.05 Litigation.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.05, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the Knowledge of such Borrower, threatened against or affecting such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.
(b) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed in Schedule 7.05 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.06 Environmental Matters. Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 7.06 or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) to such Borrower’s Knowledge, such Borrower, its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Oil and Gas Properties are, and have been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws within all applicable statute of limitation periods;
(b) to such Borrower’s Knowledge, the operator of each Oil and Gas Property has attained all material Environmental Permits required for the operation of each such Oil and Gas Property that such operator operates, with all such material Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and neither such Borrower nor its Subsidiaries have received any written notice or otherwise has Knowledge that any such existing material Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any material new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing material Environmental Permit will be protested or denied;
(c) there are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or, to such Borrower’s Knowledge, threatened against such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Oil and Gas Properties or as a result of any operations at such Oil and Gas Properties;
(d) to such Borrower’s Knowledge, (i) there has been no Release or, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any of such Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals, or monitorings of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws at such Oil and Gas Properties and (iii) none of such Oil and Gas Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real property;
(e) neither such Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real properties offsite such Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties and, to such Borrower’s Knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice;
(f) to such Borrower’s Knowledge, (i) there has been no exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of any of such Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation, and (ii) there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of notice regarding such exposure; and
(g) such Borrower and its Subsidiaries have provided to the Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and material correspondence on environmental matters (including matters relating to any alleged non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws) that are in such Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ possession or control and relating to their respective Oil and Gas Properties or operations thereon.
Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults.
(a) Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Project Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Project Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Project Property and the conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither such Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in Default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a Default or would require such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to Redeem or make any offer to Redeem under any indenture, note, credit agreement or credit instrument pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness is outstanding or by which such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Project Properties is bound.
(c) No Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 7.08 Investment Company Act. Neither such Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 7.09 Taxes. Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of such Borrower in respect of Taxes are adequate in accordance with GAAP. No Tax Lien has been filed on any of the assets of such Borrower and, to the knowledge of such Borrower, no claim is being asserted against such Borrower by any Governmental Authority with respect to any unpaid Tax.
Section 7.10 ERISA. Except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (b) neither such Borrower, any Subsidiary of such Borrower, nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute to, or has any other absolute or contingent liability in respect of, any Multiemployer Plan; (c) such Borrower, each Subsidiary of such Borrower, and each ERISA Affiliate has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan; (d) neither such Borrower, any Subsidiary of such Borrower, nor any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make any contribution or payment to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or made any amendment to any Plan that has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Code; and (e) neither such Borrower, any Subsidiary of such Borrower, nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under section 4007 of ERISA that are not past due. The actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of the end of such Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal year, exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by a material amount, and the sum of such excesses for all such Plans is not material. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA. The expected post retirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Accounting Codification 715, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of such Borrower, the Subsidiaries of such Borrower, and any ERISA Affiliates is not material.
Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements. Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent true, correct and complete copies of all oil and gas leases, operating agreements, farm-out agreements, unitization and/or pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, conveyances or reservations of overriding royalty interests, net profits interests, production payments or other similar interests, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and/or natural gas, processing agreements, and other agreements pertaining to its interest in the Oil and Gas Properties and the Hydrocarbons produced therefrom, including the agreements and instruments described in Schedule 1.01(g). Borrower has disclosed to Administrative Agent all other matters known to it that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the other reports, Financial Statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), taken together as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, (i) with respect to projected financial information, projected production data and geological and geographical data and engineering projections, such Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of such preparation, and (ii) no representation is made in respect of general economic or general industry conditions. To such Borrower’s Knowledge, there are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that such Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.
Section 7.12 Insurance. Such Borrower has, and has caused all of its Subsidiaries to have, (a) all insurance policies sufficient for its compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk that are customarily insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders have been named as additional insureds in respect of such liability insurance policies but only to the extent pertaining to the Oil and Gas Properties.
Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens. Neither such Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.01, but then only on the Project Property subject of such Capital Leases), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of the Oil and Gas Properties to secure the Obligations and the Loan Documents.
Section 7.14 Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14, (a) such Borrower has no Subsidiaries, (b) such Borrower has no Foreign Subsidiaries, and (c) each Subsidiary of such Borrower is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.
Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices. Each of such Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.14 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(j)).
Section 7.16 Properties; Titles, Etc. Except as set forth in Section 6.02(c):
(a) Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good and defensible title to their respective Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (other than those disposed of in compliance with Section 9.05 since the delivery of such Reserve Report) free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.01. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, such Borrower or such Subsidiary specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and the ownership of such Oil and Gas Properties shall not in any material respect obligate such Borrower or such Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Oil and Gas Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Oil and Gas Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in such Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such Oil and Gas Property.
(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries related to the Oil and Gas Properties are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no Default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a Default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed related to the Oil and Gas Properties by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit such Borrower and its Subsidiaries to conduct their business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the date hereof.
(d) All of the Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries related to the Oil and Gas Properties which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent industry standards except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to its business, and the use thereof by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries or the operator of the applicable Oil and Gas Property either owns or has valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used by it in relation to the Oil and Gas Properties as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.17 Maintenance of Properties. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, to such Borrower’s Knowledge, the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been maintained, operated and developed by the operator of such Oil and Gas Properties in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental Requirements and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, to such Borrower’s Knowledge, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (ii) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental Requirements, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties) of such Borrower or such Subsidiary. To such Borrower’s Knowledge, all pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained by such operator in a state adequate to conduct normal operations (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.17 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 7.18 Gas Imbalances, Prepayments. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.18 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(b), to such Borrower’s Knowledge, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding one half bcf of gas (on an mcf equivalent basis) in the aggregate.
Section 7.19 Marketing of Production. Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.19, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (with respect to all of which contracts such Borrower represents that it or any of its Subsidiaries are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), to such Borrower’s Knowledge, no material agreements exist with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties which are not cancelable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from such Borrower’s or such Subsidiaries’ Hydrocarbons (including, without limitation, calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (b) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date hereof.
Section 7.20 Swap Agreements. Schedule 7.20, as of the date hereof, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by such Borrower pursuant to Section 8.01(e), sets forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements entered into with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.
Section 7.21 Use of Loans. The proceeds of the Loans will be used solely by such Borrower (i) first, to fund Development Costs of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Initial APOD; (ii) if after completion of the operations contemplated by the Initial APOD a Lender’s Tranche Exposure with respect to such Borrower is less than such Lender’s Tranche Commitment with respect to such Borrower, to fund additional Development Costs of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Walter APOD; (iii) to fund expenses of the Lenders through the Effective Date for which such Borrower is responsible under the terms of this Agreement. Prior to or contemporaneously with the funding of each Loan requested by Borrower, such Borrower shall have funded from sources other than the proceeds of the Loans aggregate Development Costs, including the Development Costs to be funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the requested Loan, of the Project Properties incurred in accordance with the Initial APOD, or Walter APOD, as applicable, since the Effective Date in an amount not less than such Borrower’s Internal Funding Amount of such aggregate Development Costs, including the Development Costs to be funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the requested Loan. Such Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board). No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.
Section 7.22 Solvency. After giving effect to the Transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Debt of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as the Debt becomes absolute and matures, (b) each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of Cash to be received by each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.
Section 7.23 OFAC. Neither such Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, is currently subject to any material U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, and such Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
ARTICLE VIII
Affirmative Covenants
Except with respect to Section 8.17, as provided in Section 12.05, until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents, other than the Lender ORRI, shall have been paid in full, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Other Information. Such Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of such Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte and Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of such Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of such Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of such Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
(c) Certificate of Financial Officer — Compliance. Concurrently with any delivery of Financial Statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer of such Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 8.13(b), and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited Financial Statements referred to in Section 7.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the Financial Statements accompanying such certificate.
(d) Annual Budget. Within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of such Borrower, a report, in a form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, prepared by or on behalf of such Borrower detailing on a monthly basis (i) the projected production of Hydrocarbons from the Oil and Gas Properties by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the assumptions used in calculating such projections, (ii) an annual operating budget for such Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties for such fiscal year, (iii) the projected capital expenditures on the Oil and Gas Properties to be incurred by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with a breakdown of those capital expenditures to be used for the development of the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the assumptions used in calculating such projections, and (iv) such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent related to the Oil and Gas Properties.
(e) Certificate of Financial Officer — Swap Agreements. Concurrently with any delivery of Financial Statements under Section 8.01(a) and Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer of such Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of a recent date, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements entered into with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 7.20, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.
(f) Certificate of Insurer — Insurance Coverage. Concurrently with any delivery of Financial Statements under Section 8.01(a), a certificate of insurance coverage from each insurer with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all copies of the applicable policies.
(g) Other Accounting Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other material report or letter submitted to such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of such Borrower or any such Subsidiary, or the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Borrower or any such Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by such Borrower or any such Subsidiary or the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Borrower or any such Subsidiary, to such letter or report.
