As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2011
Registration Statement No. 333-_________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | 86-0879278 (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650
Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 369-6986
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area
Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
SEE TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY CO-REGISTRANTS
Gary C. Evans
777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650
Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 369-6986
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Agent for Service)
With a copy to:
Paul M. Johnston
777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650
Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 369-6986
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer þ | | Non-accelerated filer o | | Smaller reporting company o |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | | | | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit | | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | | Amount of Registration Fee |
Debt securities(1)(3) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
Common stock(3) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
Preferred stock(3) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
Depositary shares(3)(4) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
Warrants(5) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
Guarantees of debt securities (6) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | N/A | |
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Total | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | $ | 400,000,000 | (2) | | $ | 34,834 | (7) |
(1) | | Debt securities are issuable in series as senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock or other registered securities. |
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(2) | | The amount to be registered, the proposed maximum offering price per unit and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The securities covered by this Registration Statement may be sold or otherwise distributed separately or together with, or in units with, any other securities covered by this Registration Statement or other securities. There is being registered hereunder such indeterminate principal amount, liquidation amount or number of each identified class of securities as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued by the Registrant from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement shall not exceed $400,000,000 in U.S. dollars or the equivalent at the time of offering in any other currency. The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with, and at the time of, the issuance by the Registrant of the securities registered herein. |
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(3) | | In addition to any securities that may be issued directly hereunder, we are also registering an indeterminate number or amount of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities as may be issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of registered securities, or upon exercise, conversion or exchange of registered securities, in accordance with the terms of such registered securities, as the case may be. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities so issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange. |
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(4) | | To be represented by depositary receipts representing an interest in all or a specified portion of a share of preferred stock. Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement. |
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(5) | | Includes warrants to purchase common stock, warrants to purchase preferred stock and warrants to purchase debt securities. |
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(6) | | Certain of the subsidiary co-registrants may guarantee our obligations under any debt securities issued hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no additional registration fee is being paid in respect of such guarantees. Any guarantees of debt securities issued hereunder will not be traded separately from such debt securities. |
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(7) | | Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price. As discussed in the paragraph below, pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement includes, as of the date of filing of this Registration Statement, a total of $99,969,679 of unsold securities that had previously been registered and for which the registration fee had previously been paid. Accordingly, the amount of the registration fee has been calculated based on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the additional $300,030,321 of securities registered on this Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the securities registered pursuant to this Registration Statement include, as of the date of filing of this Registration Statement, $99,969,679 of unsold debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants previously registered on the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-169651), which we refer to as the Prior Registration Statement. In connection with the registration of such unsold securities on the Prior Registration Statement, the Registrant paid a registration fee of $6,648 which will continue to be applied to such unsold securities. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of the unsold securities registered under the Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this Registration Statement. If the Registrant sells any of such unsold securities pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement after the date of filing, and prior to the date of effectiveness, of this Registration Statement, the Registrant will file a pre-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which will reduce the number of such unsold securities included on this Registration Statement and increase the additional securities registered hereon so that the total amount of securities registered hereon will equal $400,000,000, as reflected in footnote (2) to the table above, and will pay the additional registration fee resulting therefrom. |
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| | The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. |
TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY CO-REGISTRANTS
Exact name of Co-Registrant as specified in its Charter (1) | State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization | I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
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Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc. | Colorado | 84-0820328 |
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Triad Hunter, LLC | Delaware | 27-1355830 |
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Hunter Disposal, LLC | Delaware | 27-1657989 |
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NGAS Hunter, LLC | Delaware | 27-3553737 |
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Williston Hunter ND, LLC | Delaware | 27-3553798 |
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MHR Acquisition Company III, LLC | Delaware | 27-3553862 |
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NGAS Production Co. | Kentucky | 61-1057062 |
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Williston Hunter, Inc. | Delaware | 46-0523818 |
(1) The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the principal executive offices of each subsidiary co-registrant are:
777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650
Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 369-6986
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 14, 2011
PROSPECTUS
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation
$400,000,000
Debt Securities
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and guarantees of debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings from time to time and at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the applicable offering. Our obligations under debt securities we issue may also be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers, and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of these securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide the names of the agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions or discounts. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold under this prospectus will not exceed $400,000,000. We will specify in an accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of any such offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to or update the information in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where appropriate, about material United States federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the debt or equity securities covered by the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You also should read the documents we have referred you to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” and the “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” sections of this prospectus for information about us and our financial statements. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “MHR”. On June 13, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $6.27. Our 10.25% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) is listed on the NYSE Amex under the trading symbol “MHR.PrC”. On June 13, 2011, the last reported sale price of our Series C Preferred Stock on the NYSE Amex was $25.65. Our 8.0% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) is listed on the NYSE Amex under the trading symbol “MHR.PrD”. On June 13, 2011, the last reported sale price of our Series D Preferred Stock on the NYSE Amex was $48.55.
Investing in our securities involves various risks. In our filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, we identify and discuss risk factors that you should consider before investing in our securities. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus. Additional risks associated with an investment in our company as well as with the particular types of securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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The date of this prospectus is __________, 2011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 1 |
| 2 |
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 16 |
About Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation | 17 |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 18 |
| 19 |
Description of Debt Securities | 20 |
Description of Capital Stock | 28 |
Description of Depositary Shares | 35 |
| 37 |
Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance | 39 |
| 43 |
| 46 |
| 46 |
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference | 47 |
Where You Can Find More Information | 48 |
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the exhibits and the documents incorporated therein by reference, can be accessed on the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s offices described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement in connection with the offering described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither this prospectus nor any prospectus supplement shall constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy offered securities in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offering or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the prospectus or prospectus supplement, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This document is called a “prospectus”, and it provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We have filed a registration statement (of which this prospectus forms a part) with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered. That prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus or any information incorporated by reference herein and in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you, and any information incorporated by reference into the foregoing, together with additional information described under the headings “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” before buying any of the securities offered under this prospectus.
Our SEC registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC’s web site or at the SEC’s offices. The SEC’s web site and street address are provided under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.
When acquiring securities, you should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, contained, or incorporated by reference, in the accompanying prospectus supplement, or contained, or incorporated by reference, in any free writing prospectus we have authorized to be distributed to you in connection with the offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or inconsistent information. You should not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. We are not offering the securities in any state where the offer is prohibited. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus authorized to be distributed by us or any document incorporated by reference is truthful or complete as of any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, assets, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.
This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference forward-looking statements. Any prospectus supplement or “free writing prospectus” we authorize may also contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should be considered together with the cautionary statements and important factors included or referred to in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into the foregoing. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus for more information. You should also carefully consider the various risk factors included in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into the foregoing from our SEC filings, which risk factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.
We are not making any representation to you regarding the legality of an investment by you in the securities we may offer under applicable law. You should consult with your own legal advisors as to the legal, tax, business, financial and related aspects of a purchase of any of the securities we may offer.
Information contained on or accessible through our web site, www.magnumhunterresources.com, does not constitute part of this prospectus.
In this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, references to the terms “the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” or similar references, refer to Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless we state or the context requires otherwise.
Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves many risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all of the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the risk factors and other information contained in or incorporated by reference into any accompanying prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. Additional risks related to us and our securities may be in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. In evaluating our company, the factors described below should be considered carefully. The occurrence of one or more of these events could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For more information please refer to the sections titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Future economic conditions in the U.S., Canada and global markets may have a material adverse impact on our business and financial condition that we currently cannot predict.
The U.S., Canadian and other world economies are slowly recovering from the economic recession that began in 2008. While economic growth has resumed, it remains modest and the timing of an economic recovery is uncertain. There are likely to be significant long-term effects resulting from the recession and credit market crisis, including a future global economic growth rate that is slower than what was experienced in recent years. Unemployment rates remain very high and businesses and consumer confidence levels have not yet fully recovered to pre-recession levels. In addition, more volatility may occur before a sustainable, yet lower, growth rate is achieved. Global economic growth drives demand for energy from all sources, including for oil and natural gas. A lower future economic growth rate will result in decreased demand for our crude oil and natural gas production as well as lower commodity prices, which will reduce our cash flows from operations and our profitability.
Volatility in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments.
The prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influence our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. Oil and natural gas are commodities, and therefore their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been extremely volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production, and the levels of our daily production, depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| · | the current uncertainty in the global economy; |
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| · | changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas; |
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| · | the condition of the U.S., Canadian and global economy; |
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| · | the actions of certain foreign countries; |
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| · | the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas; |
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| · | political conditions, including embargoes, war or civil unrest in or affecting other oil producing activities of certain countries; |
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| · | the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production activity; |
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| · | the level of global oil and natural gas inventories; |
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| · | production or pricing decisions made by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC; |
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| · | weather conditions; |
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| · | technological advances affecting energy consumption; and |
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| · | the price and availability of alternative fuels. |
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues on a per unit basis, but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically in the future. The higher operating costs associated with many of our oil fields will make our profitability more sensitive to oil price declines. A sustained decline in oil or natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures.
We have a history of losses and cannot assure you that we will be profitable in the foreseeable future.
Since we entered the oil and gas business in April 2005, through December 31, 2010, we had incurred a cumulative net loss from operations of $41.1 million. We also recorded net losses in the year ended December 31, 2010 and in the first quarter of 2011. If we fail to generate profits from our operations, we will not be able to sustain our business. We may never report profitable operations or generate sufficient revenue to maintain our company as a going concern.
We rely on liquidity from our senior credit facility and equity and debt financings to fund our operations and capital budget, which liquidity may not be available on acceptable terms or at all in the future.
We depend upon borrowings under our senior credit facility and the availability of equity and debt financing to fund our operations and planned capital expenditures. Borrowings under our senior credit facility and the availability of equity and debt financing are affected by prevailing economic conditions in our industry and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. We cannot predict whether additional liquidity from equity or debt financings beyond our senior credit facility will be available or acceptable on our terms, or at all, in the foreseeable future.
We do not have a significant operating history and, as a result, there is a limited amount of information about us on which to make an investment decision.
We have acquired a number of properties since June 2009, and consequently, a large amount of our focus has been on assimilating the properties, operations and personnel we have acquired into our organization. Accordingly, there is little operating history upon which to judge our business strategy, our management team or our current operations.
The recent financial crisis may have lasting effects on our liquidity, business and financial condition that we cannot predict.
Liquidity is essential to our business. Our liquidity could be substantially negatively affected by an inability to obtain capital in the long-term or short-term debt or equity capital markets or an inability to access bank financing. A prolonged credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system would likely materially affect our liquidity, business and financial condition. The economic situation could also adversely affect the collectibility of our trade receivables or performance by our suppliers and cause our commodity hedging arrangements to be ineffective if our counterparties are unable to perform their obligations or seek bankruptcy protection.
Failure to successfully integrate NGAS’ or NuLoch’s business could negatively impact our stock price and our future business and financial results.
The NGAS acquisition and the NuLoch acquisition (discussed below in the section titled “About Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation – Recent Developments”) are our largest acquisitions to date and as such may consume a significant amount of our management resources. Further, the NuLoch acquisition represents an expansion of our operations into a new geographic core area, with operating conditions and a regulatory environment that may not be as familiar to us as our existing core operating areas.
The success of the NGAS acquisition and NuLoch acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from integrating NGAS’ and NuLoch’s businesses with our existing businesses. The integration process may be complex, costly and time-consuming. To realize these anticipated benefits, we must successfully combine the businesses of NGAS and NuLoch in an efficient and effective manner. If we are not able to achieve these objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the acquisitions may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. We will also have incurred and will incur significant costs in connection with the NGAS acquisition and the NuLoch acquisition. The substantial majority of these costs are non-recurring transaction expenses and costs. In addition, in connection with the NGAS acquisition and the NuLoch acquisition, approximately $56.2 million and $12.25 million, respectively, of NGAS and NuLoch liabilities were assumed or refinanced under our senior credit facility.
Upon the recent completion of the NuLoch acquisition we expanded our operations into Canada, which will subject us to additional regulations and risks from foreign operations, including currency fluctuations, which could impact our financial position and results of operations.
Prior to the completion of the NuLoch acquisition, we operated solely in the United States, primarily in the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Williston Basin/Bakken Shale. Upon the consummation of the NuLoch acquisition we expanded our operations into portions of Canada which will expose us to a new regulatory environment and risks from foreign operations. Some of these additional risks include, but are not limited to:
| · | increases in governmental royalties; |
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| · | application of new tax laws (including host-country export, excise and income taxes and U.S. taxes on foreign operations); |
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| · | currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations; |
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| · | legal and governmental regulatory requirements; |
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| · | the loss of customers or key employees from the acquired businesses; |
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| · | difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations; and |
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| · | language and cultural differences. |
Our international operations also may be adversely affected by the laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment. In addition, if a dispute arises with respect to our foreign operations, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States.
Our operations require significant amounts of capital and additional financing may be necessary in order for us to continue our exploration and midstream activities, including meeting certain drilling obligations under our existing lease obligations and expanding our pipeline and gas processing facilities.
