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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2012
Registration No. 333-179470
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CHESAPEAKE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
CHKM FINANCE CORP.*
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware Delaware | 4922 | 80-0534394 45-1502258 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
900 N.W. 63rd Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118 (405) 935-1500 | J. Mike Stice 900 N.W. 63rd Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118 (405) 935-1500 | |
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices) | (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) |
Copy to:
Michael S. Telle
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
711 Louisiana Street, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002-2770
(713) 221-1327
(713) 221-2113 (fax)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. ¨
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. ¨
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:
Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) ¨
Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) ¨
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants 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 this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT GUARANTORS
The following are additional registrants that may guarantee the notes registered hereby:
Exact Name of Registrant Guarantor As Specified in its Charter(1) | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization | I.R.S. Employer Identification Number | ||
Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. | Delaware | 27-0870752 | ||
Bluestem Gas Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 20-0174765 | ||
Chesapeake Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 26-2096775 | ||
Oklahoma Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 26-2572816 | ||
Texas Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 20-5093006 | ||
Magnolia Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 27-3973921 | ||
Ponder Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | Delaware | 27-0895708 | ||
Appalachia Midstream Services, L.L.C. | Oklahoma | 26-3678972 |
(1) | The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of each of the additional registrant guarantor’s principal executive offices is c/o Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, (405) 935-1500. The primary standard industrial classification code number of each of the additional registrant guarantors is 4922. The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the agent for service for each of the additional registrant guarantors is J. Mike Stice, Chief Executive Officer, Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, (405) 935-1500. |
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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 is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 6, 2012
Prospectus
Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.
CHKM Finance Corp.
Offers to Exchange
up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021 registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of our outstanding
5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, and
up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of new 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of our outstanding 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022
We are offering to exchange, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, our new 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, which we refer to as the new 2021 notes, for all of our outstanding old 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, which we refer to as the old 2021 notes, and our new 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022, which we refer to as the new 2022 notes, for all of our outstanding old 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022, which we refer to as the old 2022 notes. We refer to the old 2021 notes and the old 2022 notes together as the old notes, and the new 2021 notes and the new 2022 notes together as the new notes.
Material Terms of the Exchange Offers
• | The exchange offers will expire at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on , 2012, unless extended. |
• | You will receive an equal principal amount of new 2021 notes for all old 2021 notes and an equal principal amount of new 2022 notes for all old 2022 notes, in each case that you validly tender and do not validly withdraw. |
• | The form and terms of the new 2021 notes and the new 2022 notes will be identical in all material respects to the old 2021 notes and old 2022 notes, respectively, that we issued on April 19, 2011 and January 11, 2012, respectively, except the new notes will not contain restrictions on transfer, will bear different CUSIP numbers and will not entitle their holders to certain registration rights relating to the old notes. |
• | The exchange should not be a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax purposes. |
• | There is no existing public market for the old notes, and there is currently no public market for the new notes to be issued to you in the exchange offers. We do not intend to list the new notes on any securities exchange. |
• | If you fail to tender your old notes for the new notes, you will continue to hold unregistered securities and it may be difficult for you to transfer them. |
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed to make this prospectus available for a period of 180 days from the expiration date of the exchange offers to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Investing in the new notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 12, for a discussion of certain factors that you should consider before deciding to exchange old notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange offers.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2012
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to in this prospectus as the SEC. You should read this prospectus together with the registration statement, the exhibits thereto and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” In making your decision to participate in the exchange offers, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. If you received any unauthorized information, you must not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this document. This information is available to you without charge upon written or oral request to: 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, (405) 935-6224. The exchange offers are expected to expire on , 2012 and you must make your exchange decision by the expiration date. To obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than , 2012, or the date which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offers.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC (File No. 001-34831). Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website athttp://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room and its copy charges.
We “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until the termination of the exchange offers:
• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012; |
• | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 4, 2012, January 6, 2012, January 11, 2012, January 31, 2012, February 1, 2012 and February 7, 2012 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K); and |
• | Our Current Report on Form 8-K/A as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012. |
We are also incorporating by reference all additional documents we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date hereof and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
You may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibit specifically incorporated by reference in those documents, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:
Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.
900 N.W. 63rd Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
Attention: David C. Shiels
Telephone: (405) 935-6224
We also make available free of charge on our website atwww.chkm.com our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this prospectus.
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This summary highlights selected information about Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., the exchange offers and the new notes. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the exchange offers fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the new notes, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, the accompanying letter of transmittal and the documents incorporated herein by reference, especially the risks of investing in the new notes discussed under “Risk Factors.”
In this prospectus, other than in “Description of 2021 New Notes” and “Description of New 2022 Notes” and unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to the “Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, when used in a historical context, refer to the results of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.L.C. from its inception on September 30, 2009, through the closing date of our initial public offering (“IPO”) on August 3, 2010, and to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: CHKM) and its subsidiaries thereafter. Our “predecessor” refers to Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P., which held substantially all of our assets as well as other midstream assets prior to September 30, 2009. Our “general partner” refers to Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C. “Chesapeake” refers to Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) and “GIP” refers to Global Infrastructure Partners-A, L.P., and affiliated funds managed by Global Infrastructure Management, LLC, and certain of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. “Chesapeake Midstream Ventures” refers to Chesapeake Midstream Ventures, L.L.C., the sole member of our general partner. “Total,” when discussing the upstream joint venture with Chesapeake, refers to Total E&P USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A. (NYSE:TOT, FP:FP), and when discussing our gas gathering agreement to which it is a party and related matters, refers to Total E&P USA, Inc. and Total Gas & Power North America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Total S.A.
Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.
We are a growth-oriented publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed by Chesapeake and GIP to own, operate, develop and acquire natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil gathering systems and other midstream energy assets. We are principally focused on natural gas gathering, the first segment of midstream energy infrastructure that connects natural gas produced at the wellhead to third-party takeaway pipelines.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Appalachia Midstream Services, L.L.C.On December 29, 2011, we acquired from Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P. (“CMD”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake, and certain of its affiliates all of the issued and outstanding common units of Appalachia Midstream Services, L.L.C. (“Appalachia Midstream”) for total consideration, which is subject to a customary post-closing working capital adjustment, of $879 million, consisting of 9,791,605 common units and $600 million in cash that was financed with a draw on our revolving credit facility. Through the acquisition of Appalachia Midstream, we operate 100% of and own an approximate average 47% interest in an integrated system of gas gathering assets that consist of approximately 200 miles of gas gathering pipeline in the Marcellus Shale. The remaining 53% interest in these assets is owned primarily by Statoil ASA, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Epsilon Energy Ltd. and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. Gross throughput for these assets at the date of the acquisition was approximately 1.0 billion cubic feet per day (“bcf/d”) (approximately 470 million cubic feet per day net to us). Appalachia Midstream operates the assets under 15-year fixed fee gathering agreements. The gathering agreements include significant acreage dedications and annual fee redeterminations. In addition, CMD has committed to pay us quarterly any shortfall between the actual EBITDA from these assets and specified quarterly targets, which targets add up to a total of $100 million in 2012 and $150 million in 2013. The terms of the transaction were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of our general partner and by the Board’s Conflicts Committee, which consists entirely of independent directors.
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Amendment to Credit Agreement and Increase in Commitments. In December 2011, we exercised the accordion option feature under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to increase the total revolving commitments from $800 million to $1 billion. Additionally, we amended our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to, among other things, permit us to make certain investments in Joint Ventures (as defined in the amendment), which Joint Ventures, unless otherwise agreed to by us, will not be subject to the provisions of the revolving credit facility and will not be required to become guarantors under the revolving credit facility. The amendment also provides that we may from time to time request increases in the total revolving commitments under the credit facility up to $1.25 billion.
Fourth Quarter 2011 Distribution. On January 26, 2012, the Board of Directors of our general partner declared a cash distribution for the 2011 fourth quarter of $0.39 per unit, or $58.9 million in aggregate. This distribution represents an increase of $0.015 per unit, or 4.0%, compared to the third quarter of 2011 and an increase of $0.0525 per unit, or 15.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The cash distribution will be payable on February 14, 2012 to unitholders of record at the close of business on February 7, 2012.
Principal Executive Offices and Internet Address
Our principal executive offices are located at 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, and our telephone number at that location is (405) 935-1500. Our website address iswww.chkm.com. We make available our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, free of charge through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference herein and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
Partnership Structure
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by Chesapeake and GIP to own, operate, develop and acquire midstream energy assets. Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CHKM.” The table below and the diagram on the following page illustrates our organization and ownership as of February 29, 2012.
Public Common Units | 29.9 | % | ||
Chesapeake Common Units | 22.3 | % | ||
Chesapeake Subordinated Units | 22.9 | % | ||
GIP Subordinated Units | 22.9 | % | ||
General Partner Interest | 2.0 | % | ||
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Total | 100.0 | % | ||
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Summary of the Exchange Offers
The summary below describes the principal terms and conditions of the exchange offers. Some of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. See “The Exchange Offers” for a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the exchange offers and “Description of New 2021 Notes” and “Description of New 2022 Notes” for a more detailed description of the terms of the new notes.
The Exchange Offers | The exchange offers relate to the exchange of: |
• | up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, for an equal aggregate principal amount of new 2021 notes; and |
• | up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022, for an equal aggregate principal amount of new 2022 notes. |
We will exchange all outstanding old notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. However, you may only exchange old notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
The form and terms of the new notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the corresponding outstanding old notes, except that the new notes will not contain restrictions on transfer, will bear different CUSIP numbers and will not entitle their holders to certain registration rights relating to the old notes. |
Expiration Date | The exchange offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2012, unless we extend an exchange offer. In that case, the phrase “expiration date” will mean the latest date and time to which we extend an exchange offer. We will issue new notes on the expiration date or promptly after that date. |
Conditions to the Exchange Offers | The exchange offers are subject to customary conditions which include, among other things, the absence of any applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC which, in our reasonable judgment, would materially impair our ability to proceed with an exchange offer. The exchange offers are not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of old notes being submitted for exchange. See “The Exchange Offers—Conditions.” |
Procedures for Participating in the Exchange Offers | If you wish to participate in the exchange offers, you must complete, sign and date an original or faxed letter of transmittal in accordance with the instructions contained in the letter of transmittal accompanying this prospectus or, for old notes tendered electronically, an agent’s message from The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, stating that the tendering participant agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and the terms of the exchange offers. Then you must mail, fax or deliver the completed letter of transmittal, together with the old notes you wish to exchange and any |
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other required documentation to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, which is acting as exchange agent, for receipt prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. By signing the letter of transmittal, you will represent to and agree with us that, |
• | you are acquiring the new notes in the ordinary course of your business; |
• | you are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement or understanding with anyone to participate in a distribution of the new notes; and |
• | you are not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp. or a broker-dealer tendering the old notes acquired directly from us for its own account. |
If you are a broker-dealer who will receive new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that you acquired as a result of your market-making or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge in the letter of transmittal that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. |
Resale of New Notes | Based on interpretations of the SEC staff in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that you may resell and transfer the new notes issued pursuant to the exchange offers in exchange for old notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act if: |
• | you are acquiring the new notes in the ordinary course of your business; |
• | you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes within the meaning of the Securities Act; |
• | you are not an affiliate of ours, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and |
• | you are not a broker-dealer and you are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in the distribution of the new notes. |
If you fail to satisfy any of these conditions, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with resales of the new notes, unless an exemption therefrom is applicable to you. |
Broker-dealers that acquired the old notes directly from us, but not as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with resales of the new notes. |
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Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers in exchange for old notes that it acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities must deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes and provide us with a signed acknowledgement of this obligation. |
Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners | If your old notes are held through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to surrender such old notes, you should contact your intermediary promptly and instruct it to surrender your old notes on your behalf. |