(h) Notice of Liquidation of Swap Agreements. In the event that such Borrower receives any notice of early termination of any Swap Agreement to which it is a party from any of its counterparties, or any Swap Agreement to which such Borrower is a party is Liquidated, prompt written notice of the receipt of such early termination notice or such Liquidation, as the case may be, together with a reasonably detailed description or explanation thereof and any other details thereof requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
(i) Notice of Casualty Events. Prompt written notice, and in any event within three Business Days of such Borrower obtaining knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of any Casualty Event with respect to an Oil and Gas Property having a fair market value in excess of $2,000,000 or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event having a fair market value in excess of $2,000,000.
(j) Information Regarding the Borrowers. Prompt written notice (and in any event within thirty (30) days prior thereto) of any change (i) in such Borrower’s corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of such Borrower’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in such Borrower’s identity or corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in such Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization or such Person’s organizational identification number in such jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in such Borrower’s federal taxpayer identification number.
(k) Production Report and Lease Operating Statements. Concurrently with any delivery of Financial Statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), or if not available at such time, promptly upon receipt thereof by such Borrower, a report setting forth, for each calendar month during the then current fiscal year to date through and including the last day of the fiscal quarter for which Financial Statements are being delivered, the volume of production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.
(l) Acquisition of Oil and Gas Properties. In the event that such Borrower acquires any Hydrocarbon Interest or material Oil and Gas Property not evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report, prompt written notice of such acquisition, together with all title information and other information requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender necessary to grant a security interest in such new Hydrocarbon Interest or material Oil and Gas Property.
(m) Notices of Certain Changes. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any amendment, modification or supplement to (i) the certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, any preferred stock designation or any other organizational document of such Borrower, or (ii) any of the Specified JOAs.
(n) Notice of Production. Not later than ten (10) days after oil and/or gas is first produced and sold from the Project Properties, written notice of the date of such occurrence, and not later than ten (10) days after the second well completed on the Project Properties is placed on production, written notice of such occurrence.
(o) Payment Calculations. On each Monthly Payment Date a report setting forth the following: (i) the Monthly Payment Amount for each Borrower for such Monthly Payment Date, (ii) the Net Revenues of each Borrower for such Monthly Payment Date, including a statement of all proceeds received by each Borrower from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from such Borrower’s interest in the Project Properties during the second calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such Monthly Payment Date occurs, each Borrower’s share of the Existing Production Burdens payable with respect to such production, each Borrower’s share of the Operating Costs incurred during such monthly period with respect to the Project Properties (and which have not been funded out of prior production proceeds from the Project Properties), and after the completion of the development contemplated by the APOD, each Borrower’s share of any Capital Expenditure Offsets deducted in computing such Net Revenues in accordance with clause (iii) of the definition of Net Revenues, (iv) the calculation of the amount due under Section 3.01(a) by each Borrower on such Monthly Payment Date, (v) the amount of such payment by each Borrower to be applied to interest and to be applied to principal pursuant to Section 3.02, (vi) the amount of any Excess Cash Flow (other than proceeds of any Casualty Event) received by each Borrower in the calendar month immediately preceding the calendar month in which such Monthly Payment Date occurs, (vii) the amount of any proceeds of any Casualty Event received by each Borrower in the calendar month immediately preceding the calendar month in which such Monthly Payment Date occurs, (viii) the amount of any proceeds of any Casualty Event reinvested in the repair or replacement of the damaged, destroyed or taken portion of the Project Properties or Oil and Gas Properties in the calendar month immediately preceding the calendar month in which such Monthly Payment Date occurs, (ix) the amount of Excess Cash Flow to be applied by each Borrower to the repayment of the Loans on such Monthly Payment Date pursuant to Section 3.03 (c), (x) the amount of such payment by each Borrower to be applied to interest and to be applied to principal pursuant to Sections 3.02 and 3.03, and (xi) the outstanding principal amount of the Loans to each Borrower prior to the payments due on such Monthly Payment Date and the outstanding principal amount of the Loans to each Borrower after the application of the payments due by such Borrower on such Monthly Payment Date.
(p) Other Requested Information. Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including any Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed with respect thereto under the Code or under ERISA, and Multiemployer Plan to which such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or otherwise participates), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
(q) Delivery of Information Electronically. Notices to, and any other information required to be delivered to, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 8.01 may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, including broadcast email to the Lenders that the available information has been made available to the Lenders through an internet based or other electronic vehicle.
Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events. Each Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default by such Borrower;
(b) the filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting such Borrower or any Affiliate thereof not previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Lenders) that, in either case, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000,000; and
(d) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect, excluding any Material Adverse Effect that results from, or could reasonably be expected to result from, changes in commodity prices.
Each notice delivered under this Section 8.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Oil and Gas Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.04.
Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its material obligations, including material Tax liabilities of such Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or result in the seizure or levy of any Oil and Gas Property of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents. Each Borrower will pay its Loans according to the terms hereof, and each Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.
Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties. Each Borrower, at its own expense, will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to exercise its rights and authority under the Specified JOAs to cause the operator of the applicable Oil and Gas Properties to:
(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties or cause such Oil and Gas Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority to which it is subject from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business and related to the operation of any Oil and Gas Property in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and preserve, maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties and related to the operation of any Oil and Gas Property, including, without limitation, all material equipment, machinery and facilities;
(c) promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or Default thereunder;
(d) promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with customary industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties; and
(e) operate its Oil and Gas Properties or cause or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties to be operated in accordance with the practices of the industry and in material compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance in all material respects with all Governmental Requirements.
Section 8.07 Insurance. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in such insurance policy or policies insuring any of the Mortgaged Properties shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and such policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.
Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its Oil and Gas Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 8.10 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each Borrower shall at its sole expense: (i) comply, and shall cause the Oil and Gas Properties that it operates and each of its Subsidiaries and each of its Subsidiaries’ Properties operated by it to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, the breach of which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not Release or threaten to Release, and shall cause each such Subsidiary not to Release or threaten to Release, any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from such Oil and Gas Property or any other property offsite such Oil and Gas Property to the extent caused by such Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the Release or threatened Release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file, and shall cause each Subsidiary to timely obtain or file, all Environmental Permits, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed by it in connection with its operation or use of such Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties that are operated by it, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “Remedial Work”) in the event any Remedial Work is required of it or reasonably necessary on its part under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material on, under, about or from any of such Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties which it operates, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) conduct, and cause its Subsidiaries to conduct, their respective operations and businesses in a manner that will not expose any Property or Person to Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation; and (vi) establish and implement, and shall cause each Subsidiary to establish and implement, such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to continuously determine and assure that such Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ obligations under this Section 8.10(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each Borrower will promptly, but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after it learns of the occurrence of a triggering event, notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any threatened demand or lawsuit by any Person against such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective Oil and Gas Properties of which such Borrower has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws if such Borrower could reasonably anticipate that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $1,000,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.
(c) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide environmental assessments, audits and tests in accordance with the most current version of the American Society of Testing Materials standards, or any lesser standard approved by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, to the extent such Borrower or its Subsidiary is authorized under the applicable operating agreement to cause the performance of such assessments, audits and tests, upon request by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and no more than once per year in the absence of any Event of Default (or as otherwise required to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Governmental Authority), in connection with any future acquisitions of Hydrocarbon Interests or material Oil and Gas Properties.
Section 8.11 Further Assurances.
(a) Each Borrower at its sole expense will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of such Borrower or each of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents, including the Notes, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Obligations, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.
(b) Each Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of such Borrower where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.
Section 8.12 Reserve Reports.
(a) On or before March 31st and September 30th of each year, commencing March 31, 2013, the Borrowers shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrowers as of the immediately preceding December 31st and June 30th, respectively. The Reserve Report as of December 31 of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and the June 30 Reserve Report of each year shall be prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrowers, each of whom shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report.
(b) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrowers shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate from a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying that in all material respects: (i) to the Knowledge of the Borrowers, the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) except for Liens permitted by Section 9.01, each Borrower or its Subsidiaries owns good and defensible title to all of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and attributed to such Borrower and such Properties are free of all Liens, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.18 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require any Borrower or any of such Borrower’s Subsidiaries to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Reserve Report except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which any Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.19 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof (vi) all of the Oil and Gas Properties owned by Borrower are Mortgaged Properties, and (vii) documents evidencing all Lender ORRIs required to be delivered with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by the Borrower have been delivered.
Section 8.13 Title Information.
(a) On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 8.12(a), each Borrower will deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering any of its Oil and Gas Properties acquired since the date of the prior Reserve Report so that the Administrative Agent shall have received together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on all of such Borrower’s Oil and Gas Properties.
(b) Borrower shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that any title defect or exception exists with respect to the Mortgaged Properties cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by Section 9.01.