Our cash flow from our reserves, if any, may not be sufficient to fund our ongoing activities at all times. From time to time, we may require additional financing in order to carry out our oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and development activities. Failure to obtain such financing on a timely basis could cause us to forfeit our interest in certain properties as a result of not fulfilling our existing drilling commitments. Certain of our undeveloped leasehold acreage is subject to leases that will expire unless production is established or we meet certain capital expenditure and drilling requirements. If our revenues from our reserves decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices or otherwise, it will affect our ability to expend the necessary capital to replace our reserves or to maintain our current production. In addition, capital constraints could limit our ability to build and expand our intrastate pipeline system and our ability to complete the construction of our gas processing facilities. If our cash flow from operations is not sufficient to satisfy our capital expenditure requirements, there can be no assurance that additional debt or equity financing will be available to meet these requirements or available to us on favorable terms.
If our access to oil and gas markets is restricted, it could negatively impact our production, our income and ultimately our ability to retain our leases. Our ability to sell natural gas and/or receive market prices for our natural gas may be adversely affected by pipeline and gathering system capacity constraints.
Market conditions or the restriction in the availability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and terminal facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could materially harm our business. Our productive properties may be located in areas with limited or no access to pipelines, thereby necessitating delivery by other means, such as trucking, or requiring compression facilities. Such restrictions on our ability to sell our oil or natural gas may have several adverse effects, including higher transportation costs, fewer potential purchasers (thereby potentially resulting in a lower selling price) or, in the event we were unable to market and sustain production from a particular lease for an extended time, possibly causing us to lose a lease due to lack of production.
If drilling in the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale areas proves to be successful, the amount of oil and natural gas being produced by us and others could exceed the capacity of the various gathering and intrastate or interstate transportation pipelines currently available in these areas. If this occurs, it will be necessary for new pipelines and gathering systems to be built. Because of the current economic climate, certain pipeline projects that are planned for the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale areas may not occur for lack of financing. In addition, capital constraints could limit our ability to build intrastate gathering systems, such as our Eureka Hunter pipeline, necessary to transport our gas to interstate pipelines. In such event, we might have to shut in our wells awaiting a pipeline connection or capacity and/or sell natural gas production at significantly lower prices than those quoted on NYMEX or than we currently project for these specific regions, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
A portion of our natural gas and oil production in any region may be interrupted, or shut in, from time to time for numerous reasons, including as a result of weather conditions, accidents, loss of pipeline or gathering system access, field labor issues or strikes, or we might voluntarily curtail production in response to market conditions. If a substantial amount of our production is interrupted at the same time, it could temporarily adversely affect our cash flow.
We depend on a relatively small number of purchasers for a substantial portion of our revenue. The inability of one or more of our purchasers to meet their obligations may adversely affect our financial results.
We derive a significant amount of our revenue from a relatively small number of purchasers. Our inability to continue to provide services to key customers, if not offset by additional sales to our other customers, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. These companies may not provide the same level of our revenue in the future for a variety of reasons, including their lack of funding, a strategic shift on their part in moving to different geographic areas in which we do not operate or our failure to meet their performance criteria. The loss of all or a significant part of this revenue would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Shortages of equipment, services and qualified personnel could reduce our cash flow and adversely affect results of operations.
The demand for qualified and experienced field personnel to drill wells and conduct field operations, geologists, geophysicists, engineers and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry can fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with oil and natural gas prices and activity levels in new regions, causing periodic shortages. During periods of high oil and gas prices, we have experienced shortages of equipment, including drilling rigs and completion equipment, as demand for rigs and equipment has increased along with higher commodity prices and increased activity levels. In addition, there is currently a shortage of hydraulic fracturing capacity in many of the areas in which we operate. Higher oil and natural gas prices generally stimulate increased demand and result in increased prices for drilling rigs, crews and associated supplies, oilfield equipment and services and personnel in our exploration, production and midstream operations. These types of shortages or price increases could significantly decrease our profit margin, cash flow and operating results and/or restrict or delay our ability to drill those wells and conduct those operations that we currently have planned and budgeted, causing us to miss our forecasts and projections.
We cannot control activities on properties that we do not operate and are unable to control their proper operation and profitability.
We do not operate all of the properties in which we own an ownership interest. As a result, we have limited ability to exercise influence over, and control the risks associated with, the operations of these non-operated properties. The failure of an operator of our wells to adequately perform operations, an operator’s breach of the applicable agreements or an operator’s failure to act in ways that are in our best interests could reduce our production, revenues and reserves. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others therefore depend upon a number of factors outside of our control, including:
| · | the nature and timing of the operator’s drilling and other activities; |
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| · | the timing and amount of required capital expenditures; |
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| · | the operator’s geological and engineering expertise and financial resources; |
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| · | the approval of other participants in drilling wells; and |
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| · | the operator’s selection of suitable technology. |
Our development, exploration and midstream operations require substantial capital, and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.
The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the exploration for, and development, production, transportation, processing and acquisition of, oil and natural gas reserves. To date, we have financed capital expenditures primarily with proceeds from bank borrowings, cash generated by operations and proceeds from preferred and common stock equity offerings. We intend to finance our future capital expenditures with a combination of the sale of common and preferred equity, asset sales, cash flow from operations and current and new financing arrangements with our banks. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital is subject to a number of variables, including:
| · | our proved reserves; |
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| · | the amount of oil and natural gas we are able to produce from existing wells; |
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| · | the prices at which oil and natural gas are sold; and |
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| · | our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves. |
If our revenues decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels. We may need to seek additional financing in the future. In addition, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us, or at all, depending on market conditions. The failure to obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a possible loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves, or in our ability to expand, maintain and operate our pipeline and processing facilities. Also, our senior credit facility contains covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, grant liens, make certain payments, change the nature of our business, acquire or make expenditures for oil and gas properties outside of the U.S. and Canada, dispose of our assets or enter into mergers, consolidations or similar transactions, make investments, loans or advances, pay dividends on our outstanding stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, create new subsidiaries and enter into certain derivative transactions.
We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims as a result of our oil and natural gas operations, and we may not have enough insurance to cover all of the risks that we may ultimately face.
We maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses to protect against the risks we foresee. We do not carry business interruption insurance. We may elect not to carry certain types or amounts of insurance if our management believes that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, it is not possible to insure fully against pollution and environmental risks.
We are not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including the possibility of:
| · | environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the environment, including groundwater and shoreline contamination; |
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| · | abnormally pressured formations; |
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| · | mechanical difficulties, such as stuck oil field drilling and service tools and casing collapses; |
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| · | fires and explosions; |
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| · | personal injuries and death; and |
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| · | natural disasters. |
Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or result in substantial losses to us. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, then that accident or other event could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are dependent upon partnering and consultant arrangements.
We had a total of approximately 294 full-time and 11 part-time employees as of June 13, 2011. Despite this number of employees, we expect that we will continue to require the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, including reservoir engineering, land, legal, environmental and tax services. We will also pursue alliances with partners in the areas of geological and geophysical services and prospect generation, evaluation and prospect leasing. Our dependence on third party consultants and service providers creates a number of risks, including but not limited to:
| · | the possibility that such third parties may not be available to us as and when needed; and |
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| · | the risk that we may not be able to properly control the timing and quality of work conducted with respect to our projects. |
If we experience significant delays in obtaining the services of such third parties or poor performance by such parties, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our business may suffer if we lose key personnel.
Our operations depend on the continuing efforts of our executive officers and senior management. Our business or prospects could be adversely affected if any of these persons does not continue in their management role with us and we are unable to attract and retain qualified replacements. Additionally, we do not carry key person insurance for any of our executive officers or senior management.
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future success will depend on the success of our exploitation, exploration, development and production activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil or natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. Our costs of drilling, completing and operating wells are often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. Further, our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures could be materially and adversely affected by any factor that may curtail, delay or cancel drilling, including the following:
| · | delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory requirements; |
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| · | unusual or unexpected geological formations; |
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| · | pressure or irregularities in geological formations; |
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| · | shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment and qualified personnel; |
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| · | equipment malfunctions, failures or accidents; |
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| · | unexpected operational events and drilling conditions; |
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| · | pipe or cement failures; |
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| · | casing collapses; |
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| · | lost or damaged oilfield drilling and service tools; |
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| · | loss of drilling fluid circulation; |
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| · | uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas and fluids; |
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| · | fires and natural disasters; |
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| · | environmental hazards, such as natural gas leaks, oil spills, pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases; |
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| · | adverse weather conditions; |
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| · | reductions in oil and natural gas prices; |
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| · | oil and natural gas property title problems; and |
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| · | market limitations for oil and natural gas. |
If any of these factors were to occur with respect to a particular field, we could lose all or a part of our investment in the field, or we could fail to realize the expected benefits from the field, either of which could materially and adversely affect our revenue and profitability.
We may incur losses as a result of title deficiencies.
We purchase and acquire from third parties or directly from the mineral fee owners certain oil and gas leasehold interests and other real property interests, which we refer to as the Acquired Interests, upon which we will perform our drilling and exploration activities. The existence of a title deficiency can significantly devalue an Acquired Interest or render a lease worthless and can adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. As is customary in the oil and gas industry, we generally rely upon the judgment of oil and gas lease brokers or our internal independent landmen who perform the field work in examining records in the appropriate governmental offices and abstract facilities before attempting to acquire or place under lease a specific mineral interest and before drilling a well on a leased tract. The failure of title may not be discovered until after a well is drilled, in which case we may lose the lease and the right to produce all or a portion of the minerals under the property.
Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, which may adversely affect our ability to compete.
We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, exploiting mineral leases, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours, which can be particularly important in the areas in which we operate. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or personnel resources permit. Our ability to acquire additional prospects and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in an efficient manner even in a highly competitive environment. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and raising additional capital.
We have limited experience in drilling wells to the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale and limited information regarding reserves and decline rates in the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale. Wells drilled to these shale areas are more expensive and more susceptible to mechanical problems in drilling and completion techniques than wells in conventional areas.
We have limited experience in the drilling and completion of Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale wells, including limited horizontal drilling and completion experience. Other operators in the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale plays may have significantly more experience in the drilling and completion of these wells, including the drilling and completion of horizontal wells. In addition, we have limited information with respect to the ultimate recoverable reserves and production decline rates in these areas. The wells drilled in Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Bakken Shale are primarily horizontal and require more stimulation, which makes them more expensive to drill and complete. The wells will also be more susceptible to mechanical problems associated with the drilling and completion of the wells, such as casing collapse and lost equipment in the wellbore due to the length of the lateral portions of these unconventional wells. The fracturing of these shale formations will be more extensive and complicated than fracturing geological formations in conventional areas of operation.
Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.
Our prospects are in various stages of evaluation. There is no way to predict with certainty in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable, particularly in light of the current economic environment. The use of seismic data and other technologies, and the study of producing fields in the same area, will not enable us to know conclusively before drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in commercially viable quantities. Moreover, the analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored prospects or producing fields may not be applicable to our drilling prospects.
New technologies may cause our current exploration and drilling methods to become obsolete.
The oil and gas industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies. As competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, competitors may have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. One or more of the technologies that we currently use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. If we are unable to maintain technological advancements consistent with industry standards, our operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to operate our business.
As of June 13, 2011, our outstanding indebtedness was approximately $132 million. We will incur additional debt from time to time, and such borrowings may be substantial. Our debt could have material adverse consequences to us, including the following:
| · | it may be difficult for us to satisfy our obligations, including debt service requirements under our credit agreements; |
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| · | our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and other general corporate purposes may be impaired; |
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| · | a significant portion of our cash flow is committed to payments on our debt, which will reduce the funds available to us for other purposes, such as future capital expenditures; |
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| · | we are more vulnerable to price fluctuations and to economic downturns and adverse industry conditions and our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business or industry is more limited; and |
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| · | our ability to capitalize on business opportunities, and to react to competitive pressures, as compared to others in our industry, may be limited. |
Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending on reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production, and therefore our cash flow and income, are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, find or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production at acceptable costs, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Product price derivative contracts may expose us to potential financial loss.
To reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas, we currently and will likely in the future enter into derivative contracts in order to economically hedge a portion of our oil and natural gas production. Derivative contracts expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when:
| · | production is less than expected; |
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| · | the counterparty to the derivative contract defaults on its contract obligations; or |
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| · | there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the hedging agreement and actual prices received. |
In addition, these derivative contracts may limit the benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas. Under the terms of our senior credit facility, the percentage of our total production volumes with respect to which we will be allowed to enter into derivative contracts is limited, and we therefore retain the risk of a price decrease for our remaining production volume. Information as to these activities is set forth in the notes to our financial statements contained in our annual and quarterly reports that we file with the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
If oil and natural gas prices decline, we may be required to take additional write-downs of the carrying values of our oil and natural gas properties, potentially triggering earlier-than-anticipated repayments of any outstanding debt obligations and negatively impacting the trading value of our securities.
There is a risk that we will be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and gas properties, which would reduce our earnings and stockholders’ equity. We account for our crude oil and natural gas exploration and development activities using the successful efforts method of accounting. Under this method, costs of productive exploratory wells, developmental dry holes and productive wells and undeveloped leases are capitalized. Oil and gas lease acquisition costs are also capitalized. Exploration costs, including personnel costs, certain geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals for oil and gas leases, are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized, but charged to expense if and when the well is determined not to have found reserves in commercial quantities. The capitalized costs of our oil and gas properties may not exceed the estimated future net cash flows from our properties. If capitalized costs exceed future cash flows, we write down the costs of the properties to our estimate of fair market value. Any such charge will not affect our cash flow from operating activities, but will reduce our earnings and stockholders’ equity.