If you wish to tender on your own behalf, you must, before completing and executing the letter of transmittal for the exchange offers and delivering your old notes, either arrange to have your old notes registered in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take a long time. |
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures | If you wish to tender your old notes and you cannot do so before the expiration date deadline, or you cannot deliver your old notes, the letter of transmittal or any other documentation on time, then you must surrender your old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures appearing below under “The Exchange Offers—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.” |
Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes | We will accept for exchange any and all old notes that are properly tendered in the exchange offers and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date, if you comply with the procedures of the exchange offers. The new notes will be delivered promptly after the expiration date. |
Withdrawal Rights | You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, by complying with the procedures for withdrawal described in “The Exchange Offers—Withdrawal of Tenders.” |
Accounting Treatment | We will not recognize a gain or loss for accounting purposes as a result of the exchange. |
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations | The exchange of old notes for new notes should not be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. You should not have to pay federal income tax as a result of your participation in the exchange offers. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” |
Exchange Agent | The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is serving as the exchange agent in connection with the exchange offers. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. also serves as trustee |
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under the indentures governing the notes. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are listed under the heading “The Exchange Offers—Exchange Agent.” |
Failure to Exchange Old Notes
Will Adversely Affect You | If you are eligible to participate in the exchange offers and you do not tender your old notes as described in this prospectus, you will not have any further registration or exchange rights. In that event, your old notes will continue to accrue interest until maturity in accordance with the terms of the old notes but will continue to be subject to restrictions on transfer. As a result of such restrictions and the availability of registered new notes, your old notes are likely to be a much less liquid security than before. |
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The New Notes
The new notes have the same financial terms and covenants as the old notes. In this prospectus we sometimes refer to the old notes and the new notes together as the “notes.” The new notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding old notes which they replace. The old notes are, and the new notes will be, governed by the same indentures governing the old 2021 notes and old 2022 notes. The brief summary below describes the principal terms of the new notes. Some of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. The “Description of New 2021 Notes” and “Description of New 2022 Notes” sections of this prospectus contains a more detailed description of the terms and conditions of the new notes.
The Issuers | Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. and CHKM Finance Corp. |
CHKM Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. that has been organized for the sole purpose of being a co-issuer or guarantor of certain of our indebtedness, including the notes. CHKM Finance Corp. has no operations and no revenue other than as may be incidental to its activities as co-issuer of our indebtedness. |
Notes Offered | $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of new 2021 notes. |
$750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of new 2022 notes. |
Maturity Date | April 15, 2021 for the new 2021 notes. |
July 15, 2022 for the new 2022 notes. |
Interest Rate | 5.875% per annum for the new 2021 notes. |
6.125% per annum for the new 2022 notes. |
Interest Payment Dates | April 15 and October 15 of each year, with the next interest payment date being April 15, 2012, for the new 2021 notes. |
January 15 and July 15 of each year, with the next interest payment date being July 15, 2012, for the new 2022 notes. |
Ranking | The new notes will be our general unsecured obligations. The new notes will: |
• | rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior indebtedness; |
• | be effectively junior to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and |
• | rank senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated indebtedness. |
Subsidiary Guarantees | The new notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed by all of our current wholly owned subsidiaries (other than the co-issuer) and by certain of our future subsidiaries, which we refer to as our “subsidiary guarantors,” subject to the release provisions contained in the indentures. The subsidiary guarantees will: |
• | rank equally in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors, including their guarantees of our other senior indebtedness; |
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• | be effectively junior to all existing and future secured indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and |
• | rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors. |
Optional Redemption | We will have the option to redeem the 2021 notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2015, at the redemption prices described in this prospectus under the heading “Description of New 2021 Notes—Optional Redemption,” together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. |
In addition, before April 15, 2014, we may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 notes with the net proceeds of a public or private equity offering at 105.875% of the principal amount of the 2021 notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 notes issued under the indenture remains outstanding after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering. |
Prior to April 15, 2015, we may redeem the 2021 notes, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price described under “Description of New 2021 Notes—Optional Redemption,” together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. |
We will have the option to redeem the 2022 notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2017, at the redemption prices described in this prospectus under the heading “Description of New 2022 Notes—Optional Redemption,” together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. |
In addition, before January 15, 2015, we may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 notes in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of one or more completed equity offerings at 106.125% of the principal amount of the 2022 notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 notes issued under the indenture remains outstanding after such redemption and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering. |
Prior to January 15, 2017, we may redeem the 2022 notes, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price described under “Description of New 2022 Notes—Optional Redemption,” together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. |
Change of Control | If a change of control event occurs, each holder of new notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of its notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the new notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. |
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Certain Covenants | The old notes were, and the new notes will be, issued under indentures between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The indentures contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: |
• | sell assets including equity interests in our subsidiaries; |
• | pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase our units or redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt; |
• | make investments; |
• | incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; |
• | create or incur certain liens; |
• | enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us; |
• | consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; |
• | engage in transactions with affiliates; and |
• | create unrestricted subsidiaries. |
These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications that are described under the headings “Description of New 2021 Notes” and “Description of New 2022 Notes” in this prospectus. |
If the notes achieve an investment grade rating in the future, many of these covenants will be terminated. |
For more details, see “Description of New 2021 Notes—Certain Covenants” and “Description of New 2022 Notes—Certain Covenants.” |
Use of Proceeds | We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. |
Global Notes | Each series of new notes will be evidenced by one or more global notes deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC. The global notes will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as DTC’s nominee. |
Risk Factors | Before investing in the new notes, you should carefully consider all of the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the discussion in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 12, for an explanation of certain risks relating to our business and an investment in the new notes. |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated on a consolidated historical basis. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consists of pre-tax income from continuing operations before income from equity investees plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest), distributed income of equity investees and amortization of capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” represents interest incurred (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of debt expense (including discounts and premiums relating to indebtedness) and the portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.