Section 8.14 Mortgaged Properties. Each Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, grant to the Administrative Agent as security for the Obligations a first-priority Lien (provided that Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on all Oil and Gas Properties owned from time to time by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, mortgages, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. Such Liens as to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by each Borrower on the Effective Date shall be granted on the Effective Date. As to any Oil and Gas Property acquired by any Borrower after the Effective Date, such Liens shall be granted within ten (10) days after the acquisition of such Oil and Gas Property by such Borrower
Section 8.15 Marketing Activities. Each Borrower will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such Borrower’s working interest in gas, gas liquids, oil, condensate, and other liquid hydrocarbons produced from the Project Properties (including the share applicable to the Lender ORRI) are marketed by Ridgewood Energy Corporation on an arm’s length basis to credit worthy purchasers that are not Affiliates of any Borrower or of Ridgewood Energy Corporation.
Section 8.16 APODs. Each Borrower will use its commercially reasonable efforts to develop its Oil and Gas Properties, in accordance in all material respects with the Initial APOD, and after completion thereof, the Walter APOD; provided that such Borrower may vote in favor of and elect to participate in any operation if such Borrower’s failure to vote in favor of or to participate in such operation would subject such Borrower to any penalty or forfeiture under an applicable operating, participation or farmout agreement without having the opportunity to avoid such penalty or forfeiture by subsequently electing to participate in such operation. If any Borrower desires to make any material change to an APOD, it shall submit a revised APOD, along with a written narrative describing such changes and an APOD Certificate, to the Administrative Agent for its review. Any revised APOD submitted to the Administrative Agent shall not be considered the current APOD until such time as the Administrative Agent shall have consented in writing to such revised APOD, provided that such consent shall not be withheld, conditioned or delayed if such revised APOD could not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Borrowers’ ability to discharge the Obligations or the Lenders’ expected return on investment.
Section 8.17 Lender ORRI.
(a) Each time a Borrowing is made by any Borrower until (and including) such time as the aggregate principal amount of the Loans made to such Borrower equal such Borrower’s Allocable ORRI Value, such Borrower shall be deemed to have conveyed to the Lenders, in undivided shares proportionate to their respective Tranche Commitments to such Borrower, a Lender ORRI in accordance with the terms of the Conveyance in each Existing Hydrocarbon Interest equal to such Borrower’s Allocable ORRI Share of its Overriding Royalty Percentage with respect to such Hydrocarbon Interest. The Lenders shall be deemed to own each such Lender ORRI from and after the date of the applicable Borrowing, and each Borrower agrees to hold title on behalf of the Lenders to each such Lender ORRI, until title to such Lender ORRI is transferred to the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Borrower agrees not to transfer or encumber any Lender ORRI for which it is holding title on behalf of the Lenders without the prior written consent of the Lenders. At any time and from time to time after the initial Loan is made to any Borrower hereunder, the Lenders may request by written notice to such Borrower that record title to any Lender ORRIs theretofore deemed conveyed to the Lenders hereunder by such Borrower be conveyed to the Lenders by the execution and delivery by such Borrower of a Conveyance covering the Allocable ORRI Share attributable to all Borrowings made by such Borrower with respect to which Conveyances have not theretofore been executed and delivered. In the event that the Lenders make any such request, the applicable Borrower will execute and deliver such Conveyances within 10 days after receipt of the applicable request.
(b) In the event that any Borrower acquires any Hydrocarbon Interest, other than an Existing Hydrocarbon Interest, such Borrower shall within ten (10) Business Days after the acquisition of such Hydrocarbon Interest execute and deliver to the Lenders, in undivided shares proportionate to their respective Tranche Commitments to such Borrower, a Lender ORRI in accordance with the terms of the Conveyance in such Hydrocarbon Interest equal to such Borrower’s Overriding Royalty Percentage with respect to such Hydrocarbon Interest.
(c) In the event of the optional prepayment in full by any Borrower of the Loans made to such Borrower hereunder prior to the time that the Lenders have made Loans to such Borrower equal to such Borrower’s Allocable ORRI Value, then in addition to the Lender ORRIs conveyed or deemed conveyed by such Borrower pursuant to Section 8.17(a) and (b), such Borrower shall be deemed to have conveyed to the Lenders, in undivided shares proportionate to their respective Tranche Commitments to such Borrower, a Lender ORRI in accordance with the terms of the Conveyance in each Existing Hydrocarbon Interest equal to Borrower’s Remaining Allocable ORRI Share of its Overriding Royalty Percentage with respect to such Hydrocarbon Interest. The Lenders shall be deemed to own each such Lender ORRI from and after the date of such optional prepayment, and each Borrower agrees to hold title on behalf of the Lenders to each such Lender ORRI, until title to such Lender ORRI is transferred to the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Borrower agrees not to transfer or encumber any Lender ORRI for which it is holding title on behalf of the Lenders without the prior written consent of the Lenders. At any time after the optional prepayment in full of the Loans to any Borrower, the Lenders may request that record title to any Lender ORRIs theretofore deemed conveyed to the Lenders by such Borrower pursuant to this Section 8.17(c) be conveyed to the Lenders by the execution and delivery by such Borrower of a Conveyance covering the Borrower’s Remaining Allocable ORRI Share of its Overriding Royalty Percentage with respect to the Existing Hydrocarbon Interests. In the event that the Lenders make any such request, the applicable Borrower will execute and deliver such Conveyances within 10 days after receipt of the applicable request.
(d) Each Lender ORRI: (i) shall be a separate real property interest (ii) be filed for recording by the applicable Borrower promptly after the execution and delivery of the applicable Conveyance thereof pursuant to Section 8.17(a) or Section 8.17(c), as applicable, (iii) shall be delivered by such Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly after its return from recording, (iv) shall survive any termination of this Agreement, (v) shall continue to burden any Oil and Gas Properties disposed of by the Borrower, (vi) shall be non-cost-bearing, (vii) shall accrue and be payable as of January 1, 2023, (viii) will not bear any costs of exploring, developing, operating or producing the Hydrocarbon Interests, (ix) notwithstanding the foregoing, shall be determined, computed and paid in the same manner as the royalties payable to the United States of America on production from the Project Properties is determined, computed and paid, and (x) shall be conveyed based on the Conveyance.
(e) If, prior to finalization of the division order process and after the Loans are repaid in full, any Borrower receives proceeds of production from a Hydrocarbon Interest with respect to which such Borrower is deemed to have or has conveyed a Lender ORRI under this Section 8.17, such Borrower shall estimate the amount of such revenue payable on account of the Lender ORRI and shall pay such estimated proceeds to the Administrative Agent.
(f) For U.S. federal income tax purposes (and state, local or foreign tax purposes where applicable), the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that (i) the Lender ORRIs constitute royalties, (ii) each Lender ORRI attributable to a Lender conveyed in connection with a Loan pursuant to Section 8.17(a) constitutes an “investment unit” within the meaning of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Code (each such Lender ORRI and Loan is an “Investment Unit”), (iii) the “issue price” of each Investment Unit for purposes of Section 1273(b)(2) of the Code is equal to the amount of the Loan attributable to such Investment Unit, (iv) the “issue price” of the Loan attributable to each Investment Unit for purposes of computing “original issue discount” (within the meaning of Section 1273(a)(1) of the Code) is equal to the amount of such Loan reduced by an amount equal to the Single Lender ORRI Value, and (v) an amount equal to the Lender ORRI Value will considered to be received by the Borrowers pursuant to the pool of capital doctrine. The “Lender ORRI Value” means the amount which is equal to (y) the product of the Borrower’s Pro-Rata Share and the Total ORRI Value, multiplied by (z) the Borrower’s Allocable ORRI Share conveyed in connection with the Borrowing pursuant to Section 8.17(a). The “Single Lender ORRI Value” means the amount which is equal to the Lender’s ORRI Value multiplied by the Lender’s Applicable Percentage. The Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall agree to work together to prepare the “original issue discount” calculations. None of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or Lenders shall take any position inconsistent with the foregoing on any report, return claim for refund or other filing for U.S. federal, state or other tax purposes unless all such parties agree otherwise or as otherwise may be required by applicable law.
(g) In no event shall any Borrower convey to Lenders a Lender ORRI that exceeds, with respect to any Project Property, or with respect to any Hydrocarbon Interest acquired after the date hereof, the applicable percentage interest therein set forth in Schedule 1.01(f).