Write-downs could occur if oil and gas prices decline or if we have substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, increases in our estimates of development costs or deterioration in our drilling results. Because our properties currently serve, and will likely continue to serve, as collateral for advances under our existing and future credit facilities, a write-down in the carrying values of our properties could require us to repay debt earlier than we would otherwise be required. It is likely that the cumulative effect of a write-down could also negatively impact the value of our securities, including our common stock.
The application of the successful efforts method of accounting requires managerial judgment to determine the proper classification of wells designated as developmental or exploratory, which will ultimately determine the proper accounting treatment of the costs incurred. The results from a drilling operation can take considerable time to analyze and the determination that commercial reserves have been discovered requires both judgment and industry experience. Wells may be completed that are assumed to be productive but may actually deliver oil and gas in quantities insufficient to be economic, which may result in the abandonment of the wells at a later date. Future wells are drilled that target geological structures that are both developmental and exploratory in nature. A subsequent allocation of costs is then required to properly account for the results. The evaluation of oil and gas leasehold acquisition costs requires judgment to estimate the fair value of these costs with reference to drilling activity in a given area.
We review our oil and gas properties for impairment annually or whenever events and circumstances indicate a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and gas properties is not reversible at a later date even if oil or gas prices increase. Given the complexities associated with oil and gas reserve estimates and the history of price volatility in the oil and gas markets, events may arise that would require us to record an impairment of the book values associated with oil and gas properties.
Restrictive covenants in our senior credit facility may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
Our senior credit facility with our lenders contains certain negative covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to, with certain exceptions:
| · | incur indebtedness; |
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| · | grant liens; |
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| · | make certain payments; |
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| · | change the nature of our business; |
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| · | acquire or make expenditures for oil and gas properties outside of the U.S. and Canada; |
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| · | dispose of our assets or enter into mergers, consolidations or similar transactions; |
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| · | make investments, loans or advances; |
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| · | pay dividends on our outstanding stock; |
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| · | enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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| · | create new subsidiaries; and |
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| · | enter into certain derivative transactions. |
Our senior credit facility also requires us to satisfy certain financial covenants, including maintaining:
| · | an EBITDAX to interest ratio of not less than 2.5 to 1.0; |
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| · | a debt to EBITDAX ratio of not more than 4.5 to 1.0 through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, and of not more than 4.0 to 1.0 commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011; and |
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| · | a ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities of not less than 1.0 to 1.0. |
Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, and any material deviations from our forecasts could require us to seek waivers or amendments of covenants or alternative sources of financing or reduce our expenditures. We cannot assure you that such waivers, amendments or alternative financings could be obtained or, if obtained, would be on terms acceptable to us.
Our obligations under our senior credit facility are secured by substantially all of our assets, and any failure to meet our debt obligations would adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Certain of our subsidiaries, including PRC Williston, LLC, Magnum Hunter Resources LP, Magnum Hunter Resources GP, LLC, Triad Hunter, LLC, Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc., NGAS Production Co., NGAS Hunter, LLC, Williston Hunter Canada, Inc. and Williston Hunter, Inc. have each guaranteed the performance of our obligations under our senior credit facility, and our obligations under our senior credit facility have been collateralized through the grant of first priority liens on at least 80% of the value of the proved oil and gas properties held by us and certain of our subsidiaries. Such liens cover the properties acquired through the NGAS acquisition and the NuLoch acquisition.
Our ability to meet our debt obligations under our senior credit facility will depend on the future performance of our properties, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory and other factors, many of which we are unable to control. Our failure to service this debt could result in a default under our senior credit facility, which could result in the loss of our ownership interests in the secured properties and otherwise materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to complex federal, state and local laws and regulations, including environmental laws, which could adversely affect our business.
Exploration for and development, exploitation, production, processing, transportation and sale of oil and natural gas in the United States are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations, including complex tax laws and environmental laws and regulations. Existing laws or regulations, as currently interpreted or reinterpreted in the future, or future laws, regulations or incremental taxes and fees, could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with environmental and other governmental regulations.
It is possible that new taxes on our industry could be implemented and/or tax benefits could be eliminated or reduced, reducing our profitability and available cash flow. In addition to the short-term negative impact on our financial results, such additional burdens, if enacted, would reduce our funds available for reinvestment and thus ultimately reduce our growth and future oil and natural gas production.
Matters subject to regulation include oil and gas production and saltwater disposal operations and our processing, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, such as hydrocarbons and naturally occurring radioactive materials, discharge permits for drilling operations, spacing of wells, environmental protection and taxation. We could incur significant costs as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental or other laws, including third party claims for personal injuries and property damage, reclamation costs, remediation and clean-up costs resulting from oil spills and discharges of hazardous materials, fines and sanctions, and other environmental damages.
Enactment of legislative or regulatory proposals under consideration could negatively affect our business.
Numerous legislative and regulatory proposals affecting the oil and gas industry have been proposed or are under consideration by the current federal administration, Congress and various federal agencies. Among these proposals are: (1) climate change legislation introduced in Congress, Environmental Protection Agency regulations, carbon emission “cap-and-trade” regimens, and related proposals, none of which has been adopted in final form; (2) proposals contained in the President’s 2012 budget to repeal various tax deductions available to oil and gas producers, such as the current tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs, which if eliminated could raise the cost of energy production, reduce energy investment and affect the economics of oil and gas exploration and production activities; and (3) legislation being considered by Congress that would subject the process of hydraulic fracturing to federal regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Generally, any such future laws and regulations could result in increased costs or additional operating restrictions, and could have an effect on future demand for oil and gas or on oil and gas prices. Until any such legislation or regulations are enacted or adopted, it is not possible to gauge their impact on our future operations or our results of operations and financial condition.
Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
Congress is currently considering legislation to amend the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to require the disclosure of chemicals used by the oil and natural gas industry in the hydraulic fracturing process. Hydraulic fracturing is an important and necessary process in the completion of unconventional oil and natural gas wells in shale formations. This process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into rock formations to stimulate production. Sponsors of two companion bills, which are currently pending in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee have asserted that chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect drinking water supplies. The proposed legislation would require the reporting and public disclosure of chemicals used in the fracturing process, which could make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater. In addition, this legislation, if adopted, could establish an additional level of regulation at the federal level that could lead to operational delays or increased operating costs and could result in additional regulatory burdens. Several states, including Texas, are also considering implementing, or in some instances, have implemented, new regulations pertaining to hydraulic fracturing, including the disclosure of chemicals used in connection therewith. In March 2011, bills were introduced in the Texas Senate and House that, if adopted, would have required disclosure of specific information about the fluids and additives used in hydraulic fracturing treatment operations. The adoption of any future federal or state laws or implementing regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or otherwise limiting, the hydraulic fracturing process would make it more difficult and more expensive to complete new wells in shale formations and would increase our costs of compliance and doing business.
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the (i) oil, (ii) natural gas and (iii) natural gas liquids, or liquid hydrocarbons found in association with natural gas (“NGLs”) that we produce.
A variety of regulatory developments, proposals or requirements and legislative initiatives have been introduced in the United States that are focused on restricting the emission of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases. For example, the U.S. Congress is actively considering climate change-related legislation to restrict greenhouse gas emissions. Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether or when the U.S. Congress may act on climate change legislation, any future federal laws or implementing regulations that may be adopted to address greenhouse gas emissions could require us to incur increased operating costs and could adversely affect demand for the oil, natural gas and NGLs that we produce.
In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA that greenhouse gas emissions may be regulated as an “air pollutant” under the federal Clean Air Act. On December 15, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, officially published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” present an endangerment to human health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allowed the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. Since December 2009, the EPA has issued regulations that, among other things, require a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles and that impose greenhouse gas emission limitations in Clean Air Act permits for certain stationary sources. In addition, on October 30, 2009, the EPA published a final rule requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from specified large greenhouse gas emission sources in the United States beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010 and in subsequent years. On November 30, 2010, the EPA expanded its greenhouse reporting rule to include onshore petroleum and natural gas production, offshore petroleum and natural gas production, onshore natural gas processing, natural gas transmission, underground natural gas storage, liquefied natural gas storage, liquefied natural gas import and export, and natural gas distribution facilities. Under these rules, reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from such facilities is required on an annual basis, with reporting beginning in 2012 for emissions occurring in 2011.
Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether proposed legislation or regulations will be adopted as initially written, if at all, or how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address greenhouse gas emissions would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions. Any additional costs or operating restrictions associated with legislation or regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, these developments could curtail the demand for fossil fuels such as oil and gas in areas of the world where our customers operate and thus adversely affect demand for our products and services, which may in turn adversely affect our future results of operations.
We must obtain governmental permits and approvals for our drilling operations, which can be a costly and time consuming process, which may result in delays and restrictions on our operations.
Regulatory authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing and scope of specific permit issuance. Requirements imposed by these authorities may be costly and time consuming and may result in delays in the commencement or continuation of our exploration or production operations. For example, we are often required to prepare and present to federal, state or local authorities data pertaining to the effect or impact that proposed exploration for or production of oil or natural gas, pipeline construction, gas processing facilities and associated well production equipment may have on the environment. Further, the public may comment on and otherwise engage in the permitting process, including through intervention in the courts. Accordingly, the permits we need may not be issued, or if issued, may not be issued in a timely fashion, or may involve requirements that restrict our ability to conduct our operations or to do so profitably.
Our operations expose us to substantial costs and liabilities with respect to environmental matters.
Our oil and natural gas operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the release of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling or midstream construction activities commence, restrict the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment in connection with our drilling and production activities, limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas, and impose substantial liabilities for pollution that may result from our operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations or injunctive relief. Under existing environmental laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether the release resulted from our operations, or our operations were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to maintain compliance, and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, financial condition and results of operations.
The adoption of derivatives legislation by Congress and related regulations could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Act. The Act provides for new statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions, including certain oil and gas hedging transactions. In particular, the Act includes a requirement that certain hedging transactions be cleared and a requirement to post cash collateral for such transactions, although it is unclear whether the Act will apply to contracts for the sale of oil and gas for future delivery. The Act also provides for a potential exception from this clearing requirement for commercial end-users. However, many of the key concepts and defined terms under the Act must be delineated by rules and regulations to be adopted by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, or the CFTC, and other applicable regulatory agencies. As a consequence, it is difficult to predict the effect the Act may have on our hedging activities. Depending on the rules and definitions adopted by the CFTC, we might be required to provide cash collateral for our commodities hedging transactions. Such a requirement could result in significant liquidity issues by reducing our ability to use cash for investment or other corporate purposes. Moreover, our senior credit facility expressly prohibits us from entering into swap agreements that require the posting of cash or other collateral in connection with such agreements. In addition, a requirement to post cash collateral for hedging transactions could limit our ability to execute strategic hedges, which would result in increased commodity price uncertainty and volatility in our future cash flows.
Certain federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.
Among the changes contained in President Obama’s 2012 budget proposal released by the White House on February 14, 2011, is the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available to oil and gas exploration and production companies. Such changes include, but are not limited to:
| · | the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas properties; |
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| · | the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs; |
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| · | the elimination of the deduction for certain U.S. production activities; and |
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| · | an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. |
It is unclear, however, whether any such changes will be enacted or how soon such changes could be effective.
The Close Big Oil Tax Loophole Act, which was introduced in the Senate in February 2011, includes many of the same proposals but is limited to taxpayers with annual gross revenues in excess of $100.0 million. It is unclear whether any of the foregoing changes will actually be enacted or how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of the budget proposal, the Senate bill, or any other similar change in U.S. federal income tax law could eliminate certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and gas exploration and development, and any such change could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Acquired properties may not be worth what we pay due to uncertainties in evaluating recoverable reserves and other expected benefits, as well as potential liabilities.
Successful property acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors beyond our control. These factors include exploration and development potential, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, and potential environmental and other liabilities. These assessments are complex and inherently imprecise. Our review of the properties we acquire may not reveal all existing or potential problems. In addition, our review may not allow us to fully assess the potential deficiencies of the properties. We do not typically inspect every well, and even when we inspect a well we may not discover structural, subsurface, or environmental problems that may exist or arise. We may not be entitled to contractual indemnification for pre-closing liabilities, including environmental liabilities, and our contractual indemnification may not be effective. Often, we acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with limited remedies for breaches of representations and warranties by the previous owners. If an acquired property is not performing as originally estimated, we may have an impairment which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and future results of operations.
Our recent acquisitions and any future acquisitions may not be successful, may substantially increase our indebtedness and contingent liabilities, and may create integration difficulties.
As part of our business strategy, we have acquired and intend to continue to acquire businesses or assets we believe complement our existing operations and business plan. We may not be able to successfully integrate these acquisitions into our existing operations or achieve the desired profitability from such acquisitions. These acquisitions may require substantial capital expenditures and the incurrence of additional indebtedness which may change significantly our capitalization and results of operations. Further, these acquisitions could result in:
| · | post-closing discovery of material undisclosed liabilities of the acquired business or assets; |
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| · | the unexpected loss of key employees or customers from the acquired businesses; |
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| · | difficulties resulting from our integration of the operations, systems and management of the acquired business; and |
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| · | an unexpected diversion of our management’s attention from other operations. |
If acquisitions are unsuccessful or result in unanticipated events or if we are unable to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing operations, such acquisitions could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow. The process of integrating our operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business. Members of our management may be required to devote considerable amounts of time to this integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage our existing business. If management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our business could suffer.