Predecessor(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2011 | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Period from October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 | Period from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 5.2x | 8.2x | 9.4x | — | (2) | 6.5x | 10.5x |
(1) | Represents data from our predecessor, Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P. before the formation of the joint venture between Chesapeake and GIP on September 30, 2009. For further discussion, please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. |
(2) | During the period noted, our coverage ratio was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of approximately $14.8 million during the period from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1. |
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An investment in the new notes involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding to exchange your old notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange offers. While these are the risks and uncertainties we believe are most important for you to consider, you should know that they are not the only risks or uncertainties facing us or which may adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks or uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer.
Risk Factors Related to Our Business
We are dependent on Chesapeake for a substantial majority of our revenues. Therefore, we are indirectly subject to the business risks of Chesapeake. We have no control over Chesapeake’s business decisions and operations, and Chesapeake is under no obligation to adopt a business strategy that favors us.
Historically, we have provided substantially all of our natural gas gathering, treating and compression services to Chesapeake and its working interest partners. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Chesapeake and its working interest partners accounted for approximately 84 percent of the natural gas volumes on our gathering systems and 83 percent of our revenues. We expect to derive a substantial majority of our revenues from Chesapeake for the foreseeable future. Therefore, any event, whether in our area of operations or otherwise, that adversely affects Chesapeake’s production, financial condition, leverage, results of operations or cash flows may adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations. Accordingly, we are indirectly subject to the business risks of Chesapeake, some of which are the following:
• | the volatility of natural gas and oil prices, which could have a negative effect on the value of its oil and natural gas properties, its drilling programs or its ability to finance its operations; |
• | the availability of capital on an economic basis to fund its exploration and development activities; |
• | its ability to replace reserves, sustain production and begin production on certain leases that may otherwise expire; |
• | uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of natural gas and oil reserves and projecting future rates of production; |
• | its drilling and operating risks, including potential environmental liabilities; |
• | transportation capacity constraints and interruptions; |
• | adverse effects of governmental and environmental regulation; and |
• | losses from pending or future litigation. |
If Chesapeake, Total or other third-party producers do not increase the volumes of natural gas they provide to our gathering systems, our growth strategy and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations may be adversely affected. Chesapeake has recently announced plans to reduce drilling in certain of our areas of operation.
Our ability to increase the throughput on our gathering systems will be substantially dependent on receiving increased volumes from Chesapeake, Total and other third-party producers. Other than the scheduled increases in the minimum volume commitments provided for in our gas gathering agreements with Chesapeake and Total, our customers are not obligated to provide additional volumes to our systems, and they may determine in the future that drilling activities in areas outside of our current areas of operation are strategically more attractive to them. For example, Chesapeake previously announced its intention to increase operations in liquids-rich areas and, more recently, in response to historically low natural gas prices, Chesapeake announced that it is reducing dry gas drilling, completions, production and leasehold expenditures wherever feasible, including by operating fewer drilling rigs in the Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale and Marcellus Shale regions. A reduction in the natural gas
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volumes supplied by Chesapeake, Total or other third-party producers could result in reduced throughput on our systems and adversely impact our ability to grow our operations and make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Chesapeake’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to grow our business, make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations and our credit ratings and profile.
Chesapeake must devote a portion of its cash flows from operating activities to service its indebtedness, and such cash flows are therefore not available for further development activities, which may reduce the volumes Chesapeake delivers to our gathering systems. Furthermore, a higher level of indebtedness at Chesapeake increases the risk that it may default on its obligations, including under its gas gathering agreements with us. Such a default could occur after the conversion of the subordinated units as a result of our general partner’s ability, for purposes of testing whether the subordination period has ended, to include as “earned” in a particular quarter its prorated estimates of shortfall payments to be earned by the end of the then current calendar year under the minimum volume commitments contained in certain of our gas gathering agreements. As of December 31, 2011, Chesapeake had long-term indebtedness of approximately $10.6 billion, with $1.7 billion of outstanding borrowings drawn under its $4.0 billion revolving credit facility and $29 million of outstanding borrowings drawn under its $600 million midstream revolving credit facility. The covenants contained in the agreements governing Chesapeake’s outstanding and future indebtedness may limit its ability to borrow additional funds for development and make certain investments, which also may reduce the volumes Chesapeake delivers to our gathering systems.