Section 8.18 Operating Account. Within fifteen (15) Business Days after first production of oil or gas from the Project Properties, each Borrower shall create, and shall maintain until the Termination Date, an interest-bearing account (the “Operating Account”) in the name of such Borrower with a bank (“Operating Account Bank”), selected by such Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which has entered into a Control Agreement specifying that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Operating Account Bank shall comply with all instructions it receives from the Administrative Agent with respect to the Operating Account without further consent from such Borrower. All Cash Receipts to be received by such Borrower shall be deposited in the Operating Account, and such Borrower shall direct (and hereby agrees to direct) each payor of any Cash Receipts from the Oil and Gas Properties now and in the future to make payment to such Operating Account. Such Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact (and such appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest so long as any Loans made to such Borrower remain outstanding) to address any Direction Letter executed by such Borrower it may hold and deliver or have delivered any such letter to any Person purchasing Hydrocarbons from such Borrower’s Oil and Gas Properties that is not then directing payment for such Hydrocarbons to the Operating Account. Not later than fifteen (15) Business Days after the first production of oil or gas from the Project Properties, such Borrower shall send Direction Letters to all existing purchasers (and within fifteen (15) Business Days after entering into an agreement with any new purchaser, to such new purchaser) of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower, directing them to forward all amounts payable to such Borrower directly to the Operating Account at the mailing address of the Operating Account Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each such Control Agreement shall permit such Borrower to withdraw from the Operating Account any amounts contained therein so long as the Administrative Agent has not sent the depository bank party to such Control Agreement a notice indicating the existence of an Event of Default.
ARTICLE IX
Negative Covenants
Except as otherwise provided in Section 12.05, until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents, other than the Lender ORRI, have been paid in full, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
Section 9.01 Liens. No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of the Oil and Gas Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except Excepted Liens.
Section 9.02 Nature of Business; International Operations. No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an investor in oil and gas exploration and production, and related marketing and sales of production.
Section 9.03 Proceeds of Notes. No Borrower will permit the proceeds of the Loans to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.21. No Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of any Borrower has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be.
Section 9.04 Mergers, Etc. No Borrower will, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) (any such transaction, a “consolidation”), or Liquidate or dissolve; provided, that (a) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower may participate in a consolidation with any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Borrower and (b) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower may participate in a consolidation with such Borrower so long as such Borrower is the continuing or surviving entity.
Section 9.05 Sale of Properties. No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Oil and Gas Property except for (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business or (b) the sale or transfer of equipment.
Section 9.06 Environmental Matters. To the extent within each Borrower’s control pursuant to the exercise thereby of commercially reasonable efforts pursuant to any applicable operating agreement, no Borrower will cause or permit, or allow any of its Subsidiaries to cause or permit, any of its Properties that are Oil and Gas Properties to be in violation of, or do anything that will result in a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials or exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials in any manner that could reasonably be expected to cause harm or injury or otherwise result in a violation of any Environmental Laws, or cause any such Property to become subject to any Remedial Work obligation under any Environmental Laws, assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such Property where such violations, Release or threatened Release, exposure, or Remedial Work could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 9.07 Transactions with Affiliates. No Borrower will enter into, or allow any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Project Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate unless such transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate, provided that, this Section 9.07 shall not apply to (i) the payment of reasonable and customary fees to directors of any Borrower who are not employees of such Borrower; (ii) investments in a Borrower by any Person and (iii) transactions not pertaining to or affecting Project Properties.
Section 9.08 Subsidiaries. No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or acquire any additional Subsidiary, unless such Borrower gives written notice to the Administrative Agent of such creation or acquisition.
Section 9.09 Subsidiary Ownership of Mortgaged Property. No Borrower will allow any of its Subsidiaries to own any Mortgaged Property.
Section 9.10 Marketing Activities. No Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons from the Oil and Gas Properties or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (1) contracts for the sale, transportation, and processing of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from the Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business, (2) contracts for the sale, transportation, and processing of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries that such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has the right to market pursuant to joint operating agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (3) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (a) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e., corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (b) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.
Section 9.11 Amendments to Specified JOAs. To the extent within the control of a Borrower or its Subsidiary under the applicable operating agreement, no Borrower will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or supplement any of the Specified JOAs (or enter into any agreement that would have the effect of amending, modifying or supplementing any of the Specified JOAs) if the effect thereof could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Lenders (and provided that such Borrower promptly furnishes to the Administrative Agent a copy of such amendment, modification, supplement or agreement), without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders; provided that (a) such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and (b) no such consent shall be required for any such amendment, modification, or supplementation of the Specified JOAs that does not require the approval of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Without limitation of the foregoing, any amendment, modification, supplement or agreement that has the effect of requiring an assignment by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any proved, developed and producing Oil and Gas Properties shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders.
ARTICLE X
Events of Default; Remedies
Section 10.01 Events of Default. The occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to any Borrower shall constitute an “Event of Default” for such Borrower:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 10.01(a)) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, Financial Statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made;
(d) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement applicable to it contained in Article IX;
(e) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in Section 10.01(a), Section 10.01(b) or Section 10.01(d)) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 consecutive days after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower otherwise becoming aware of such default;
(f) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to make an offer in respect thereof;
(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 30 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(h) the Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in Section 10.01(g), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or the holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower shall make any request or take any action for the purpose of calling a meeting of the equity holders of the Borrower to consider a resolution to dissolve and wind-up the Borrower’s affairs;
(i) the Borrower shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(j) (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $3,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance provided by insurers of the highest claims paying rating or financial strength as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and is not subject to an insolvency proceeding) or (ii) any one or more non-monetary judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated, discharged or otherwise paid or satisfied in accordance with its terms, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment;
(k) the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing;
(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) a default or breach of a payment obligation by a Borrower in the amount of $100,000 or greater shall have occurred under any Specified JOA and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 consecutive days after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof from the applicable operator to the Borrower or (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower otherwise becoming aware of such default; or
(n) a Change in Control shall occur with respect to such Borrower.
Section 10.02 Remedies. (a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one described in Section 10.01(g) or Section 10.01(h), at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by notice to the applicable defaulting Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate such Borrower’s Tranche Commitments, and thereupon such Borrower’s Tranche Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare such Borrower’s Notes and the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of such Borrower’s Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all of such Borrower’s fees and other obligations accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by such Borrower; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(g) or Section 10.01(h), such Borrower’s Tranche Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Notes and the principal of such Borrower’s Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of such Borrower accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by such Borrower.
(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.
(c) All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of Mortgaged Property or otherwise received after maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:
(i) first, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
(ii) second, pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;
(iii) third, pro rata to payment of accrued interest on such Borrower’s Loans;
(iv) fourth, pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on such Borrower’s Loans;
(v) fifth, pro rata to any other Obligations;
(vi) sixth, any excess, after all of the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to such Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.
ARTICLE XI
The Administrative Agent
Section 11.01 Appointment; Powers. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and no Borrower shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
Section 11.02 Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties), (b) the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except as provided in Section 11.03, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the entity serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the applicable Borrower or a Lender, and shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or as to those conditions precedent expressly required to be to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 6.01, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed closing date specifying its objection thereto.
Section 11.03 Action by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) and in all cases the Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02) specifying the action to be taken and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the other provisions hereof, take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.03; provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders or the Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02), and otherwise the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon and each of the Borrowers and the Lenders hereby waive the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.
Section 11.05 Subagents. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding Sections of this Article XI shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may use an outside service provider for the tracking of all UCC financing statements required to be filed pursuant to the Loan Documents and notification to the Administrative Agent, of, among other things, the upcoming lapse or expiration thereof, and that any such service provider will be deemed to be acting at the request and on behalf of Borrower. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by any such service provider.
Section 11.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this Section 11.06, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrowers. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrowers, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation as the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
Section 11.07 Administrative Agent as Lender. The entity serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
Section 11.08 No Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrowers (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Vinson & Elkins LLP is acting in this Transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.
Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on such Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans of such Borrower and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
Section 11.10 Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.01, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, against any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Section 11.10. The agreements in this Section 11.10 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
Section 11.11 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to release any collateral that is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to each Borrower, at such Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by such Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.05 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
Section 12.01 Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to Section 12.01(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, facsimile or electronic mail, as follows:
(ii) if to any Borrower:
Ridgewood Energy Corporation
1254 Enclave Parkway,
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77077
Attention: Niloy Shah, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Engineering
Email: nshah@ridgewoodenergy.com
Facsimile: 281-293-7391
With copy to:
Ridgewood Energy Corporation
1254 Enclave Parkway,
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77077
Daniel Gulino, General Counsel
Email: dgulino@ridgewoodenergy.com
Facsimile: (201) 447-0474
(iii) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at:
Rahr Energy Investments LLC
c/o Rahr Enterprises LLC
725 5th Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel: 646.300.7104
Attention: Lawrence Fossi
Email: lawrence.fossi@rahrenterprises.com
(iv) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number or email address) set forth on its signature page.
(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II, Article III, Article IV and Article V unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or any Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c) Any party hereto may change its address, telecopy number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments.
(a) No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 12.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Security Instrument nor any provision thereof may be waived except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the applicable Borrower and the Required Lenders, or amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Tranche Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or any other Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone or extend the Termination Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) waive or amend Section 3.03(b), Section 6.01, Section 8.14, or Section 10.02(c) or change the definition of the terms “Domestic Subsidiary”, “Foreign Subsidiary” or “Subsidiary”, without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.10), or reduce the percentage set forth in Section 8.14 to less than 100%, without the written consent of each Lender, or (vii) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Majority Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) any supplement to Schedule 7.14 (Subsidiaries) shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders, and (b) any Security Instrument may be supplemented to add additional collateral with the consent of the Administrative Agent.
Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of any Phase I or similar environmental assessments and audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the Transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all costs, expenses, Taxes, assessments and other charges incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein, and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section 12.03, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
(b) EACH BORROWER SHALL, SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER, AND EACH RELATED PARTY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “INDEMNITEE”) AGAINST, AND DEFEND AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY COUNSEL FOR ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, THE PERFORMANCE BY THE PARTIES HERETO OR THE PARTIES TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, (ii) THE FAILURE OF SUCH BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iii) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF SUCH BORROWER SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (iv) ANY LOAN OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, (v) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (vi) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF SUCH BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES BY SUCH BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (vii) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (viii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO SUCH BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE PRESENCE, GENERATION, STORAGE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE, USE, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, ARRANGEMENT OF DISPOSAL OR TREATMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, (ix) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY SUCH BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO ANY BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (x) THE PAST OWNERSHIP BY SUCH BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (xi) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY SUCH BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED PRESENCE OR RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR FROM ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (xii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED TO THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR (xiii) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (xiv) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE.
(c) To the extent that any Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03(a) or (b), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrowers shall not assert, and hereby waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(e) All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable not later than three Business Days after delivery of written demand therefor.
Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender for its Tranche (and any attempted assignment or transfer by such Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.04 (and any attempted assignment or transfer by such Lender without such consent shall be null and void) and (iii) no Lender may assign to any Borrower or an Affiliate of any Borrower all or any portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement or all or any portion of its Tranche Commitments or the Loans owing to it hereunder. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in Section 1.01(d)) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 1.01(b)(ii), any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided, that such Lender obtains the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A) the applicable Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld,, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required if such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and
(B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer a Lender ORRI, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the applicable Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required (i) after the earlier to occur of (x) full funding of the Lender’s Tranche Commitment with respect to the Borrower and (y) the end of the Availability Period or (ii) in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender;
(B) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Tranche Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Tranche Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(C) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement; and
(D) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500.
(iii) Subject to Section 1.01(c) and the acceptance and recording thereof, from and after the Effective Date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01 and Section 12.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 12.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 1.01(d).
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Tranche Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time at no cost or expense to any Borrower, without the consent of, or notice to any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person or any Borrower or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of any Borrower) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,(iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Loan (and any Note evidencing such Loan) for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) in any proceeding under any bankruptcy law such Lender shall be, to the extent permitted by law, the sole representative with respect to the obligations held in the name of such Lender, whether for its own account or for the account of any participant, and (v) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 5.01(f) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in Section 1.01(d)) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the proviso to Section 12.02 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 5.01(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.01(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01(e) as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.01, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower's request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 5.01(e) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.01(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 12.04, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if such transfer, assignment or grant would require any Borrower to file a registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the “Blue Sky” laws of any state.
Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement.
(a) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Tranche Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions Section 5.01of Sections 5.01 (with respect to the Loans), 8.17 (until execution and delivery of the Conveyances evidencing all of the Lender ORRIs to which the Lenders are entitled under Section 8.17), 12.03, and Article XI shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Tranche Commitments or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Borrower shall have the right to reduce or terminate a Lender’s Tranche Commitments prior to the time that the aggregate amount of Loans made to it hereunder equal at least its Allocable ORRI Value.
(b) To the extent that any payments on the Obligations or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Obligations so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the applicable Borrower shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.
Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
(b) This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
(c) Except as provided in Section 6.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 12.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 12.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations (of whatsoever kind, including, without limitation, obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the applicable Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries against any of and all the obligations of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owed to such Lender now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 12.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or its Affiliates may have.
Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from either thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction and agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction.
(c) Each party to this Agreement agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to any Borrower at its address set forth in Section 12.01 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(d) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 12.10 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 12.11 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 12.11, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to any Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the applicable Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the applicable Borrower. For the purposes of this Section 12.11, “Information” means all information received from any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to such Borrower’s or any of such Borrower’s Subsidiaries’ businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is hereby deemed at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Section 12.12 Interest Rate Limitation. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it that are in effect from time to time. Accordingly, if the Transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the applicable Borrower); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the applicable Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.12 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.12. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to such Borrower’s obligations hereunder.
Section 12.13 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”
Section 12.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrowers, and no other Person (including any of its Subsidiaries, any obligor, participant in Loans, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent or any Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries other than to the extent contemplated by the last sentence of Section 12.04(a).
Section 12.15 USA PATRIOT Act Notice and Customer Verification. Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notify the Borrowers that pursuant to the “know your customer” regulations and the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, they are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name, address and tax identification number (and other identifying information in the event this information is insufficient to complete verification) that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to verify the identity of each Borrower. This information must be delivered to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent no later than five days prior to the Effective Date and thereafter promptly upon request. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act and is effective as to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
Section 12.16 Production Proceeds; Release of Liens.
(a) Notwithstanding that, by the terms of the Mortgages, the Borrower is and will be assigning to the Administrative Agent and Lenders all of the “Production Proceeds” (as defined in the mortgage covering the Mortgaged Properties)] accruing to the property covered thereby, for the avoidance of doubt, so long as no Event of Default has occurred, each Borrower may continue to receive from the purchasers of production all proceeds of production from the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower, and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably cooperate with the Borrowers so that the purchasers of production pay such proceeds directly to the Operating Account. Upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and Lenders may exercise all rights and remedies granted under the Loan Documents, including the Control Agreements, including the right to obtain possession of all proceeds then held by the applicable Borrower or to receive directly from the purchasers of production all other proceeds of production from the Oil and Gas Properties of such Borrower. In no case shall any failure, whether purposed or inadvertent, by the Administrative Agent or Lenders to collect directly any such proceeds constitute in any way a waiver, remission or release of any of their rights under any Loan Document, nor shall any release of any such proceeds by the Administrative Agent or Lenders to the Borrower constitute a waiver, remission, or release of any other proceeds or of any rights of the Administrative Agent or Lenders to collect other proceeds thereunder.
(b) The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by the Lenders to execute, at the cost and expense of the Borrower and pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, partial releases of the Mortgaged Properties to the extent such Mortgaged Properties are sold in accordance with the terms hereof. Upon the full and final payment of all principal and accrued unpaid interest owed to the Lenders, the payment in full of any fees or expenses owed to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Borrower, and the termination of all commitments of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder (which termination of commitments may be effected, upon payment of all such principal, interest, fees and expenses owed, by written notice from the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent), and without regard to the continued existence of or outstanding obligations, if any, under the ORRI, (i) this Agreement shall be thereupon released, extinguished and discharged, and such Borrower shall have no further liability or obligation hereunder of any kind, provided that the foregoing shall not release or affect the Lender ORRI, which shall continue in effect in accordance with its terms, and (ii) all liens and security interests securing the Obligations granted by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be extinguished and released.
Section 12.17 Limitation on Recourse. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the liability of each Borrower for failure to pay or perform its Obligations is expressly limited to the Mortgaged Properties, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Lender shall have any other recourse against any Borrower on account of the Obligations. The Lenders shall have full recourse hereunder against the Mortgaged Properties for any failure by any Borrower to pay or perform its Obligations (including the Notes) hereunder, provided that in the event that the proceeds of the Mortgaged Properties are insufficient to discharge and satisfy in full all of the Obligations owed by the applicable Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders, (i) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall have any recourse against any other assets of any Borrower other than the Mortgaged Properties on account of such insufficiency, and (ii) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lenders shall any right to seek, obtain or enforce a judgment for a deficiency that may exist or arise if the proceeds realized from the sale or disposition of Mortgaged Property or other collateral for the Loans is insufficient to discharge in full the Obligations of any Borrower arising hereunder. This Section 12.17 shall in no way limit, impair or release any liens, security interests, collateral assignments, rights, interests or remedies of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in, to or with respect to the Mortgaged Properties. All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that all obligations of each Borrower hereunder are several, and neither joint nor joint and several, and no Borrower is liable for, or guarantor of, any obligations, indemnities or liabilities of any other Borrower hereunder; provided, that in the event that
(i) any Borrower commits a fraudulent act or
| (ii) | any representation by a Borrower made pursuant to (a) Section 7.01, (b) Section 7.02, (c) Section 7.03, or (d) Section 7.16(a), with respect to the Project Properties, shall prove to have been incorrect when made, |
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have full recourse against such Borrower for the damages arising out of such fraudulent act or misrepresentation.