We pursue acquisitions as part of our growth strategy and there are risks in connection with acquisitions.
Our growth has been attributable in part to acquisitions of producing properties and companies. We expect to continue to evaluate and, where appropriate, pursue acquisition opportunities on terms we consider favorable. However, we cannot assure you that suitable acquisition candidates will be identified in the future, or that we will be able to finance such acquisitions on favorable terms. In addition, we compete against other companies for acquisitions, and we cannot assure you that we will successfully acquire any material property interests. Further, we cannot assure you that future acquisitions by us will be integrated successfully into our operations or will increase our profits.
The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of numerous factors beyond our control, including, without limitation:
| · | recoverable reserves; |
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| · | exploration and development potential; |
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| · | future oil and natural gas prices; |
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| · | operating costs; and |
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| · | potential environmental and other liabilities. |
In connection with such an assessment, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. The resulting assessments are inexact and their accuracy uncertain, and such a review may not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it necessarily permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their merits and deficiencies within the time frame required to complete the transactions. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is made.
Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may be substantially different in operating and geologic characteristics or geographic location than our existing properties. While our current operations are primarily focused in the south Texas, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Dakota and Saskatchewan regions, we are pursuing and expect to continue to pursue acquisitions of properties located in other geographic areas.
Our current Eureka Hunter midstream operations and the expected future expansion of these operations, which include or will include natural gas gathering operations and a natural gas processing plant, subject us to additional governmental regulations.
We are currently constructing our Eureka Hunter pipeline, which will provide intrastate gas gathering services in support of our and other upstream producers’ operations in West Virginia and possibly Ohio. We have completed certain sections of the pipeline and anticipate further expansion of the pipeline in the future, which expansion will be determined by various factors, including the completion of construction, securing regulatory and governmental approvals, resolving any land management issues and connecting the pipeline to the producing sources of natural gas. We have also contracted for the construction of a gas processing facility which we anticipate will receive gas from the Eureka Hunter pipeline. Such facility is in the early stages of design and construction and is anticipated to be delivered in the early part of 2012.
The construction and operation of the Eureka Hunter pipeline and gas processing facility involve numerous regulatory, environmental, political and legal uncertainties beyond our control and require the expenditure of significant amounts of capital. There can be no assurance that these projects will be completed on schedule or at the budgeted cost, or at all. The operations of our gathering system, including the Eureka Hunter pipeline, in addition to the gas processing facility, are also subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways, including restricting the manner in which we dispose of substances, requiring remedial action to remove or mitigate contamination, and requiring capital expenditures to comply with control requirements. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where substances and wastes have been disposed or otherwise released. Moreover, there exists the possibility for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of substances or wastes into the environment.
There is inherent risk of the incurrence of environmental costs and liabilities in our business due to our handling of natural gas and other petroleum products, air emissions related to our operations, historical industry operations including releases of substances into the environment, and waste disposal practices. For example, an accidental release from the Eureka Hunter pipeline or our gas processing facility under construction could subject us to substantial liabilities arising from environmental cleanup, restoration costs and natural resource damages, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage, and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, the possibility exists that stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase our compliance costs and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary. We may not be able to recover some or any of these costs from insurance.
The use of geoscience, petrophysical and engineering analyses and other technical or operating data to evaluate drilling prospects is uncertain and does not guarantee drilling success or recovery of economically producible reserves.
Our decisions to explore, develop and acquire prospects or properties targeting the Eagle Ford Shale, Bakken Shale, Marcellus Shale, and other areas depend on data obtained through geoscience, petrophysical and engineering analyses, the results of which can be uncertain. Even when properly used and interpreted, data from whole cores, regional well log analyses and 3-D seismic only assist our technical team in identifying hydrocarbon indicators and subsurface structures and estimating hydrocarbons in place. They do not allow us to know conclusively the amount of hydrocarbons in place and if those hydrocarbons are producible economically. In addition, the use of advanced drilling and completion technologies for our Bakken Shale and Eagle Ford developments, such as horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture stimulations, requires greater expenditures than our traditional development drilling strategies. Our ability to commercially recover and produce the hydrocarbons that we believe are in place and attributable to the our properties will depend on the effective use of advanced drilling and completion techniques, the scope of our drilling program (which will be directly affected by the availability of capital), drilling and production costs, availability of drilling and completion services and equipment, drilling results, lease expirations, regulatory approval and geological and mechanical factors affecting recovery rates. Our estimates of unproved reserves, estimated ultimate recoveries per well, hydrocarbons in place and resource potential may change significantly as development of our oil and gas assets provides additional data.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements and information contained in this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference into the foregoing that are not statements of historical fact, including all estimates and assumptions contained herein, are “forward looking statements” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward looking statements include, among others, statements, estimates and assumptions relating to our business and growth strategies, budgets, projected costs, capital expenditures, savings and plans, competition, our oil and gas reserve estimates, our ability to successfully and economically explore for and develop oil and gas resources, our exploration and development prospects, future inventories, projects and programs, expectations relating to availability and costs of drilling rigs and field services, anticipated trends in our business or industry, our future results of operations, our liquidity and ability to finance our exploration and development activities, market conditions in the oil and gas industry and the impact of environmental and other governmental regulation. In addition, with respect to any of our acquisitions, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the acquisitions and their impact on our business; and any statements or assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In addition, with respect to our acquisitions, including the NGAS and NuLoch acquisitions, there are and will be risks and uncertainties related to our ability to successfully integrate our operations and employees and the acquired business. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “project”, “pursue”, “plan” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include the matters discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” above and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, accompanying prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference herein. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and beyond our control.
Factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, among other things: adverse economic conditions in the United States, Canada and globally; difficult and adverse conditions in the domestic and global capital and credit markets; changes in domestic and global demand for oil and natural gas; volatility in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas; operational constraints and potential mechanical failures at production facilities, processing plants or pipelines; the availability of sufficient pipeline and transportation facilities; the effects of government regulation, permitting, and other legal requirements; future developments with respect to the quality of our properties, including, among other things, the existence of reserves in economic quantities; uncertainties about the estimates of our oil and natural gas reserves; our ability to increase our production and oil and natural gas income through exploration and development; our ability to successfully apply horizontal drilling techniques and tertiary recovery methods; the number of well locations to be drilled, the cost to drill, and the time frame within which they will be drilled; drilling and operating risks; the availability of equipment, such as drilling rigs and gathering and transportation pipelines; changes in our drilling plans and related budgets; and the adequacy of our capital resources and liquidity including, but not limited to, access to additional borrowing capacity.
With respect to our recent and proposed acquisitions, factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits of the transactions; negative effects of announcement or consummation of the transactions on the market price of our common stock; significant transaction costs and/or unknown liabilities; general economic and business conditions that affect the companies following the transactions; and other factors.
These factors are in addition to the risks referred to in the section above entitled “Risk Factors.” Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference into the foregoing, or any “free writing prospectus” we authorize to be delivered to you, which speak only as of their respective dates. Other unknown or unpredictable factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, including estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. We urge you to review and consider disclosures we make in this prospectus and other materials that discuss factors germane to our business. See in particular our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
ABOUT MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORPORATION
Our Business
We are an independent oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas, primarily in West Virginia, Kentucky, North Dakota, Texas and Saskatchewan. We are presently active in three of the most prolific shale resource plays in the United States, namely the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale and Williston Basin/Bakken Shale. We are a Delaware corporation and were incorporated in 1997. In 2005, we began oil and gas operations under the name Petro Resources Corporation. In May 2009, we restructured our management team and refocused our business strategy, and in July 2009 we changed our name to Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation. The restructured management team includes Gary C. Evans as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Evans is the former founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc., a company of similar name that was sold to Cimarex Energy Corporation for $2.2 billion in June 2005.
Our new management implemented a business strategy consisting of exploiting our inventory of lower risk drilling locations and the acquisition of undeveloped leases and long-lived proved reserves with significant exploitation and development opportunities primarily located in unconventional resource plays. As a result of this strategy, we have substantially increased our assets and production base through a combination of acquisitions and ongoing development drilling efforts, our percentage of operated properties has increased significantly, our inventory of acreage and drilling locations in resource plays has grown and our management team has been expanded to accommodate this growth. Recently, management has focused on further developing and exploiting unconventional resource plays, the acquisition of additional operated properties, and the development of associated midstream opportunities directly related to certain of the regions in which we operate.
Our principal executive offices are located at 777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650, Houston, Texas 77056, and our telephone number is (832) 369-6986. Our web site is www.magnumhunterresources.com. Additional information that may be obtained through our web site does not constitute part of this prospectus. Copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K are located at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our filings at www.sec.gov. In addition, you may read our SEC filings at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, which is located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Recent Developments
Completed Acquisition of NGAS Resources, Inc.
On April 13, 2011, we acquired NGAS Resources, Inc., a British Columbia corporation, which we refer to as NGAS, pursuant to a plan of arrangement in which we agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity of NGAS, which we refer to as the NGAS acquisition. Operations acquired in the NGAS acquisition consist primarily of exploration and production activities focused on unconventional natural gas plays in the eastern United States, principally in the southern Appalachian Basin (the Huron and Weir Shales in Kentucky). The NGAS acquisition was implemented pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under British Columbia law.
For more information on how to obtain these documents, please see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
Completed Acquisition of NuLoch Resources Inc.
On May 3, 2011, pursuant to a plan of arrangement, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity of NuLoch Resources Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta (now known as Williston Hunter Canada, Inc.) through our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, MHR Exchangeco Corporation, a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta. We refer to this acquisition as the NuLoch acquisition. Operations acquired in the NuLoch acquisition consisted primarily of exploration and production activities in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, predominately in the evolving Bakken-Three Forks Sanish formations of the mid-continental Williston Basin in the United States and Canada.
For more information on how to obtain these documents, please see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
| | | | | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | |
Fixed Charges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Charges | | $ | 790 | | | $ | 3,593 | | | $ | 2,691 | | | $ | 2,361 | | | $ | 722 | | | $ | 4 | |
Series A Convertible Preferred | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 735 | | | $ | 511 | | | $ | - | |
Series B Perpetual Preferred | | $ | - | | | $ | 131 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Series C Perpetual Preferred | | $ | 2,562 | | | $ | 2,336 | | | $ | 26 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Series D Preferred | | $ | 45 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Total Fixed Charges | | $ | 3,397 | | | $ | 6,060 | | | $ | 2,717 | | | $ | 3,096 | | | $ | 1,233 | | | $ | 4 | |
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Loss Before Taxes and Non-controlling Interest | | $ | (6,658 | ) | | $ | (22,128 | ) | | $ | (15,633 | ) | | $ | (11,109 | ) | | $ | (5,916 | ) | | $ | (3,899 | ) |
Fixed Charges (Calculated Above) | | $ | 3,397 | | | $ | 6,060 | | | $ | 2,717 | | | $ | 3,096 | | | $ | 1,233 | | | $ | 4 | |
Earnings | | $ | (3,261 | ) | | $ | (16,068 | ) | | $ | (12,916 | ) | | $ | (8,013 | ) | | $ | (4,683 | ) | | $ | (3,895 | ) |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges with Preferred Dividend (1) | | | -(7) | | | | -(6) | | | | -(5) | | | | -(4) | | | | -(3) | | | | -(2) | |
(1) | | For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as income from continuing operations before income taxes and non-controlling interest, plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest incurred (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of deferred financing costs and an estimate of the interest within rental expense. All reported periods of the calculation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges exclude discontinued operations. |
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(2) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2006 by $3.9 million |
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(3) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2007 by $5.9 million |
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(4) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 by $11.1 million |
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(5) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2009 by $15.6 million |
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(6) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2010 by $22.1 million |
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(7) | | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2011 by $6.7 million |
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities under this prospectus for capital expenditures, working capital, acquisitions (whether direct or indirect) and other investments, repayment or refinancing of indebtedness, the possible repurchase of our common stock, investments in our subsidiaries, redemption of all or a portion of our outstanding equity interests, general corporate purposes or other purposes mentioned in any prospectus supplement. Pending any specific application, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Except as mentioned in any prospectus supplement, specific allocations of the proceeds to such purposes will not have been made at the date of that prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called indentures. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, will describe the terms of a particular series of debt securities and any related subsidiary guarantees.
The following is a summary of selected provisions and definitions of the indentures and debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The summary of selected provisions of the indentures and the debt securities appearing below is not complete and is subject to, and qualified entirely by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and the certificates evidencing the applicable debt securities. For additional information, you should look at the applicable indenture, including the form of the certificate evidencing the applicable debt security, that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. In this description of the debt securities, the words “the Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” refer only to Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation and not to any of our subsidiaries, unless we otherwise expressly state or the context otherwise requires.
The following description sets forth selected general terms and provisions of the applicable indenture and debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Other specific terms of the applicable indenture and debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the indenture or debt securities described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement.
General
Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.