Chesapeake’s debt ratings for its senior notes are currently below investment grade. If these ratings are lowered in the future, the interest rate and fees Chesapeake pays on its revolving credit facilities will increase. Credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s will likely consider Chesapeake’s debt ratings when reviewing ours because of Chesapeake’s ownership interest in us, the significant commercial relationships between Chesapeake and us, and our reliance on Chesapeake for a substantial majority of our revenues. If one or more credit rating agencies were to downgrade the outstanding indebtedness of Chesapeake, we could experience an increase in our borrowing costs or difficulty accessing the capital markets. Such a development could adversely affect our ability to grow our business and make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Our general partner may guarantee or pledge any or all of its assets (other than its general partner interest, except as permitted by the partnership agreement) to secure the indebtedness of any of its affiliates. If our general partner were required to honor its guarantee or if lenders foreclosed on our general partner’s assets, the ability of our general partner to manage our business might be adversely affected. If our general partner were unable to meet any obligations to such lenders, it might be required to file for bankruptcy, which would cause our dissolution under our partnership agreement and which might have other adverse effects.
In addition to Chesapeake, we are dependent on Total and other third-party producers for a significant amount of the natural gas that we gather, treat and compress. A material reduction in Total’s or one or more other third-party producers’ production gathered, treated or compressed by us may result in a material decline in our revenues and our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
We rely on Total and other third-party producers such as Statoil ASA, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Epsilon Energy Ltd., Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Chief Oil & Gas for a significant amount of the natural gas that we gather, treat and compress. These customers may suffer a decrease in production volumes in the areas serviced by us. We are also subject to the risk that one or more of these customers may default on its obligations under its gas gathering agreement with us. Not all of our counterparties under our gas gathering agreements are rated by credit rating agencies. Accordingly, this risk may be more difficult to evaluate than it would be with a rated contract counterparty. A loss of a significant portion of the natural gas volumes supplied by Total or one or more other third-party producers, or any nonpayment or late payment by Total or one more other third-party producers of our fees, could result in a material decline in our revenues and our cash available for payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
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Because of the natural decline in production from existing wells in our areas of operation, our success depends on our ability to obtain new sources of natural gas, which is dependent on factors beyond our control. Any decrease in the volumes of natural gas that we gather could adversely affect our business and operating results.
The volumes that support our business are dependent on the level of production from natural gas wells connected to our gathering systems, the production from which may be less than we expect and will naturally decline over time. As a result, our cash flows associated with these wells will also decline over time. In order to maintain or increase throughput levels on our gathering systems, we must obtain new sources of natural gas. The primary factors affecting our ability to obtain non-dedicated sources of natural gas include (i) the level of successful drilling activity near our systems and (ii) our ability to compete for volumes from successful new wells.
We have no control over the level of drilling activity in our areas of operation, the amount of reserves associated with wells connected to our gathering systems or the rate at which production from a well declines. In addition, we have no control over Chesapeake, Total or other third-party producers and their drilling or production decisions, which are affected by, among other things, the availability and cost of capital, prevailing and projected energy prices, demand for hydrocarbons, relative pricing of oil and natural gas, levels of reserves, geological considerations, environmental or other governmental regulations, the availability of drilling permits, the availability of drilling rigs, and other production and development costs.
Fluctuations in energy prices can also greatly affect the development of new natural gas reserves. In general terms, the prices of natural gas, oil and other hydrocarbon products fluctuate in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. These factors include worldwide economic conditions; worldwide political conditions, such as the recent instability in Africa and the Middle East; weather conditions and seasonal trends; the levels of domestic production and consumer demand; the availability of imported liquified natural gas (“LNG”); the availability of transportation systems with adequate capacity; the volatility and uncertainty of regional pricing differentials such as in the Mid-Continent region; the price and availability of alternative fuels; the effect of energy conservation measures; the nature and extent of governmental regulation and taxation; and the anticipated future prices of natural gas, LNG and other commodities. Declines in natural gas prices could have a negative impact on exploration, development and production activity and, if sustained, could lead to a material decrease in such activity. Sustained reductions in exploration or production activity in our areas of operation would lead to reduced utilization of our gathering and treating assets. Because of these factors, even if new natural gas reserves are known to exist in areas served by our assets, producers may choose not to develop those reserves. If reductions in drilling activity result in our inability to maintain levels of throughput, it could reduce our revenue and impair our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
In addition, it may be more difficult to maintain or increase the current volumes on our gathering systems in unconventional resource plays, as the basins in those plays generally have higher initial production rates and steeper production decline curves than wells in more conventional basins. Accordingly, volumes on our systems serving unconventional resource plays may need to be replaced at a faster rate to maintain or grow the current volumes than may be the case in other regions of production. In addition to significant capital expenditures to support growth, the steeper production decline curves associated with unconventional resource plays may require us to estimate higher maintenance capital expenditures over time, which will reduce our cash available for distribution from operating surplus.
If one of our gas gathering agreements were to be terminated by a customer as a result of our failure to perform certain obligations under the agreement, and we were unable to secure comparable alternative arrangements, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations would be adversely affected.