[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]
The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
BORROWER: | RIDGEWOOD ENERGY O FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY Q FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY S FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY T FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY V FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY W FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY A-1 FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| RIDGEWOOD ENERGY B-1 FUND, LLC. |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT & LENDER: | RAHR ENERGY INVESTMENTS LLC, as Administrative Agent and Lender |
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| By: | /s/ Lawrence J. Fossi |
| Name: | Lawrence J. Fossi |
| Title: | Manager |
Annex I
Tranche Commitments
Tranche A-1 – (Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $8,265,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $8,265,000.00 |
Tranche B-1 – (Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $12,540,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $12,540,000.00 |
Tranche O – (Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $24,130,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $24,130,000.00 |
Tranche Q – (Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $5,415,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $5,415,000.00 |
Tranche S – (Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $12,825,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $12,825,000.00 |
Tranche T – (Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $8,835,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $8,835,000.00 |
Tranche V – (Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $13,585,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $13,585,000.00 |
Tranche W – (Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC)
Name of Lender | Applicable Percentage | Tranche Commitment |
Rahr Energy Investments LLC | 100.00% | $9,405,000.00 |
TOTAL | 100.00% | $9,405,000.00 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTE
THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. THE LENDER CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTE BY WRITING TO:
Ridgewood Energy Corporation
1254 Enclave Parkway, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77077
Attention: Peter A. Zwart, Executive Vice President—Commercial.
$[_____________] | [_____________], 201[__] |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [_____________________], a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to [_________] (the “Lender”), at the principal office of Rahr Energy Investments LLC (the “Administrative Agent”), the principal sum of [________] Dollars ($[____________]) (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined), in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.
The date, amount, interest rate, and maturity of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and, prior to any transfer of this Note, may be endorsed by the Lender on the schedules attached hereto or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by the Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of this Note.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the other borrowers and lenders signatory thereto (including the Lender), and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such Credit Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
| [______________________________________] |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST
[________________], 201[__]
[________________________], a Delaware limited liability company, as the Borrower, pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “Credit Agreement”) among Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, and Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, each as a Borrower, and collectively the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent and the lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto (unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used herein is defined in the Credit Agreement), hereby requests a Borrowing as follows:
| (i) | Aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing is $[__________]; |
| (ii) | Date of such Borrowing is [__________], 201[__]; |
| (iii) | Current Total Credit Exposure (without regard to the requested Borrowing) is $[__________]; |
| (iv) | Pro forma Total Credit Exposure (giving effect to the requested Borrowing) is $[__________]; |
| (v) | Current Total Tranche Exposure (without regard to the requested Borrowing) is $[__________]; |
| (vi) | Pro forma Total Tranche Exposure (giving effect to the requested Borrowing) is $[__________]; |
[If the Borrowing is not requested to pay expenses of Lenders, complete subsection (vii)-(x) below:]
| (vii) | Development Costs to be funded by the proceeds of the requested Borrowing are $[__________]; |
| (viii) | Other sources of funding for Development Costs in (vii) above are [____________________]; |
| (ix) | Development Costs in (vi) above are incurred in accordance with the APOD or if all operations contemplated by the APOD have been completed such Development Costs are incurred in accordance with the Walter APOD; and |
| (x) | Aggregate Development Costs incurred by such Borrower since the Effective Date and funded by such Borrower from sources other than the proceeds of the Loans is not less than such Borrower’s Internal Funding Amount; |
[If the Borrowing is requested to pay expenses of Lenders, complete the subsection below:]
| (vii) | Amount of Lender expenses through the Effective Date for which Borrower is responsible is $[__________]. |
| [(xi)/(viii)] | Location and number of the Borrower’s Operating Account, to which the funds are to be disbursed, is as follows: |
[_____________________________________]
[_____________________________________]
[_____________________________________]
[_____________________________________]
[_____________________________________]
[(xii)/(ix)] Attached hereto as Annex I is a copy of the invoice(s) under the applicable Specified JOA for the Development Costs to be funded with the proceeds of the requested Borrowing;
[(xiii/(x)] the Borrower hereby certifies that the remaining Tranche Commitments of the Lenders hereunder, together with other funds available to the Borrower (including internal sources of capital) are sufficient to enable the Borrower to pay in full, on a timely basis, its share of the remaining Development Costs expected to be incurred to complete the Initial APOD.
The undersigned certifies that he/she is the [__________] of the Borrower, and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and warrants on behalf of the Borrower that all information contained in this Borrowing Request is accurate and the Borrower is entitled to receive the requested Borrowing under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.
| [______________________________________] |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies, respectively, that he/she is the [______] of [_____________________], a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), and that he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference to the Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto being the “Agreement”) among the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders which are or become a party thereto (the “Lenders”), and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and warrants, in his/her capacity as [______] of the Borrower and not in his/her personal capacity, as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article VII of the Agreement and in the Loan Documents and otherwise made in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and the Loan Documents were true and correct when made, and are repeated at and as of the time of delivery hereof and are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent any such representations and warranties are limited by materiality, in which case, they shall be true and correct in all respects (subject to materiality qualifications set forth in such representation or warranty, if any)) at and as of the time of delivery hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date or the Majority Lenders have expressly consented in writing to the contrary.
(b) The Borrower has performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the Agreement and in the Loan Documents required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the time of delivery hereof [or specify Default and describe].
(c) Since December 31, 2011, no change has occurred which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect [or specify event].
(d) There exists no Default or Event of Default [or specify Default and describe].
EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this [____] day of [__________].
| [______________________________________] |
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| By: | |
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| Title: | |
EXHIBIT D
SECURITY INSTRUMENTS
| 1. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 2. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 3. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 4. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 5. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 6. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 7. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
| 8. | Act of Mortgage, Fixture Filing, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement by Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC to Rahr Energy Investments, LLC as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Persons (as defined therein). |
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit and guarantees included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1. | Assignor: | [______________________________] |
2. | Assignee: | ______________________________ |
[and is an Affiliate of [identify Lender]]
3. | Borrower: | [______________________________] |
4. | Administrative Agent: | Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement |
5. | Credit Agreement: | The Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 among Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto, Rahr Energy Investments LLC |
Commitment Assigned | Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders | Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned | Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans1 |
| $ | $ | % |
| $ | $ | % |
| $ | $ | % |
Effective Date: _____________ ___, 201___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
| ASSIGNOR |
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| [NAME OF ASSIGNOR] |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| ASSIGNEE |
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| [NAME OF ASSIGNEE] |
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| By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
1 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
[Consented to and]2 Accepted:
Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent
By_________________________________
Name:
Title:
[Consented to:]3
[__________________________________]
By________________________________
Name:
Title:
2 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
3 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g., Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
ANNEX 1
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2. Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent Financial Statements delivered, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF CONVEYANCE OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTEREST
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF APOD CERTIFICATE
[DATE]
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the ______________ of [__________], a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), and that as such is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference to the Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrowers party thereto, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders which are or become a party thereto, the undersigned represents, warrants and certifies as follows (each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement):
(a) the Borrower has good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties listed on the APOD attached hereto as Exhibit A, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.
(b) The Borrower is not aware of any written claim, demand or challenge of any other Person with respect to the ownership of, or title to, the Oil and Gas Properties listed on the APOD.
EXECUTED AND DELIVERED as of the day first set forth above.
| [______________________________________] |
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| By: | |
| Name: |
| Title: |
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF DIRECTION LETTER
[Company]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Attention: Gas Settlements
Re: Notice of Designated Account
Ladies and Gentlemen:
[__________], (“Company”), is the present payee on behalf of [__________], a Delaware limited liability company, for the interests in the properties (“Properties”) set forth on the attached Schedule hereto (“Schedule”). The Company hereby requests that you begin remitting proceeds with respect to the Properties to a designated bank account.
Accordingly, until further notice from each of the Company and Rahr Energy Investments LLC (as administrative agent), please direct all proceeds attributable to the Properties and interests set forth on the Schedule for which you are purchasing production and which you credit to the Company, effective as of the date hereof, to the address and account as set forth below:
[BANK]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Routing Number/ABA: [__________]
Account Number: [__________]
Credit to: [__________]
In order that we may have a record evidencing your acceptance of this Notice of Designated Account, we request that you execute one copy of this letter in the space provided below and return the same to us in the enclosed, self-addressed envelope.
| Yours very truly, |
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| [__________] |
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| By: | |
Accepted and Acknowledged By:
[__________]
By: ________________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT I-1
FORM OF
NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, and Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, each as a Borrower, and collectively the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent and the lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 5.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the applicable Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 871(h)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (v) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made by the applicable Borrower or the Administrative Agent to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.
| [Non-U.S. Lender] |
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| By: | |
| | Name: |
| | Title: |
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| [Address] |
Dated: ______________________, 20[ ]
EXHIBIT I-2
FORM OF
NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, and Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, each as a Borrower, and collectively the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent and the lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 5.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the applicable Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 871(h)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (vi) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or any of its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.
| [Non-U.S. Lender] |
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| By: | |
| | Name: |
| | Title: |
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| [Address] |
Dated: ______________________, 20[ ]
EXHIBIT I-3
FORM OF
NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, and Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, each as a Borrower, and collectively the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent and the lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 5.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the applicable Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 871(h)(3)(B), (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (v) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.