We are not limited as to the amount of debt securities we may issue under the indentures. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened to issue additional debt securities of such series.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities will set forth:
| · | whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated; |
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| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount; |
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| · | the person who shall be entitled to receive interest, if other than the record holder on the record date; |
| · | the date or dates the principal will be payable; |
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| · | the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, if any, the date from which interest will accrue, the interest payment dates and the regular record dates, or the method for calculating the dates and rates; |
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| · | the place where payments may be made; |
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| · | any mandatory or optional redemption provisions or sinking fund provisions and any applicable redemption or purchase prices associated with these provisions; |
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| · | if issued other than in denominations of U.S. $1,000 or any multiple of U.S. $1,000, the denominations in which the debt securities shall be issuable; |
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| · | if applicable, the method for determining how the principal, premium, if any, or interest will be calculated by reference to an index or formula; |
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| · | if other than U.S. currency, the currency or currency units in which principal, premium, if any, or interest will be payable and whether we or a holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency; |
| · | the portion of the principal amount that will be payable upon acceleration of maturity, if other than the entire principal amount; |
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| · | if the principal amount payable at stated maturity will not be determinable as of any date prior to stated maturity, the amount or method for determining the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount; |
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| · | if applicable, whether the debt securities shall be subject to the defeasance provisions described below under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance” or such other defeasance provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for the debt securities; |
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| · | any conversion or exchange provisions; |
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| · | whether the debt securities will be issuable in the form of a global security; |
| · | any subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities if different from those described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities”; |
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| · | any paying agents, authenticating agents, security registrars or other agents for the debt securities, if other than the trustee; |
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| · | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities, including any provisions regarding the circumstances under which collateral may be released or substituted; |
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| · | any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default, acceleration provisions or covenants; |
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| · | any provisions relating to guarantees for the securities and any circumstances under which there may be additional obligors; and |
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| · | any other specific terms of such debt securities. |
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be registered debt securities. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at time of issuance is below market rates. The U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at a discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Guarantees
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities may be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. Such guarantees will be full, unconditional, and irrevocable, and will be joint and several, unless provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The other terms of any such guarantees, including any limitations thereon and the terms of release and discharge of any guarantor therefrom, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The obligations under any guarantee will be limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable federal or state laws.
Exchange and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us.
We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.
In the event of any partial redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
| · | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or |
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| · | register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion being redeemed in part. |
Initially, we will appoint the trustee as the security registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
Global Securities
The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:
| · | be registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee, that we will identify in a prospectus supplement; |
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| · | be deposited with the depositary or nominee or custodian; and |
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| · | bear any required legends. |
No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:
| · | the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary; |
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| · | an event of default is continuing with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series; or |
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| · | any other circumstance described in a prospectus supplement has occurred permitting or requiring the issuance of any such security. |
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be:
| · | entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names; |
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| · | entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; or |
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| · | considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture. |
Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants”. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants' interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf.
Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither any trustee nor we will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary's or any participant's records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the provisions described in this paragraph will apply to the debt securities. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder. The trustee will be designated as our initial paying agent.
We may also name any other paying agents in a prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of:
| · | 10 business days prior to the date the money would be turned over to the applicable state; or |
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| · | at the end of two years after such payment was due, will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment. |
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change in control.
Covenants
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, the debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of debt securities, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:
| · | the successor entity, if any, is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other business entity existing under the laws of the United States, any State within the United States or the District of Columbia; |
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| · | the successor entity assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indentures; |
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| · | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
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| · | certain other conditions are met. |
Events of Default
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default for any series of debt securities under the indentures:
| 1. | we fail to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due; |
| 2. | we fail to pay any interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days after it becomes due; |
| 3. | we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment when due; |
| 4. | we fail to perform any other covenant in the indenture and such failure continues for 90 days after we are given the notice required in the indentures; and |
| 5. | certain events including our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. |
Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities.
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, or any sinking fund installment on, or with respect to any conversion right of, the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee must consider it to be in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of such series to withhold this notice.
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, if an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (5) above, shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of at least a 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount and premium, if any, of the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be due and payable immediately.
If an event of default described in clause (5) above shall occur, the principal amount and premium, if any, of all the debt securities of that series, or if any debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, such other amount as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, will automatically become immediately due and payable. Any payment by us on the subordinated debt securities following any such acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities”.
After acceleration the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amounts or interest, have been cured or waived.
Other than the duty to act with the required care during an event of default, the trustee will not be obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request of the holders unless the holders shall have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
A holder of debt securities of any series will not have any right to institute any proceeding under the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:
| 1. | the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series; |
| 2. | the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to institute the proceeding; and |
| 3. | the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding and has not received direction inconsistent with the original request from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series within 60 days after the original request. |
Holders may, however, sue to enforce the payment of principal, premium or interest on any debt security on or after the due date or to enforce the right, if any, to convert any debt security (if the debt security is convertible) without following the procedures listed in (1) through (3) above.
We will furnish the trustee an annual statement by our officers as to whether or not we are in default in the performance of the conditions and covenants under the indenture and, if so, specifying all known defaults.
Modification and Waiver
Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the applicable trustee and we may make modifications and amendments to an indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment.
We may also make modifications and amendments to the indentures for the benefit of holders without their consent, for certain purposes including, but not limited to:
| · | providing for our successor to assume the covenants under the indenture; |
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| · | adding covenants or events of default; |
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| · | making certain changes to facilitate the issuance of the securities; |
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| · | providing for a successor trustee or additional trustees; |
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| · | curing any ambiguities or inconsistencies; |
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| · | providing for guarantees of, or additional obligors on, the securities; |
| · | permitting or facilitating the defeasance and discharge of the securities; and |
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| · | other changes specified in the indenture. |
However, neither the trustee nor we may make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of that series affected by the modification or amendment if such modification or amendment would:
| · | change the stated maturity of any debt security; |
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| · | reduce the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security or any amount payable upon redemption or repurchase, whether at our option or the option of any holder, or reduce the amount of any sinking fund payments; |
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| · | reduce the principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable on acceleration of maturity; |
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| · | change the place of payment or the currency in which any debt security is payable; |
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| · | impair the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption date; |
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| · | if subordinated debt securities, modify the subordination provisions in a materially adverse manner to the holders; |
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| · | adversely affect the right to convert any debt security if the debt security is a convertible debt security; or |
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| · | change the provisions in the indenture that relate to modifying or amending the indenture. |
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities, subject to limited exceptions, of any series that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit enough money with the trustee to pay all the principal, interest and any premium due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of the debt securities.
Each indenture contains a provision that permits us to elect either or both of the following:
| · | We may elect to be discharged from all of our obligations, subject to limited exceptions, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding. If we make this election, the holders of the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for the rights of holders to receive payments on debt securities or the registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities. |
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| · | We may elect to be released from our obligations under some or all of any financial or restrictive covenants applicable to the series of debt securities to which the election relates and from the consequences of an event of default resulting from a breach of those covenants. |
To make either of the above elections, we must irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee enough money to pay in full the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities. This amount may be made in cash and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, cash in the currency in which such series of securities is denominated and/or foreign government obligations. As a condition to either of the above elections, for debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the action.
Notices
Notices to holders will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders in the security register.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of New York.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
No incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer or director (or, in the absence of a subsidiary guarantee, subsidiary) of ours will have any liability for any obligations of ours, or because of the creation of any indebtedness under the debt securities, the indentures or supplemental indentures. The indentures provide that all such liability is expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of such indentures and the issuance of the debt securities.
Regarding the Trustee
The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims.
The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions with us. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
The accompanying prospectus supplement will specify the trustee for the particular series of debt securities to be issued under the indentures.
Subordinated Debt Securities
The following provisions will be applicable with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities, unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of subordinated debt securities.
The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities of any series is subordinated, to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the applicable prospectus supplement, to the prior payment in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of senior debt, of all senior debt, including any senior debt securities.
Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, marshalling of assets, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings, payments on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt, of all senior debt, including any senior debt securities.
In the event of any acceleration of the subordinated debt securities of any series because of an event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, holders of any senior debt would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution.
In addition, the subordinated debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables and lease obligations. This occurs because our right to receive any assets of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and your right to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary. If we are recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, our claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of the subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to us.
We are required to promptly notify holders of senior debt or their representatives under the subordinated indenture if payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.
Under the subordinated indenture, we may also not make payment on the subordinated debt securities if:
| · | a default in our obligations to pay principal, premium, interest or other amounts on our senior debt occurs and the default continues beyond any applicable grace period, which we refer to as a payment default; or |
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| · | any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt that permits holders of designated senior debt to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a payment blockage notice from us or some other person permitted to give the notice under the subordinated indenture, which we refer to as a non-payment default. |
We may and shall resume payments on the subordinated debt securities:
| · | in case of a payment default, when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and |
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| · | in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of when the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or 179 days after the receipt of the payment blockage notice. |
No new payment blockage period may start on the basis of a nonpayment default unless 365 days have elapsed from the effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee shall be the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior debt may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors. The subordination provisions will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the subordinated indenture.
The subordination provisions will not apply to payments from money or government obligations held in trust by the trustee for the payment of principal, interest and premium, if any, on subordinated debt securities pursuant to the provisions described under “Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance”, if the subordination provisions were not violated at the time the money or government obligations were deposited into trust.
If the trustee or any holder receives any payment that should not have been made to them in contravention of subordination provisions before all senior debt is paid in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to holders of senior debt, then such payment will be held in trust for the holders of senior debt.
Senior debt securities will constitute senior debt under the subordinated indenture.
Additional or different subordination provisions may be described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. The following is a summary description of the rights of our common stock and preferred stock and related provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, which are filed as exhibits to this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Common Stock
Common Stock Outstanding. As of May 10, 2011 there were 125,516,546 shares of Magnum Hunter common stock issued and outstanding. All shares of our common stock currently outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable. Any shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will, upon issuance, be fully paid and non-assessable.
Voting Rights. Each holder of Magnum Hunter common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Magnum Hunter common stock held of record on the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Except for the election of directors, which is determined by a plurality vote, or as otherwise may be provided by applicable law or the rules of the NYSE, all matters to be voted on by Magnum Hunter stockholders must be approved by a majority in voting interest of the Magnum Hunter stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. Holders of Magnum Hunter common stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Each of the directors will be elected annually by Magnum Hunter stockholders voting as a single class.
Dividend Rights. Holders of Magnum Hunter common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by Magnum Hunter’s board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any preferential dividend rights or other preferences granted to the holders of any outstanding Magnum Hunter preferred stock.
Rights upon Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Magnum Hunter, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Magnum Hunter common stock are entitled to share ratably, in all remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders after payment of or provision for Magnum Hunter’s liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of Magnum Hunter preferred stock, if any, then outstanding.
Preemptive Rights. Holders of Magnum Hunter common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any unissued or treasury shares or other securities.
Preferred Stock
The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each series of preferred stock will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to that series. As of May 10, 2011, there were 4,000,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock designated as 10.25% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, of which 4,000,000 shares were issued and outstanding, and there were 5,750,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock designated as 8.0% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, of which 1,266,013 shares were issued and outstanding.
Series C Preferred Stock
The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock have been fixed in a certificate of designation (as amended or supplemented, the “Series C Certificate of Designation”) and the material provisions are described below. The following description of our Series C Preferred Stock is intended as a summary only and does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Series C Certificate of Designation, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law. We urge you to read the certificate of designation because it, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock at a rate of 10.25% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to $2.5625 per annum per share). However, if any four consecutive or non-consecutive “Quarterly Dividend Defaults” (as described below) occur or if we fail to maintain the listing of the Series C Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex or The NASDAQ Global, Global Select or Capital Market, or a comparable national securities exchange (each a “national exchange”) for 180 consecutive days, the dividend rate on the Series C Preferred Stock will increase to 12.50% per annum until such time as the dividend arrearage is eliminated or the Series C Preferred Stock becomes listed on a national exchange. Effective as of October 1, 2010, dividends became payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each month; provided that if such day falls on a national holiday or a weekend, such dividends will be due and payable on the next business day following such weekend or national holiday. A “Quarterly Dividend Default” occurs if we fail to pay cash dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock in full for any monthly dividend period within a calendar quarter, provided that only one Quarterly Dividend Default may occur during each calendar quarter and only four Quarterly Dividend Defaults may occur within a calendar year.
Voting Rights. Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights. However, if any four consecutive or non-consecutive “Quarterly Dividend Defaults” occur or if we fail to maintain the listing of the Series C Preferred Stock on a national exchange for 180 consecutive days, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class with holders of all other series of parity shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect two directors to serve on our board of directors in addition to those directors then serving on our board of directors until such time as the dividend arrearage is eliminated or the Series C Preferred Stock becomes listed on a national exchange. In addition, certain changes that would be materially adverse to the rights of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and all other shares of preferred stock similarly affected and entitled to vote, voting as a single class.
Redemption Rights. The Series C Preferred Stock does not have any stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions, except under some circumstances upon a “Change of Ownership or Control” (as described below). Accordingly, the shares of Series C Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem them or purchase all or a portion of the shares in the open market. We are not required to set aside funds to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock.
We may not redeem the Series C Preferred Stock prior to December 14, 2011, except pursuant to the special redemption upon a Change of Ownership or Control discussed below. On and after December 14, 2011, we may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock for cash at our option, from time to time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to the redemption date.