Our gas gathering agreements are terminable if we fail to perform any of our material obligations and fail to correct such non-performance within specified periods, although under certain of our gas gathering agreements if
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our failure to perform relates to only one or more facilities or gathering systems, such agreement is terminable only as to such facilities or systems. Additionally, if a gas gathering agreement is terminated as to only a particular Barnett Shale gathering system, the minimum volume commitment may be reduced for gas volumes that would have been gathered on the terminated gathering system. After the termination of a gas gathering agreement, a customer might not continue to contract with us to provide gathering services, the terms of any renegotiated agreements may not be as favorable as our existing agreements, and we may not be able to enter into comparable alternative arrangements with third parties. To the extent a customer terminates a gas gathering agreement or there is a reduction in our minimum volume commitments, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations may be adversely affected.
Certain of the provisions contained in our gas gathering agreements may not operate as intended, including the volumetric-based cap associated with fuel, lost and unaccounted for gas, which could subject us to direct commodity price risk and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Our gas gathering agreements contain provisions relating to, among other items, periodic fee redeterminations, changes in laws affecting our operations and fuel, lost and unaccounted for gas. These and other provisions of our gas gathering agreements might not operate as intended.
The fee redetermination and other provisions of our gas gathering agreements are intended to support the stability of our cash flows and were designed with the goal of supporting a return on our invested capital, which is not equivalent to ensuring that our business will generate a particular amount of cash flow. Our fee redetermination provisions do not take into consideration all expenses and other variables, including certain operating expenditures, that would affect our return on invested capital. In addition, our gathering rates may be adjusted upward or downward following a fee redetermination, subject to specified caps in certain cases. The change in law provisions contained in our gas gathering agreements are designed to provide for our reimbursement by Chesapeake, Total and other third-party producers of certain taxes, fees, assessments and other charges that we may incur as a result of changes in law. These change in law provisions may not cover all legal or regulatory changes that could have an adverse economic impact on our operations. We have also agreed with our customers on caps on fuel and lost and unaccounted for gas on certain of our systems. If we exceed a permitted cap in any covered period, we may incur significant expenses to replace the natural gas used as fuel, lost or unaccounted for in excess of such cap based on then current natural gas prices. Accordingly, this replacement obligation will subject us to direct commodity price risk.
If these or other provisions of our gas gathering agreements do not operate as intended, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations could be adversely affected.
We do not obtain independent evaluations of natural gas reserves connected to our gathering systems; therefore, in the future, volumes of natural gas on our systems could be less than we currently anticipate.
We do not obtain independent evaluations of natural gas reserves connected to our systems. Accordingly, we do not have independent estimates of total reserves dedicated to our systems or the anticipated life of such reserves. Notwithstanding the contractual protections in certain of our gas gathering agreements, including minimum volume commitments in our Barnett Shale region (with respect to Chesapeake and Total), and Haynesville Shale region (with respect to Chesapeake), and fee redetermination provisions, if the total reserves or estimated life of the reserves connected to our gathering systems are less than we anticipate and we are unable to secure additional sources of natural gas, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
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We are generally required to make capital expenditures under our gas gathering agreements. If we are unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms to fund required capital expenditures or capital expenditures to otherwise expand our asset base, our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase.
Under our gas gathering agreements, upon the request of any of our customers, we are generally required to connect new operated drilling pads and new operated wells in our Barnett Shale and Haynesville Shale regions during the respective minimum volume commitment periods, and with respect to our Mid-Continent region prior to June 30, 2019, to use commercially reasonable efforts to do the same. In the Marcellus Shale region, we generally have the option to connect new operated drill pads and new operated wells, but we may be required to connect by the customer under certain circumstances. In addition, in order to increase our overall asset base, we will need to make significant expansion capital expenditures in the future. If we do not make sufficient or effective expansion capital expenditures, including such new drilling pad and new well connections, we will be unable to expand our business operations and will be unable to raise the level of our future cash distributions. If we are delayed in making a connection to an operated drilling pad or well, Chesapeake or Total in the Barnett Shale acreage dedication or Chesapeake in the Haynesville Shale acreage dedication, as its sole remedy for such delayed connection, would be entitled to a delay in the minimum volume obligation for gas volumes that would have been produced from the delayed connections. Any delay in the minimum volume obligations for drilling pad or well connections could reduce our revenues under the gas gathering agreements and our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
To the extent that our cash from operations is insufficient to fund our expansion capital expenditures, we may be required to incur borrowings or raise capital through public or private debt or equity offerings. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering and by the covenants in our existing debt agreements, as well as by general economic and capital market conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Even if we are successful in obtaining the necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional common units may result in significant unitholder dilution and increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain the then-current distribution rate, which could materially decrease our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
We conduct certain operations through joint ventures that may limit our operational flexibility.
Our operations in the Marcellus Shale region are conducted through joint venture arrangements, and we may enter additional joint ventures in the future. In a joint venture arrangement, we have less operational flexibility, as actions must be taken in accordance with the applicable governing provisions of the joint venture. In certain cases:
• | we have limited ability to influence or control certain day to day activities affecting the operations; |
• | we cannot control the amount of capital expenditures that we are required to fund with respect to these operations; |
• | we are dependent on third parties to fund their required share of capital expenditures; |
• | we may be subject to restrictions or limitations on our ability to sell or transfer our interests in the jointly owned assets; and |
• | we may be forced to offer rights of participation to other joint venture participants in the area of mutual interest. |
In addition, our joint venture participants may have obligations that are important to the success of the joint venture, such as the obligation to pay substantial carried costs pertaining to the joint venture and to pay their share of capital and other costs of the joint venture. The performance and ability of the third parties to satisfy
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their obligations under joint venture arrangements is outside our control. If these parties do not satisfy their obligations under these arrangements, our business may be adversely affected. Our joint venture partners may be in a position to take actions contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives, and disputes between us and our joint venture partners may result in delays, litigation or operational impasses. The risks described above or the failure to continue our joint ventures or to resolve disagreements with our joint venture partners could adversely affect our ability to conduct our Marcellus Shale operations or any other business that is the subject of a joint venture, which could in turn negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our industry is highly competitive, and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect our ability to execute our growth strategy.