| [Non-U.S. Participant] |
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| By: | |
| | Name: |
| | Title: |
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| [Address] |
Dated: ______________________, 20[ ]
EXHIBIT I-4
FORM OF
NON-BANK TAX CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Ridgewood Energy O Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy Q Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy S Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy T Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy V Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy W Fund, LLC, Ridgewood Energy A-1 Fund, LLC, and Ridgewood Energy B-1 Fund, LLC, each as a Borrower, and collectively the Borrowers, Rahr Energy Investments LLC, as Administrative Agent and the lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 5.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the applicable Borrower within the meaning of Code Section 871(h)(3)(B), (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the applicable Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (vi) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or any of its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payment.
| [Non-U.S. Participant] |
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| By: | |
| | Name: |
| | Title: |
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| [Address] |
Dated: ______________________, 20[ ]
EXHIBIT J
PRICING ASSUMPTIONS
[See Attached]
Beta Debt Restructuring – Annual Repayment Rate AssessmentJune 2018
Background and explanation On an annual basis, repayment rates for each borrower will be subject to a test to determine if rates are set at an appropriate level, and if warranted, may be adjusted upwards.On April 1st of each year, we will use the Undiscounted Cash Flow amounts per the latest NSAI report to develop a ratio.1 This ratio is then compared to the rates per the loan agreement, where the greater of the two will be used as the repayment rate for that year. The ratio calculation is discussed below in more detail:Numerator - Outstanding Loan Balance as January 1st of each year beginning in 2019 (e.g. 1/1/2019, 1/1/2020, 1/1/2021 and 1/1/2022)Denominator – 80% times the sum of remaining Undiscounted Cash Flows for both proved and probable reserves (2P) per NSAI through the end of the new loan term (e.g. UCF from 1/1/2019 – 12/31/2022; 1/1/2020 – 12/31/2022; 1/1/2021 – 12/31/2022; 1/1/2022 – 12/31/2022)Undiscounted Cash Flows refers to Gross Revenue less Operating Expenses less Capital Costs. This amount is labeled “Future Net Revenue Undiscounted” on the pdf of the NSAI reports. Only cash flows for sanctioned wells as of the date of redetermination will be used in the ratio calculation. If a rate adjustment is necessary, it will remain in place until the next reassessment date, when it could go back to the initial rate per the loan agreement. Beta Loan Discussion: Annual Repayment Rate Test Notes: 1) The first assessment period will be April 1, 2019 based on the NSAI report effective for the year end 2018.
Example NOTE: The example above illustrates the calculation using a preliminary 2017 NSAI report for the 7-well Beta development plan and does not include PHA revenues collected from the Claiborne project. Note that this is for illustration purposes ONLY and is not intended as the basis for the calculation. The report’s net values represent Ridgewood’s 32.5% working interest in the Beta Project. Beta Loan Discussion: Annual Repayment Rate Test Step 1: Determine the Cumulative Undiscounted Cash Flows by year for Proved Reserves From To Total Undiscounted CF $M 1/1/2018 12/31/2022 $159,241.7 1/1/2019 12/31/2022 $143,437.5 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 $89,193.0 1/1/2021 12/31/2022 $39,320.9 1/1/2022 12/31/2022 $16,559.1
Example NOTE: The example above illustrates the calculation using a preliminary 2017 NSAI report for the 7-well Beta development plan and does not include PHA revenues collected from the Claiborne project. Note that this is for illustration purposes ONLY and is not intended as the basis for the calculation. The report’s net values represent Ridgewood’s 32.5% working interest in the Beta Project. Beta Loan Discussion: Annual Repayment Rate Test Step 2: Determine the Cumulative Undiscounted Cash Flows by year for Probable Reserves From To Total Undiscounted CF $M 1/1/2018 12/31/2022 $134,651.4 1/1/2019 12/31/2022 $119,785.9 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 $98,989.9 1/1/2021 12/31/2022 $90,112.8 1/1/2022 12/31/2022 $42,845.5
Example Beta Loan Discussion: Annual Repayment Rate Test Step 3: Risk Remaining Undiscounted Cash Flows by Factor of 80% Total Undiscounted CF $M From To Proved (see slide 3) Probable (see slide 4) Total 80% of Total 1/1/2018 12/31/2022 $159,241.7 $134,651.4 $293,893.10 $235,114.48 1/1/2019 12/31/2022 $143,437.5 $119,785.9 $263,223.40 $210,578.72 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 $89,193.0 $98,989.9 $188,182.90 $150,546.32 1/1/2021 12/31/2022 $39,320.9 $90,112.8 $129,433.70 $103,546.96 1/1/2022 12/31/2022 $16,559.1 $42,845.5 $59,404.60 $47,523.68 Step 4: Prorate Risked Remaining Undiscounted Cash Flow by Fund From To Total REC O Fund Q Fund S Fund T Fund V Fund W Fund A-1 Fund B-1 Fund Non Borrowers Fund Allocation 15.4% 6.9% 7.7% 6.2% 9.2% 9.2% 6.2% 9.2% 30.0% 1/1/2018 12/31/2022 $235,114.48 $36,171.46 $16,277.16 $18,085.73 $14,468.58 $21,702.88 $21,702.88 $14,468.58 $21,702.88 $70,534.34 1/1/2019 12/31/2022 $210,578.72 $32,396.73 $14,578.53 $16,198.36 $12,958.69 $19,438.04 $19,438.04 $12,958.69 $19,438.04 $63,173.62 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 $150,546.32 $23,160.97 $10,422.44 $11,580.49 $9,264.39 $13,896.58 $13,896.58 $9,264.39 $13,896.58 $45,163.90 1/1/2021 12/31/2022 $103,546.96 $15,930.30 $7,168.64 $7,965.15 $6,372.12 $9,558.18 $9,558.18 $6,372.12 $9,558.18 $31,064.09 1/1/2022 12/31/2022 $47,523.68 $7,311.34 $3,290.10 $3,655.67 $2,924.53 $4,386.80 $4,386.80 $2,924.53 $4,386.80 $14,257.10 Step 5: Develop ratio (for purposes of this example, we will test the 2018 Repayment Rate) O Fund Q Fund S Fund T Fund V Fund W Fund A-1 Fund B-1 Fund Outstanding Loan Balance $26,124.65 $4,837.81 $11,191.08 $7,050.94 $14,493.91 $8,461.54 $7,204.98 $13,306.83 Remaining Undiscounted Cash Flows $36,171.46 $16,277.16 $18,085.73 $14,468.58 $21,702.88 $21,702.88 $14,468.58 $21,702.88 UCF-to-Debt 72% 30% 62% 49% 67% 39% 50% 61% Repayment Rate per Loan 75% 33% 70% 55% 75% 45% 55% 70% Adjustment Needed? No No No No No No No No
SCHEDULE 1.01(a) – BORROWER NET REVENUE INTERESTS
FUND | EWING BANK BLOCK 834 | | EWING BANK BLOCK 835 |
WI | NRI | | WI | NRI |
| | | | | |
O | 5.00000% | 4.11000% | | 5.00000% | 4.03356% |
Q | 2.25000% | 1.80000% | | 2.25000% | 1.77011% |
S | 2.50000% | 2.05500% | | 2.50000% | 2.01678% |
T | 2.00000% | 1.60000% | | 2.00000% | 1.57342% |
V | 3.00000% | 2.46600% | | 3.00000% | 2.42013% |
W | 3.00000% | 2.46600% | | 3.00000% | 2.42013% |
A-1 | 2.00000% | 1.60000% | | 2.00000% | 1.57342% |
B-1 | 3.00000% | 2.46600% | | 3.00000% | 2.42013% |
TOTALS: | 22.75000% | 18.56300% | | 22.75000% | 18.22770% |
FUND | EWING BANK BLOCK 790 | | MISSISSIPPI CANYON BLOCK 793 |
WI | NRI | | WI | NRI |
| | | | | |
O | 5.00000% | 3.79750% | | 5.00000% | 4.06250% |
Q | 2.25000% | 1.65938% | | 2.25000% | 1.82813% |
S | 2.50000% | 1.89880% | | 2.50000% | 2.03125% |
T | 2.00000% | 1.47500% | | 2.00000% | 1.62500% |
V | 3.00000% | 2.27850% | | 3.00000% | 2.43750% |
W | 3.00000% | 2.27850% | | 3.00000% | 2.43750% |
A-1 | 2.00000% | 1.47500% | | 2.00000% | 1.62500% |
B-1 | 3.00000% | 2.27850% | | 3.00000% | 2.43750% |
TOTALS: | 22.75000% | 17.14113% | | 22.75000% | 18.48438% |
SCHEDULE 1.01(b) – BORROWER’S INTERNAL FUNDING AMOUNT
BORROWING FUND | INTERNAL FUNDING AMOUNT |
O | $4,156,951 |
Q | $7,191,995 |
S | $1,374,700 |
T | $2,424,336 |
V | $3,397,247 |
W | $7,442,714 |
A-1 | $3,039,521 |
B-1 | $4,383,931 |
TOTAL | $33,411,395 |
SCHEDULE 1.01(c) – BORROWER’S PRO-RATA SHARE
BORROWING FUND | | PRO-RATA SHARE |
O | | 25.4% |
Q | | 5.7% |
S | | 13.5% |
T | | 9.3% |
V | | 14.3% |
W | | 9.9% |