Following a “Change of Ownership or Control” (as such term is defined in the Series C Certificate of Designation) of us by a person, entity or group other than a “Qualifying Public Company” (as such term is defined in the Series C Certificate of Designation), we (or the acquiring entity) will be required to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, within 90 days after the date on which the Change of Ownership or Control has occurred, for cash at the following price per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to the redemption date:
Redemption Date | Redemption Price |
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On or before December 14, 2011 | $25.50 |
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After December 14, 2011 | $25.00 |
A Change of Ownership or Control of us by a Qualifying Public Company will not require a mandatory redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock, but such Qualifying Public Company will have the right for a period of 90 days after a Change of Ownership or Control to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, pursuant to the special redemption provisions described above.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, from the assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to the distribution rights of any parity shares or senior shares (as described below), but before any distribution of assets to the holders of our common stock or other junior shares (as described below), cash in an amount equal to $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) up to the distribution date.
Conversion Rights. The Series C Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any stock or other securities or property of the Company.
Ranking. The Series C Preferred Stock ranks (i) senior to our common stock and any other equity securities that we may issue in the future, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank junior to the Series C Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, referred to as “junior shares”; (ii) equal to any shares of equity securities that we may issue in the future, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on par with the Series C Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up (any such creation would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock), referred to as “parity shares”; (iii) junior to all other equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the Series C Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up (any such creation would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock), referred to as “senior shares”; and (iv) junior to all our existing and future indebtedness.
Series D Preferred Stock
The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of shares of the Series D Preferred Stock have been fixed in a certificate of designation (as amended or supplemented, the “Series D Certificate of Designation”) and the material provisions are described below. The following description of our Series D Preferred Stock is intended as a summary only and does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Series D Certificate of Designation, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to this registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law. We urge you to read the certificate of designation because it, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock.
Dividend Rights. Holders of the Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock at a rate of 8.0% per annum of the $50.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to $4.00 per annum per share). However, under certain conditions relating to our non-payment of dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock or if the Series D Preferred Stock is no longer listed on a national exchange, the dividend rate on the Series D Preferred Stock may increase to 10.0% per annum, which we refer to as the “Penalty Rate.” Dividends will generally be payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month.
Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock will accrue regardless of whether (i) the terms of our senior shares (as defined below) or our agreements, including our credit facilities, at any time prohibit the current payment of dividends; (ii) we have earnings; (iii) there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends; or (iv) such dividends are declared by our board of directors. All payments of dividends made to the holders of Series D Preferred Stock will be credited against the previously accrued dividends on such shares of Series D Preferred Stock. We will credit any dividends paid on the Series D Preferred Stock first to the earliest accrued and unpaid dividend due. As described more fully under “Series D Ranking” below, the payment of dividends with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock is subordinate to any dividends to which holders of our Series C Preferred Stock are entitled.
Penalties as a Result of our Failure to Maintain a Listing on a National Exchange. Once the Series D Preferred Stock is eligible for listing, if we fail to maintain a listing of the Series D Preferred Stock on the NYSE, the NYSE Amex or The NASDAQ Global, Global Select or Capital Market, or a comparable national exchange (each a “national exchange”), for 180 consecutive days, then (i) the annual dividend rate on the Series D Preferred Stock will be increased to the Penalty Rate on the 181st day, and (ii) the holders of Series D Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class with holders of all other series of parity preferred shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect two directors to serve on our board of directors in addition to those directors then serving on the board of directors. Such increased dividend rate and director service will continue for so long the Series D Preferred Stock is not listed on a national exchange.
Penalties as a Result of Failure to Pay Dividends. If, at any time, there is a dividend default because cash dividends on the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock are accrued but not paid in full for any monthly dividend period within a quarterly period for a total of four consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly periods, then, until we have paid all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the shares of our Series D Preferred Stock in full: (i) the annual dividend rate on the Series D Preferred Stock will be increased to the Penalty Rate commencing on the first day after the fourth quarterly period in which a monthly payment is missed, (ii) if we do not pay dividends in cash, dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock, including all accrued but unpaid dividends, will be paid either (a) if our common stock is then listed on a national exchange, in the form of fully-tradable registered common stock of our Company (based on the weighted average daily trading price for the 10 business day period ending on the business day immediately preceding the payment) and cash in lieu of any fractional share, or (b) if our common stock is not then listed on a national exchange, in the form of additional shares of Series D Preferred Stock with a liquidation value equal to the amount of the dividend and cash in lieu of any fractional share, and (iii) the holders of Series D Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class with holders of all other series of parity preferred shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect two directors to serve on our board of directors, in addition to those directors then serving on our board of directors, until we have paid all dividends on the shares of our Series D Preferred Stock for all dividend periods up to and including the dividend payment date on which the accumulated and unpaid dividends are paid in full. Once we have paid all accumulated and unpaid dividends in full and have paid cash dividends at the Penalty Rate in full for an additional two consecutive quarters the dividend rate will be restored to the stated rate and the foregoing provisions will not be applicable unless we again fail to pay a monthly dividend during any future quarter.
Optional Redemption. We may not redeem the Series D Preferred Stock prior to March 21, 2014, except pursuant to the special redemption upon a Change of Ownership or Control discussed below. On and after March 21, 2014, we may redeem the Series D Preferred Stock for cash at our option, from time to time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $50.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date.
Special Redemption upon Change of Ownership or Control. Following a “Change of Ownership or Control” of us by a person, entity or group, we (or the acquiring entity) will have the option to redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, within 90 days after the date on which the Change of Ownership or Control has occurred, for cash at the following price per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared), up to the redemption date:
Redemption Date | Redemption Price |
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Prior to March 20, 2012 | $51.50 |
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On or after March 20, 2012 and prior to March 20, 2013 | $51.00 |
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On or after March 20, 2013 and prior to March 20, 2014 | $50.50 |
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After March 20, 2014 | $50.00 |
Series D Ranking. The Series D Preferred Stock will rank: (i) senior to our common stock and any other equity securities that we may issue in the future, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank junior to such Series D Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, referred to as “junior shares”, (ii) equal to any shares of equity securities that we may issue in the future, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on par with such Series D Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up (any such creation would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock), referred to as “parity shares”, (iii) junior to our existing Series C Preferred Stock, which has been fully issued, (iv) junior to all other equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to such Series D Preferred Stock, in each case with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up (any such creation would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock), referred to, together with the Series C Preferred Stock, as “senior shares”, and (v) junior to all our existing and future indebtedness.
Liquidation Preference. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our operations, the holders of our Series D Preferred Stock will have the right to receive $50.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to and including the date of payment, before any payments are made to the holders of our common stock and any other of our junior shares. The rights of the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportionate rights of holders of each other future series or class of parity shares and subordinate to the rights of senior shares, including the Series C Preferred Stock.
No Maturity or Mandatory Redemption. The Series D Preferred Stock does not have any stated maturity date and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions except for redemption at our option (or the option of the acquiring entity) under some circumstances upon a Change of Ownership or Control as described above or on or after March 21, 2014.
Voting Rights. Holders of the Series D Preferred Stock will generally only be entitled to vote on the authorization or creation of shares on parity with or ranking senior to the Series D Preferred Stock, certain acquisitions and share exchange transactions and changes that would be materially adverse to the rights of holders of Series D Preferred Stock. However, if cash dividends on any outstanding Series D Preferred Stock have not been paid in full for any monthly dividend period for any four consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly periods, or if we fail to maintain the listing of the Series D Preferred Stock on a national exchange for at least 180 consecutive days after the Series D Preferred Stock becomes eligible for listing on a national exchange, the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class with holders of all other series of parity shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect two directors to serve on our board of directors in addition to those directors then serving on our board of directors until such time as the Series D Preferred Stock becomes listed on a national exchange or the dividend arrearage is eliminated.
No Conversion Rights. The Series D Preferred Stock is not convertible into, or exchangeable for, any of our other property or securities.
Special Voting Preferred Stock
In connection with the NuLoch acquisition, MHR Exchangeco Corporation, our wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, issued shares, which we refer to as Exchangeable Shares, to certain former security holders of NuLoch Resources, Inc. (now known as Williston Hunter Canada, Inc.) who were residents of Canada. Each Exchangeable Share is substantially the economic equivalent of a share of our common stock and is generally exchangeable on a one-for-one basis into shares of our common stock. In addition, to permit the holders of Exchangeable Shares to effectively cast votes along with holders of our common stock, we created and issued one share of special voting preferred stock, which we refer to as the Special Voting Preferred Stock, which was issued to a trustee appointed pursuant to a voting and exchange trust agreement between us, MHR Exchangeco Corporation and the trustee thereunder, which we refer to as the Trust Agreement.
The share of Special Voting Preferred Stock has a par value of $0.01 per share. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the share of Special Voting Preferred Stock is entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable Shares as of the record date for determining our common stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or in connection with any applicable consent that are not owned by us or our affiliates, and as to which the holder of the share of Special Voting Preferred Stock has received voting instructions from the holders of such Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the Trust Agreement on all matters submitted to a vote of our common stockholders, including the election of directors. The holder of the share of Special Voting Preferred Stock and the holders of our shares of common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters, except to the extent voting as a separate class is required by applicable law. The trustee will exercise the voting rights attached to the Special Voting Preferred Stock in accordance with the Trust Agreement. The holder of the share of Special Voting Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive dividends from us and, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will not be entitled to receive any of our assets available for distribution to our common stockholders. At such time as the Special Voting Preferred Stock has no votes attached to it, the Special Voting Preferred Stock will be cancelled and retired without further action by us, our board of directors or our stockholders and without the payment of any consideration in exchange for such cancellation. The holder of the share of Special Voting Preferred Stock does not have any rights to convert such share into, or exchange such share for, shares of any other series or class of our capital stock or our other securities or property.
Other Series of Preferred Stock
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority without further action by our stockholders to issue one or more additional series of preferred stock. Our board of directors has the authority to fix the number of shares of any series of preferred stock and to determine the designation of any such series. Our board of directors is also authorized to determine and alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of preferred stock. In addition, within the limitations or restrictions stated in any resolution or resolutions of our board of directors originally fixing the number of shares constituting any series, our board of directors has the authority to increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding, the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control without further action by our stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock. These effects might include, among other things, restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock or impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock.
The prospectus supplement with respect to any issuance of preferred stock will specify:
| · | the maximum number of shares; |
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| · | the designation of the shares; |
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| · | the annual dividend rate, if any, whether the dividend rate is fixed or variable, the date dividends will accrue, the dividend payment dates, and whether dividends will be cumulative; |
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| · | the price and the terms and conditions for redemption, if any, including redemption at our option or at the option of the holders, including the time period for redemption, and any accumulated dividends or premiums; |
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| · | the liquidation preference, if any, and any accumulated dividends upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; |
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| · | any sinking fund or similar provision, and, if so, the terms and provisions relating to the purpose and operation of the fund; |
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| · | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion or exchange of the shares of preferred stock into or for shares of any other class or classes of our capital stock or any series of any other class or classes, or of any other series of the same class, or any other securities, including debt securities, or assets, including the price or the rate of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjustment; |
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| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
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| · | any voting rights; and |
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| · | any or all other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, privileges or qualifications, limitations or restrictions. |
Any shares of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will, upon issuance, be fully paid and non-assessable.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and to remove our incumbent directors and officers. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, those provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (as well as affiliates and associates of such stockholders) for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
| · | the transaction is approved by the board before the date the interested stockholder acquired the stock; |
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| · | upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding those shares owned by various employee benefit plans or persons who are directors and also officers; or |
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| · | on or after the date the stockholder acquired the stock, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:
| · | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
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| · | any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
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| · | subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
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| · | any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or |
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| · | the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.
A Delaware corporation may opt out of this provision either with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or in an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws approved by its stockholders. However, we have not opted out, and do not currently intend to opt out, of this provision. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire the Company.
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
In addition, some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might deem to be in the stockholders’ best interests. The existence of these provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
Authorized but Unissued Shares. The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, unless such approval is required by applicable law or listing rules of an applicable securities exchange or quotation system. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, such as for additional public offerings, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Amendment to Bylaws. Our board of directors is authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws without further stockholder approval.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and Matters to be Acted upon at Meetings. Our bylaws contain advance notice requirements for nominations for directors to our board of directors and for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
Call of Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman, by a majority of our board of directors, by our chief executive officer, by our president or by one or more stockholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at that meeting.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our certificate of incorporation limits, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on behalf of the Company, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. Exculpation does not apply if the director acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper benefit from his or her actions as a director.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he or she was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our bylaws provide that we may indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
There is no currently pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers for which indemnification is sought.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock and our preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Its address is 16633 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Addison, Texas 75001, and its telephone number is (800) 937-5449 or (718) 921-8124.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “MHR,” our Series C Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE Amex under the trading symbol “MHR.PrC,” and our Series D Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE Amex under the trading symbol “MHR.PrD”.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES
General
At our option, we may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in shares of preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. These rights may include dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.
The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary, under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.
The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement, our certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC. If applicable, material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to depositary shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dividends
The depositary will distribute cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, may adopt another method for the distribution, including selling the property and distributing the net proceeds to the holders.
Liquidation Preference
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Redemption
If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary receipts promptly upon receiving the notice from us and no fewer than 20 nor more than 60 days, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of those depositary receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock underlying that holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions. We will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to vote the preferred stock in accordance with these instructions. The depositary will not vote the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Owners of depositary shares will be entitled to receive upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, the number of whole shares of preferred stock underlying their depositary shares.
Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. Holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit the shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares for the preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between the depositary and us. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:
| · | all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or |
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| · | there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our dissolution and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares. |
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangement. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with:
| · | the initial deposit of the preferred stock; |
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| · | the initial issuance of the depositary shares; |
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| · | any redemption of the preferred stock; and |
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| · | all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. |
Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and other specified charges as provided in the deposit agreement for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid, the depositary may:
| · | refuse to transfer depositary shares; |
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| · | withhold dividends and distributions; and |
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| · | sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt. |
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications we deliver to the depositary that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.
Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if either the depositary or we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond the control of either the depositary or us in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and the depositary's obligations will be limited to the performance in good faith of our or the depositary’s respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither the depositary nor we will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The depositary and we may rely on:
| · | written advice of counsel or accountants; |
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| · | information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information; and |
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| · | documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. |
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering a notice to us. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank and trust company having its principal office in the United States of America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement for that series of warrants and the warrant agreement for that particular series.
Stock Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the warrants; |
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| · | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
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| · | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
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| · | the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants; |
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| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security; |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable; |
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| · | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for the warrants; |
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| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire; |
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| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
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| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
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| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
| · | the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
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| · | the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; |
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| · | any provisions with respect to holder's right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control; and |
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| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants. |
Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled to:
| · | vote, consent or receive dividends; |
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| · | receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or |
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| · | exercise any rights as stockholders of the Company. |
Debt Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase debt securities will describe the terms of the debt warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the warrants; |
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| · | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
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| · | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
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| · | the designation and terms of the debt securities, including any conversion rights, purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants; |
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| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the debt warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable; |
| · | the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a debt warrant and the exercise price for the warrants, which may be payable in cash, securities or other property; |
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| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the debt warrants will commence and expire; |
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| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
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| · | whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; |
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| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
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| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
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| · | the anti-dilution provisions of the debt warrants, if any; |
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| · | the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the debt warrants; |
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| · | any provisions with respect to the holder's right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control; and |
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| · | any additional terms of the debt warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the debt warrants. |
Debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations. Debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payment of principal or any premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE
In this section, we describe special considerations that will apply to registered securities issued in global—i.e., book-entry—form. First we describe the difference between legal ownership and indirect ownership of registered securities. Then we describe special provisions that apply to global securities.
Who is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?
Each debt security, share of common stock or preferred stock and depositary share in registered form will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. We refer to those who have securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee or other agent maintain for this purpose, as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names as indirect owners of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect owners are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect owners.
Book-Entry Owners
We expect to issue debt securities and depositary shares in book-entry form only. We may issue shares of common stock in book-entry form. This means those securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Under each indenture or other applicable agreement, only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities and we will make all payments on the securities, including deliveries of common or preferred stock in exchange for exchangeable debt securities, to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.
As a result, investors will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect owners, and not holders, of the securities.
Street Name Owners
In the future we may terminate a global security or issue securities initially in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in street name. Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities and we will make all payments on those securities, including deliveries of common or preferred stock in exchange for exchangeable debt securities, to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect owners, not holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee under any indenture and the obligations, if any, of any other third parties employed by us, the trustee or any agents, run only to the holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect owner of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for that payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect owners but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose—e.g., to amend the indenture for a series of debt securities or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture—we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect owners, of the relevant securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect owners is up to the holders.
When we refer to “you” in this section of the prospectus, we mean those who invest in the securities being offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners of those securities. When we refer to “your securities” in this section of the prospectus, we mean the securities in which you will hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Owners
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
| · | how it handles securities payments and notices; |
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| · | whether it imposes fees or charges; |
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| · | how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required; |
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| · | whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future; |
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| · | how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and |
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| · | if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
What is a Global Security?
A global security is issued in book-entry form only. Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of one or more financial institutions or clearing systems, or their nominees, which we select. A financial institution or clearing system that we select for any security for this purpose is called the “depositary” for that security. A security will usually have only one depositary but it may have more.
Each series of these securities will have one or more of the following as the depositaries:
| · | The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which is known as “DTC”; |
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| · | a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, which is known as “Euroclear”; |
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| · | a financial institution holding the securities on behalf of Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, which is known as “Clearstream”; and |
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| · | any other clearing system or financial institution named in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The depositaries named above may also be participants in one another’s systems. Thus, for example, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, investors may hold beneficial interests in that security through Euroclear or Clearstream, as DTC participants. The depositary or depositaries for your securities will be named in your prospectus supplement; if none is named, the depositary will be DTC.
A global security may represent one or any other number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same global security will have the same terms. We may, however, issue a global security that represents multiple securities of the same kind, such as debt securities, that have different terms and are issued at different times. We call this kind of global security a master global security. Your prospectus supplement will indicate whether your securities are represented by a master global security.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Holder’s Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only indirect interests in a global security. Indirect interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect owner of an interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can occur below under “Holder’s Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect owner, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the depositary and those of the investor's financial institution or other intermediary through which it holds its interest (e.g., Euroclear or Clearstream, if DTC is the depositary), as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor or any intermediary as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
| · | An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her own name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below; |
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| · | An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above under “Who is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?”; |
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| · | An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form; |
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| · | An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; |
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| · | The depositary’s policies will govern payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security, and those policies may change from time to time. We, the trustee and any agents will have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s policies, actions or records of ownership interests in a global security. We, the trustee and any agents also do not supervise the depositary in any way; |
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| · | The depositary will require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and |
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| · | Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system and through which an investor holds its interest in the global securities, directly or indirectly, may also have their own policies affecting payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities, and those policies may change from time to time. For example, if you hold an interest in a global security through Euroclear or Clearstream, when DTC is the depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, will require those who purchase and sell interests in that security through them to use immediately available funds and comply with other policies and procedures, including deadlines for giving instructions as to transactions that are to be effected on a particular day. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the policies or actions or records of ownership interests of any of those intermediaries. |
Holder’s Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
If we issue any series of securities in book-entry form, but we choose to give the beneficial owners of that series the right to obtain non-global securities, any beneficial owner entitled to obtain non-global securities may do so by following the applicable procedures of the depositary, any transfer agent or registrar for that series and that owner’s bank, broker or other financial institution through which that owner holds its beneficial interest in the securities. For example, in the case of a global security representing shares of preferred stock or depositary shares, a beneficial owner will be entitled to obtain a non-global security representing its interest by making a written request to the transfer agent or other agent designated by us. If you are entitled to request a non-global certificate and wish to do so, you will need to allow sufficient lead time to enable us or our agent to prepare the requested certificate.
In addition, in a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above under “—Who is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?”
The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:
| · | if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security or the depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in either case we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; |
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| · | in the case of a global security representing debt securities, if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities and has not been cured or waived; or |
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| · | any other circumstances specified for this purpose in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee for any debt securities, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those securities.
Considerations Relating to Euroclear and Clearstream
Euroclear and Clearstream are securities clearance systems in Europe. Both systems clear and settle securities transactions between their participants through electronic, book-entry delivery of securities against payment.
Euroclear and Clearstream may be depositaries for a global security. In addition, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global security as participants in DTC.
As long as any global security is held by Euroclear or Clearstream, as depositary, you may hold an interest in the global security only through an organization that participates, directly or indirectly, in Euroclear or Clearstream. If Euroclear or Clearstream is the depositary for a global security and there is no depositary in the United States, you will not be able to hold interests in that global security through any securities clearance system in the United States.
Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants and we take no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the one hand, and participants in DTC, on the other hand, when DTC is the depositary, would also be subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.
Special Timing Considerations for Transactions in Euroclear and Clearstream
Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.
In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchases or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than would be the case for transactions within one clearing system.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways:
| · | directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; |
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| · | to investors through agents; |
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| · | to or through brokers or dealers; |
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| · | to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters for resale to investors or to the public; |
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| · | to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public; |
| · | through a block trade (which may involve crosses) in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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| · | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; |
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| · | in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; |
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| · | transactions not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales or privately negotiated transactions; |
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| · | exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions; |
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| · | by delayed delivery contracts or by remarketing firms; |
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| · | transactions in options, swaps or other derivatives that may or may not be listed on an exchange; or |
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| · | through a combination of any such methods of sale. |
Our common stock and preferred stock may be issued upon conversion of debt securities or preferred stock. Securities may also be issued upon exercise of warrants. We reserve the right to sell securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so.
The securities may be distributed at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, or negotiated prices. Any of the prices may represent a discount from the prevailing market prices. In the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will, where applicable, describe, disclose or identify:
| · | the terms of the offering; |
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| · | any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
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| · | any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
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| · | the purchase price of the securities; |
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| · | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; |
| · | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
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| · | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters' compensation; |
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| · | any initial public offering price; |
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| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
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| · | any commissions paid to agents. |
Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis. If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with us. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this prospectus, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
We may sell the securities offered through this prospectus directly or through agents designated from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities may also be offered or sold by a “remarketing firm” in connection with a remarketing arrangement contemplated by the terms of the securities. Remarketing firms may act as principals for their own accounts or as agents. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us. It will also describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the remarketing of the securities.
If the prospectus supplement indicates, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
We may from time to time engage a firm to act as our agent for one or more offerings of our securities. We sometimes refer to this agent as our “offering agent.” If we reach agreement with an offering agent with respect to a specific offering, including the number of securities and any minimum price below which sales may not be made, than the offering agent will try to sell such securities on the agreed terms. The offering agent could make sales in privately negotiated transactions or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on an exchange, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The offering agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sales effected through an “at the market” offering.
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, each series of offered securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market, other than shares of our common stock, which are listed on the NYSE, and our Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, which are listed on the NYSE Amex. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange. Any underwriters that we use in the sale of offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.
Any underwriter may also engage in stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 104 under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.
We, the underwriters or other agents may engage in derivative transactions involving the securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, we may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative transactions through sales of the securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents may also use the securities purchased or borrowed from us or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.
We may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since we may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet (sometimes referred to as the “world wide web”) or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you will want to pay particular attention to the description of that system we will provide in a prospectus supplement.
Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by us, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder's individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of debt security, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.
Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.
Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
LEGAL MATTERS
In connection with particular offerings of our securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities or certain other related legal matters may be passed upon for us by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, and for any agents, underwriters or dealers by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Certain legal matters in connection with the offerings may also be passed upon for us by Paul M. Johnston, our Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, incorporated into this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, have been audited by Hein & Associates LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is incorporated by reference herein and has been incorporated in reliance upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, incorporated into this prospectus by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as amended, have been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is incorporated by reference herein and has been incorporated in reliance upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The statement of revenues and direct operation expenses of the properties acquired from Quest Eastern Resources LLC and PostRock MidContinent Production, LLC as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009, incorporated into this prospectus by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2011, have been audited by UHY LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is incorporated by reference herein and has been incorporated in reliance upon its authority as an expert in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of NGAS Resources, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, incorporated into this prospectus by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2011, have been audited by Hall, Kistler & Company LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is incorporated by reference herein and has been incorporated in reliance upon its authority as an expert in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of NuLoch Resources Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010, incorporated into this prospectus by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2011, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors, as stated in its report, which is incorporated by reference herein and has been incorporated in reliance upon its authority as an expert in accounting and auditing.
Certain estimates of our proved oil and gas reserves incorporated by reference herein were based upon engineering reports prepared by Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum consultants. Certain estimates of NGAS Resources, Inc.’s proved oil and gas reserves incorporated by reference herein were based upon engineering reports prepared by Wright & Company, Inc., an independent petroleum consultant. Certain estimates of NuLoch Resources Inc.’s proved oil and gas reserves incorporated by reference herein were based upon engineering reports prepared by AJM Petroleum Consultants, an independent petroleum consultant. These estimates are incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and contains significant information about us, our business and our finances. Later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the information and documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K):
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2010; |
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| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on May 9, 2011; |
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| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2011, January 18, 2011, January 19, 2011, January 25, 2011, January 31, 2011, February 1, 2011, February 18, 2011, March 2, 2011, March 9, 2011, March 16, 2011, March 17, 2011, March 21, 2011, March 28, 2011, April 12, 2011, April 13, 2011, April 14, 2011, May 3, 2011, May 5, 2011, May 9, 2011, May 10, 2011, May 13, 2011 and June 2, 2011 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed on March 2, 2011, March 16, 2011, April 28, 2011 and May 25, 2011; |
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| · | The description of our common stock included in the Form 8-A filed on August 25, 2006, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description; |
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| · | The description of our Series C Preferred Stock included in the Form 8-A filed on December 10, 2009, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description; |
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| · | The description of our Series D Preferred Stock included in the Form 8-A filed on March 16, 2011, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description; |
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| · | our Definitive Proxy Statement relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 29, 2011, filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on April 1, 2011; and |
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| · | all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering, except as to any portion of any future report or document that is furnished to the SEC and which is not deemed “filed” with the SEC under such provisions. |
You may access our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to any of these reports, free of charge, on the SEC’s web site.
In addition, we will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (not including exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or into such documents). Such requests may be directed to the Corporate Secretary, Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation, 777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 650, Houston, Texas 77056, or you may call (832) 369-6986.
In accordance with Section 412 of the Exchange Act, any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded will not constitute a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated by reference exhibits into the registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference into the foregoing is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or the date of the applicable prospectus supplement or other documents.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. Certain information in the registration statement has been omitted from this prospectus in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to those filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with the Exchange Act, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us are available to the public free of charge at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our web site at www.magnumhunterresources.com. The information on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, you may read our SEC filings at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, which is located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation
$400,000,000
Debt Securities
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
PROSPECTUS
_______________, 2011
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Generally, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered will be borne by the Registrant and are set forth in the following table. All amounts except the registration fee are estimated in accordance with Instruction to Item 511 of Regulation S-K.
SEC registration fee | | $ | 34,834** | |
Printing fees | | | * | |
Trustee’s fees and expenses | | | * | |
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses | | | * | |
Legal fees and expenses | | | * | |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | * | |
Miscellaneous | | | * | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | 34,834 | |
* | | As an indeterminable number of securities are covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of those securities are not currently determinable. |
** | | Represents the total amount of filing fees paid in connection with this Registration Statement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Delaware Corporation
As permitted by Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the certificate of incorporation of Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Our bylaws provide that:
| · | we may indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law; and |
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| · | we may advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. |
Pursuant to Section 145(a) of the DGCL, we may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of our company or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. Pursuant to Section 145(b) of the DGCL, the power to indemnify also applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit. Pursuant to Section 145(b), we shall not indemnify any person in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. The power to indemnify under Sections 145(a) and (b) of the DGCL applies (i) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
The indemnification provisions contained in our bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. In addition, we maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers insuring them against certain liabilities that may be asserted against them in their capacities as directors or officers or arising out of such status.
Williston Hunter, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and its certificate of incorporation provides that it may indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In addition, Williston Hunter, Inc.'s bylaws provide that it shall indemnify its directors and officers against any action by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of officer of the company against all expenses and amounts incurred in connection with the defense of such action. In addition, the bylaws of Williston Hunter, Inc. also provide that it is required to advance expenses to individuals acting as its director or officer in connection with proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified.
Delaware Limited Liability Company
Triad Hunter, LLC, Hunter Disposal, LLC, NGAS Hunter, LLC, Williston Hunter ND, LLC, and MHR Acquisition Company III, LLC (collectively, the “Delaware LLC Co-Registrants”) are organized in the State of Delaware as limited liability companies. Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The limited liability company agreements of each of the Delaware LLC Co-Registrants do not contain any provisions with respect to indemnification rights of officers, members or managers.
To the extent that the indemnification provisions of the Delaware LLC Co-Registrants purport to include indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
Kentucky Corporation
NGAS Production Co. is a Kentucky corporation and its bylaws provide that it may indemnify an individual made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she was a director or officer of the corporation against liability if he or she acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the corporation’s best interest and in the case of a criminal proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. NGAS Production Co.’s bylaws provide that it shall indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she was a party by reason of the fact that he or she was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such proceeding.
Section 271B.8-510 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act or KBCA permits a corporation to indemnify an individual who is made a party to a proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) because the individual is or was a director against the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine or reasonable expenses (including counsel fees) incurred with respect to the proceeding, as long as the individual (i) conducted himself or herself in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity with the corporation, that the conduct was in the best interests of the corporation or, in all other cases, was at least not opposed to its best interests, and (iii) in a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, except that indemnification only extends to reasonable expenses. No indemnification is permitted in a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the director is adjudged liable to the corporation, or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the director, whether or not involving action in the director’s official capacity, where the director is adjudged liable on the basis of having received an improper personal benefit. In addition, Section 271B.8-520 of the KBCA provides that, unless limited by the articles of incorporation, a corporation shall indemnify against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding any director who entirely prevails in the defense of any proceeding to which the individual was a party because he or she is or was a director of the corporation. Although Sections 271B.8-510 and 271B.8-520 of the KBCA are specific to directors, Section 271B.8-560 also permits a Kentucky corporation to indemnify its officers to the same extent as a director and gives an officer who is not a director the same statutory right to mandatory indemnification and to apply for court-ordered indemnification as afforded a director.
Colorado Corporation
Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc. is a Colorado corporation and its bylaws provide that it shall indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he or she was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section 7-109-103 of the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the “CBCA”) provides that a Colorado corporation must indemnify a person (i) who is or was a director of the corporation or an individual who, while serving as a director of the corporation, is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, agent, associate, employee, fiduciary, manager, member, partner, promoter, trustee of, or similar position with, another corporation or other entity or of any employee benefit plan (collectively, a “Colorado Director”) or officer of the corporation and (ii) who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal (a “Proceeding”), in which the Colorado Director was a party, against reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with the Proceeding, unless such indemnity is limited by the corporation’s articles of incorporation. Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc.’s articles of incorporation do not contain any such limitation.
Section 7-109-102 of the CBCA generally provides that a corporation may indemnify a person made a party to a Proceeding because the person is or was a Colorado Director, against any obligation incurred in the Proceeding if: (a) the Colorado Director’s conduct was in good faith; and (b) the Colorado Director reasonably believed (i) in the case of conduct in an official capacity with the corporation, that such conduct was in the corporation’s best interests; and (ii) in all other cases, that such conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests; and (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe the Colorado Director’s conduct was unlawful. However, a corporation may not indemnify a Colorado Director: (a) in connection with a Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the Colorado Director was adjudged liable to the corporation; or (b) in connection with any other Proceeding charging that the Colorado Director derived an improper personal benefit, whether or not involving action in an official capacity, in which Proceeding the Colorado Director was adjudged liable on the basis that the Colorado Director derived an improper personal benefit.
Section 7-109-105 of the CBCA authorizes a court of competent jurisdiction to order indemnification if it determines that the Colorado Director is (i) entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 7-109-103 (in which case the court also shall order the Colorado corporation to pay the Colorado Director’s reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court-ordered indemnification) or (ii) fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all of the relevant circumstances, whether or not the Colorado Director met the standard of conduct under Section 7-109-102 or was adjudged liable in an action by or in the right of Eagle Ford Hunter Inc. or on the basis that he or she derived an improper personal benefit (except that the indemnification in these circumstances is limited to the reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the Proceeding and reasonable expenses incurred to obtain court-ordered indemnification).
Under Section 7-109-107 of the CBCA, unless otherwise provided in its articles of incorporation, a Colorado corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the corporation to the same extent as a Colorado Director and may indemnify such a person who is not a Colorado Director to a greater extent, if not inconsistent with public policy and if provided for by its bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors or shareholders, or contract. Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc.’s articles of incorporation do not contain any such limitation.
Section 7-109-108 allows a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a Colorado Director or officer against liability arising from such person’s status as a Colorado Director or officer regardless of whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against the same liability under the CBCA. Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the benefit of its directors and officers, including those of Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
See the exhibit index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
A. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report, pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(8) That:
(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(9) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORPORATION | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or director of Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | Chairman of the Board and | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | Chief Executive Officer | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | President and Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ David S. Krueger | | Senior Vice President and | | June 14, 2011 |
David S. Krueger | | Chief Accounting Officer | | |
| | | | |
/s/ J. Raleigh Bailes, Sr. | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
J. Raleigh Bailes, Sr. | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Victor G. Carrillo | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Victor G. Carrillo | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Brad Bynum | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Brad Bynum | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary L. Hall | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary L. Hall | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Joe L. McClaugherty | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Joe L. McClaugherty | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Steven A. Pfeifer | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Steven A. Pfeifer | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/Jeff Swanson | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Jeff Swanson | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| EAGLE FORD HUNTER, INC. | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: President | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or director of Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ H. C. “Kip” Ferguson | | Director | | June 14, 2011 |
H. C. “Kip” Ferguson | | | | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| TRIAD HUNTER, LLC | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: President | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of Triad Hunter, LLC.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation | | Sole Managing Member | | June 14, 2011 |
By: /s/ Gary C. Evans | | | | |
Name: Gary C. Evans Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| HUNTER DISPOSAL, LLC | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title:President | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of Hunter Disposal, LLC.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
Triad Hunter, LLC | | Sole Managing Member | | June 14, 2011 |
By: /s/ Gary C. Evans | | | | |
Name: Gary C. Evans Title: President | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| NGAS HUNTER, LLC | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: President (principal executive officer) | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of NGAS Hunter, LLC.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President and Treasurer | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation | | Sole Managing Member | | June 14, 2011 |
By: /s/ Gary C. Evans | | | | |
Name: Gary C. Evans Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| WILLISTON HUNTER ND, LLC | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: President (principal executive officer) | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of Williston Hunter ND, LLC.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President and Treasurer | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation | | Sole Managing Member | | June 14, 2011 |
By: /s/ Gary C. Evans | | | | |
Name: Gary C. Evans Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| MHR ACQUISITION COMPANY III, LLC | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: President (principal executive officer) | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of MHR Acquisition Company III, LLC.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | President | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Vice President and Treasurer | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation | | Sole Managing Member | | June 14, 2011 |
By: /s/ Gary C. Evans | | | | |
Name: Gary C. Evans Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| NGAS PRODUCTION CO. | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Gary C. Evans | |
| | Name: Gary C. Evans | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual or entity whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or manager of NGAS Production Co.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | Chief Executive Officer and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Chief Financial Officer and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on this 14th day of June, 2011.
| WILLISTON HUNTER, INC. | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ R. Glenn Dawson | |
| | Name: R. Glenn Dawson | |
| | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Gary C. Evans and Ronald D. Ormand, severally, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the date indicated below. Each person listed below has signed this Registration Statement as an officer and/or director of Williston Hunter, Inc.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ R. Glenn Dawson | | President and Chief Executive Officer | | June 14, 2011 |
R. Glenn Dawson | | (principal executive officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Ronald D. Ormand | | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Ronald D. Ormand | | (principal financial and accounting officer) | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Gary C. Evans | | Chairman of the Board and Director | | June 14, 2011 |
Gary C. Evans | | | | |
| | Exhibit Title |
| | |
1.1* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Debt Securities) |
| | |
1.2* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Common Stock) |
| | |
1.3* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Preferred Stock) |
| | |
1.4* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Depositary Shares) |
| | |
1.5* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement (for Warrants) |
| | |
2.1 | | Arrangement Agreement, dated as of January 19, 2011, by and among Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation, MHR Exchangeco Corporation and NuLoch Resources Inc. (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2011) |
| | |
2.2 | | Plan of Arrangement under Section 193 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) with respect to the Acquisition of NuLoch Resources Inc. by Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 8, 2011) |
| | |
2.3 | | Arrangement Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2010, by and between Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation and NGAS Resources, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 30, 2010) |
| | |
4.1 | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed February 13, 2002 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on March 21, 2006) |
| | |
4.2 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed May 8, 2003 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on March 21, 2006) |
| | |
4.3 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed June 6, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on March 21, 2006) |
| | |
4.4 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed July 18, 2007 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 14, 2007) |
| | |
4.5 | | Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation with and into Petro Resources Corporation, filed July 13, 2009 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2009) |
| | |
4.6 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed November 3, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2010) |
| | |
4.7 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed May 9, 2011 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2011) |
| | |
4.8 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant dated March 15, 2001 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on March 21, 2006) |
| | |
4.9 | | Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant dated April 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on June 9, 2006) |
| | |
4.10 | | Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant dated October 12, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Petro Resources Corporation’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 21, 2007) |
4.11 | | Amendment to Bylaws of the Registrant dated May 26, 2011 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2011) |
| | |
4.12 | | Certificate of Elimination of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock dated June 22, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2010) |
| | |
4.13 | | Certificate of Elimination of Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock dated June 22, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2010) |
| | |
4.14 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of 10.25% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2009) |
| | |
4.15 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of 10.25% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock dated August 2, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2010) |
| | |
4.16 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of 10.25% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock dated September 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2010) |
| | |
4.17 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of 8.0% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, filed March 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2011) |
| | |
4.18 | | Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Special Voting Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2011) |
| | |
4.19** | | Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities |
| | |
4.20** | | Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.19) |
| | |
4.21** | | Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities |
| | |
4.22** | | Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.21) |
| | |
4.23* | | Form of Subsidiary Guarantee of Debt Securities |
| | |
4.24* | | Certificate of Designation for Preferred Stock |
| | |
4.25* | | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate |
| | |
4.26* | | Form of Deposit Agreement relating to the Depositary Shares (including form of depositary receipt) |
| | |
4.27* | | Form of Warrant Agreement |
| | |
4.28* | | Form of Warrant Certificate |
| | |
4.29 | | Form of Certificate of Common Stock (incorporated by reference from Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 18, 2011) |
| | |
5.1** | | Opinion of Paul M. Johnston, Esquire, as to the legality of the securities being registered |
| | |
12.1** | | Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
| | |
21.1** | | List of Subsidiaries |
| | |
23.1** | | Consent of Hein & Associates LLP, independent registered public accounting firm |
| | |
23.2** | | Consent of MaloneBailey, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm |
| | |
23.3** | | Consent of Hall, Kistler & Company LLP, independent registered public accounting firm |
23.4** | | Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm |
| | |
23.5** | | Consent of UHY LLP, independent registered public accounting firm |
| | |
23.6** | | Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum consultants |
| | |
23.7** | | Consent of Wright & Company, Inc., independent petroleum consultants |
| | |
23.8** | | Consent of AJM Petroleum Consultants, independent petroleum consultants |
| | |
23.9** | | Consent of Paul M. Johnston (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
| | |
24.1** | | Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages of the Initial Registration Statement) |
| | |
25.1* | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 |
| | |
25.2* | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 |
* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K.
** Filed herewith.