A-1 | | 8.7% |
B-1 | | 13.2% |
TOTAL | | 100.0% |
SCHEDULE 1.01(d)
[Reserved]
SCHEDULE 1.01(e)
[Reserved]
SCHEDULE 1.01(f) – OVERRIDING ROYALTY PERCENTAGE
O FUND | 12.56% |
Q FUND | 6.25% |
S FUND | 13.34% |
T FUND | 11.59% |
V FUND | 11.81% |
W FUND | 8.16% |
A-1 FUND | 10.81% |
B-1 FUND | 10.86% |
SCHEDULE 1.01(g) – EXISTING LIENS
NONE
SCHEDULE 1.01(h) – EXISTING HYDROCARBON INTEREST
(RESERVED)
SCHEDULE 1.01(i) – FIXED PERCENTAGE
Borrower’s Debt to WI Ratio (as of Third Amendment Effective Date) | Fixed Percentage |
< 2,000,000 to 1.00 | 33.0% |
≥ 2,000,000 to 1.00 < 2,250,000 to 1.00 | 42.0% |
≥ 2,250,000 to 1.00 < 2,500,000 to 1.00 | 45.0% |
≥ 2,500,000 to 1.00 < 3,000,000 to 1.00 | 50.0% |
≥ 3,000,000 to 1.00 < 3,500,000 to 1.00 | 55.0% |
≥ 3,500,000 to 1.00 < 4,250,000 to 1.00 | 70.0% |
≥ 4,250,000 to 1.00 | 75.0% |
SCHEDULE 3.02 – INTEREST RATE
Borrower’s Debt to WI Ratio (as of Third Amendment Effective Date) | Interest Rate |
< 2,000,000 to 1.00 | 8.75% |
≥ 2,000,000 to 1.00 < 2,750,000 to 1.00 | 9.00% |
≥ 2,750,000 to 1.00 < 3,500,000 to 1.00 | 9.50% |
≥ 3,500,000 to 1.00 < 4,250,000 to 1.00 | 11.00% |
≥ 4,250,000 to 1.00 | 12.00% |
SCHEDULE 7.05 – LITIGATION
NONE
SCHEDULE 7.06 – ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
NONE
SCHEDULE 7.14 – SUBSIDIARIES AND PARTNERSHIPS
NONE
SCHEDULE 7.18 – GAS IMBALANCES
NONE
SCHEDULE 7.19 – MARKETING CONTRACTS
NONE
SCHEDULE 7.20 – SWAP AGREEMENTS
NONE
SCHEDULE 8.16 – WALTER APOD
A-1 (#2) 21,050’ md/tvd
Complete in 20200’sand (expected rate 8000 bopd), take 21000’sand later. Place well on production before commencing drilling operations. Not yet sure if sand control will be needed. Consideration was given to deepening the well before completing, but given the hole size (making drilling problematic) and possible sand fairway (suggesting best sands were to the NW), it was decided to test the deeper section with the A-3 wellbore.
A-2 24,055’md/21,500’tvd 27.89 degrees
The A-2 well is primarily designed to test the 19000’ and 19600’ anomalies northwest of the A-1 in EW 790. The A-1 had thin oil sands in this general section, but was drilled high to, and outside of, the anomalies. These amplitudes are seen on the TGS Sophie’s Resolve (SR), but are better represented on the TGS WAZ. In both data sets, the objectives have a favorable AVO response (increase in mids, or 15-30 degrees), and have a reasonable fit to structure, especially on the SR PSTM.
As a secondary objective, the A-2 will test the 20200’ sand in a mid-structure position on the western edge of the anomaly. While not an ideal take point, it should help define the velocity gradient (if it exists), possibly an oil/water contact, and is in a position to drain reserves across the red fault (if the fault is not a reservoir barrier). The well should also see the 21000’ sand (productive in the A-1, but in a relatively poor structural position and not within the best amplitude). May consider dropping angle below 19600’ sand to better position take points in the lower objectives (20200’, 21000’ sands).
NOTE- all wells are designed from the WAZ data, and hence may appear downdip or in weaker amplitude on the SR data. The A-2 should provide a useful calibration, and will likely impact subsequent well designs. Sidetracking wells to adjust for data discrepancies is always an option. WOGC intends to take pressures in all wells to determine reservoir continuity.
A-3 23,924’md/23,000’tvd 25 degrees
The A-3 well is designed as a take point in the 20200’ sand, and is designed to see the 21000 sand in an updip position (but slightly inboard of the best 21000’ sand amplitude), and to test the deep section (below the stratigraphic equivalent of the A-1), all in EW 834. The well will be approximately 600’ off-structure in the deep section, but could not be positioned further updip without sacrificing a reasonable test of the 21000’ sand. PVTD is 23,000’, but it is unknown how much section can be seen in a reasonable pressure regime. Based on the WAZ, VSP, and Proximity Survey, the current interpretation is that there is a relatively limited area of closure below the 21000’ sd. Although the Sophie Resolves’ (SR) data indicates a few inconsistent, small HCI’s in this section, the WAZ has no amplitude-support for potential reservoirs below the 21,000’ sand. Structural closure below 25,000’ becomes problematic.
Because the apparent sand fairways (based on amplitude distribution) seem to be coming from the NW, the well will test the deep section slightly off-structure and to the NW of the A-1. The well is designed to be as low an angle possible (25 degrees) consistent with obtaining good take points in the 20200’ and 21000’ sand reservoir. If deep sands/hydrocarbons are encountered, another well (A-8 for discussion purposes) could be drilled immediately updip (south) of the A-1, as this appears to be the structure crest at all levels. It would be preferable to do so before any possible depletion occurs (to avoid drilling problems).
Note- this well may be a good candidate for a salt proximity survey or VSP, as it would transverse across, and be relatively close to, the northern face of salt for several thousand feet. It would also be deep enough (unlike the A-1) to image a possible overhang.
A-4 23,686’md/21,500’ tvd 35.91 degrees
The A-4 well is designed to test the 19600’ and 20200’ sands east of the A-1 well. The TD is in EW 835. The wellbore should see an improved 19600’ sand, and possibly a lower net 20200’ sand (based on amplitude strength), but should be a good take point for both reservoirs. There is some seismic evidence (shingling of trough, but not basal peak) that the 20200’ sand may be in a different stratigraphic compartment than the A-1. The well will also see the stratigraphic equivalent of the 21000’ sand, but based on the amplitudes, it is expected to be shaled-out. Also, if the A-3 well has encouragement for the deeper section, the well could be adjusted (deepened, turned to the south).
Another consideration is that the A-4 will penetrate a stratigraphic amplitude (with good AVO response) at approximately 15000’. The evaluation of this section may impact the A-5 well (see discussion below).
A-5 17,248’md/15000’ tvd 32.93 degrees
The EW 834 A-5 well is designed to test the section seen at 14000-16000’ in the A-1 well in an updip trap position (three-way against salt) associated with seismic amplitudes. Note that this section significantly thins near the salt, so it is difficult to assign specific sands to this test. The well as currently planned is at the crest of the “15500’ sand” horizon; however the “15000 strat” may be prospective, contingent on the results of the A-4 well. The A-4 will penetrate a 100 acre stratigraphic amplitude at the “15000 strat” horizon. If this zone is productive, the A-5 well will be adjusted to have a more southerly azimuth (i.e., would be west of current plan) to test a 180 acre 15000’ stratigraphic anomaly that is pinched-out in the current A-5 wellbore. The more southerly wellpath appears more prospective on the SR data, but for now the well is planned at the structural crest.
This is considered a relatively low priority well, as it might encounter relatively thin, low rate zones. Contingent on results of A-2, A-3, and A-4 wells, may be deferred while higher rate wells require most of the platform’s capacity.
A-6 14,592md/9300’tvd 60.86 degrees
The A-6 well is designed as a take point in EW 834 in the 9000’ oil sand, which was productive in the Shell EW 834 #1 well. WOGC calculated that a straight hole in this reservoir was capable of approximately 800 bopd , but that a 60 degree well should achieve double the rate. Contingent on results of A-2, A-3, and A-4 wells, may be deferred while higher rate wells require most of the platform’s capacity.
A-7 thru 9
Platform will accommodate up to 9 wells. The well objectives for wells A-1 through A-4 are firm. The objectives of Wells A-5 & 6 will be met during the development – timing will be dependent on results from Wells A-1 thru 4. The utilization of the remaining slots is dependent on the initial well results.
SCHEDULE 9.12 – SPECIFIED JOAs
[ATTACHED]