We compete with similar enterprises in our areas of operation other than with respect to natural gas production dedicated to us pursuant to our gas gathering agreements with Chesapeake, Total and other third-party producers. Our competitors may expand or construct gathering systems and associated infrastructure that would create additional competition for the services we provide to our customers. Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts with our customers at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flow could be adversely affected by the activities of our competitors and our customers. All of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Part of our growth strategy is to attract volumes to our systems from unaffiliated third parties over time. However, we have historically provided gathering and related services to unaffiliated third parties on only a limited basis, and we may not be able to attract any material third-party volumes to our systems. Our efforts to attract new unaffiliated customers may be adversely affected by our need to prioritize allocating capital expenditures towards connecting new operated drilling pads and new operated wells for Chesapeake, Total and other third-party producers as well as our desire to provide our services pursuant to fixed-fee contracts. Our potential customers may prefer to obtain services under other forms of contractual arrangements pursuant to which we would be required to assume some direct commodity price exposure. In addition, we will need to establish a reputation with our potential customer base for providing high quality service in order to successfully attract material volumes from unaffiliated third parties.
If third-party pipelines or other facilities interconnected to our gathering systems become partially or fully unavailable, or if the volumes we gather do not meet the natural gas quality requirements of such pipelines or facilities, our revenues and cash available to meet our debt obligations could be adversely affected.
Our natural gas gathering systems connect to other pipelines or facilities, the majority of which are owned by third parties. The continuing operation of such third-party pipelines or facilities is not within our control. These pipelines and other facilities may become unavailable because of testing, turnarounds, line repair, reduced operating pressure, lack of operating capacity, curtailments of receipt or deliveries due to insufficient capacity or for any other reason. If any of these pipelines or facilities become unable to transport natural gas, or if the volumes we gather or transport do not meet the natural gas quality requirements of such pipelines or facilities, our revenues and our ability to make payments on the notes and cash available to meet our other debt obligations could be adversely affected.
Our construction of new assets may not result in revenue increases and will be subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic risks, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
One of the ways we intend to grow our business is through the construction of new midstream assets. The construction of additions or modifications to our existing systems and the construction of new midstream assets involve numerous regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic uncertainties that are beyond our control. If we undertake these projects, they may not be completed on schedule, at the budgeted cost, or at all.
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Moreover, our revenues may not increase immediately upon the expenditure of funds on a particular project. For instance, if we expand one or more of our gathering systems, the construction may occur over an extended period of time, yet we will not receive any material increases in revenues until the project is completed. Moreover, we could construct facilities to capture anticipated future growth in production in a region in which such growth does not materialize. As a result, new facilities may not be able to attract enough throughput to achieve our expected investment return, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the construction of additions to our existing gathering assets may require us to obtain new rights-of-way. We may be unable to obtain such rights-of-way and may, therefore, be unable to connect new natural gas volumes to our systems or capitalize on other attractive expansion opportunities. Additionally, it may become more expensive for us to obtain new rights-of-way or to renew existing rights-of-way. If the cost of renewing or obtaining new rights-of-way increases, our cash flows could be adversely affected.
If we are unable to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms from Chesapeake or third parties, our future growth would be limited, and any acquisitions we make may reduce, rather than increase, our cash generated from operations on a per unit basis. We may fail to successfully integrate the Appalachia Midstream business with our existing business in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or fail to realize all of the expected benefits of the acquisition, which could negatively impact our future results of operations.
Our ability to grow depends, in part, on our ability to make acquisitions that increase our cash generated from operations on a per unit basis. The acquisition component of our strategy is based, in large part, on our expectation of ongoing divestitures of midstream energy assets by industry participants, including Chesapeake. A material decrease in such divestitures would limit our opportunities for future acquisitions and could adversely affect our ability to grow our operations and make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations. If we are unable to make such accretive acquisitions from Chesapeake or third parties, either because we are (i) unable to identify attractive acquisition candidates or negotiate acceptable purchase contracts, (ii) unable to obtain financing for these acquisitions on economically acceptable terms or (iii) outbid by competitors, then our future growth and ability to increase distributions will be limited. Furthermore, even if we complete acquisitions that we believe will be accretive, these acquisitions may nevertheless result in a decrease in the cash generated from operations on a per unit basis. If we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly.
Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:
• | mistaken assumptions about volumes, revenues and costs, including synergies; |
• | an inability to secure adequate customer commitments to use the acquired systems or facilities; |
• | an inability to successfully integrate the assets or businesses we acquire; |
• | the assumption of unknown liabilities; |
• | limitations on rights to indemnity from the seller; |
• | mistaken assumptions about the overall costs of equity or debt; |
• | the diversion of management’s and employees’ attention from other business concerns; |
• | operating a larger combined organization and adding operations; |
• | difficulties in the assimilation of the acquired assets and operations into the existing business; |
• | managing relationships with new customers and suppliers for whom we have not previously provided products or services; |
• | maintaining an effective system of internal controls related to the acquired business and integrating internal controls, compliance under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other regulatory compliance and corporate governance matters; |
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• | an increase in our indebtedness; |
• | potential environmental or regulatory compliance matters or liabilities and title issues, including certain liabilities arising from the operation of the acquired business before the acquisition; |
• | unforeseen difficulties operating in new geographic areas; and |
• | customer or key employee losses at the acquired businesses. |
Integration of the Appalachia Midstream business with our existing business will be a complex, time-consuming and costly process, particularly given that the acquisition will significantly increase our size, and diversify the geographic areas in which we operate and our customer base. A failure to successfully integrate the Appalachia Midstream business with our existing business in a timely manner may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, the Appalachia Midstream business may actually perform at levels below the forecasts we used to evaluate the Appalachia Midstream business, due to factors that are beyond our control. If the Appalachia Midstream business performs at levels below the forecasts we used to evaluate the acquisition, then our future results of operations and our financial condition could be negatively impacted. Although CMD has agreed to pay us the difference between quarterly EBITDA received from the Appalachia Midstream business and specified targeted EBITDA, CMD is not required to make such payments beyond 2013, which could result in a decline in our reported results of operations from the business after such time. In addition, if we fail to operate the Appalachia Midstream business assets to the satisfaction of our customers and the other owners of the assets, we may suffer reputational harm, which could make our planned expansions and acquisitions of new customers more difficult.
Our right of first offer with respect to certain of Chesapeake’s future midstream divestitures as well as development and acquisition opportunities adjacent to certain of our existing areas of operation is subject to risks and uncertainty, and thus may not enhance our ability to grow our business.
Subject to certain exceptions, our omnibus agreement provides us with a right of first offer on future Chesapeake midstream divestitures as well as development and acquisition opportunities adjacent to our existing areas of operation in the Barnett Shale and Mid-Continent region. The consummation and timing of any future transactions pursuant to the exercise of our right of first offer with respect to any particular business opportunity will depend upon, among other things, our ability to negotiate definitive agreements with respect to such opportunities and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms. We can offer no assurance that we will be able to successfully consummate future transactions pursuant to these rights. Additionally, Chesapeake is under no obligation to accept any offer made by us with respect to such opportunities. Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, we may decide not to exercise these rights when they become available, and our decision will not be subject to unitholder approval. In addition, first offer rights under the omnibus agreement may be terminated by Chesapeake at any time each of GIP and Chesapeake holds less than half of the ownership interest it currently holds in Chesapeake Midstream Ventures.
Our exposure to direct commodity price risk may increase in the future.
We currently generate substantially all of our revenues pursuant to fixed-fee contracts under which we are paid based on the volumes of natural gas that we gather and treat rather than the value of the underlying natural gas. Consequently, our existing operations and cash flows have limited exposure to direct commodity price risk. Although we intend to enter into similar fixed-fee contracts with new customers in the future, our efforts to obtain such contractual terms may not be successful. In addition, we may acquire or develop additional midstream assets in the future that have a greater exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices than our current operations. Future exposure to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities are located, which could result in disruptions to our operations.
We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities have been constructed, and we are, therefore, subject to the possibility of more onerous terms and/or increased costs to retain necessary land use if we do not have valid rights-of-way or if such rights-of-way lapse or terminate. We obtain the rights to construct and operate our pipelines on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies for a specific period of time. Our loss of these rights, through our inability to renew right-of-way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Our business involves many hazards and operational risks, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance. If a significant accident or event occurs for which we are not adequately insured, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected.
Our operations are subject to all of the risks and hazards inherent in the midstream energy business, including:
• | damage to pipelines and facilities, related equipment and surrounding properties caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, explosions and other natural disasters and acts of terrorism; |
• | inadvertent damage from construction, farm and utility equipment; |
• | leaks of natural gas and other hydrocarbons or losses of natural gas as a result of the malfunction of equipment or facilities; and |
• | other hazards. |
These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury and/or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage. These risks may also result in curtailment or suspension of our operations. A natural disaster or other hazard affecting the areas in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our operations. In addition, our Barnett Shale area in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metropolitan area poses unique challenges and risks associated with drilling for natural gas and the installation and operation of midstream infrastructure in urban and suburban communities. We are not fully insured against all risks inherent in our business. For example, we do not have any property insurance on any of our underground pipeline systems that would cover damage to the pipelines. Additionally, we do not have any business interruption/loss of income insurance that would provide coverage in the event of damage to any of our facilities. Although we are insured for environmental pollution resulting from environmental accidents that occur on a sudden and accidental basis, we may not be insured against all environmental accidents that might occur, some of which may result in toxic tort claims. If a significant accident or event occurs for which we are not adequately insured, it could adversely affect our operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain of our insurance policies may substantially increase. In some instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. Additionally, we may be unable to recover from prior owners of our assets for potential environmental liabilities pursuant to our indemnification rights.
We lease substantially all of our compression capacity from a single provider under a long-term fixed price agreement, which could result in disruptions to our operations or our paying above-market prices for our compression requirements in the future.
Compression of our customers’ natural gas is a key component of the services we provide and our largest operating expense. Given that wells produce at progressively lower field pressures as the underlying resources are depleted, field compression is required to maintain sufficient pressure across our gathering systems. We lease substantially all of the compression capacity for our existing gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale from
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MidCon Compression, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake, under a long-term contract expiring on January 31, 2021 pursuant to which we have agreed to pay specified monthly rates under a fixed-fee structure subject to an annual escalator. This agreement is not subject to an exclusivity provision. We lease substantially all of the compression capacity for our existing gathering systems outside the Marcellus Shale from MidCon Compression under a long-term contract expiring on September 30, 2019 pursuant to which we have agreed to pay specified monthly rates under a fixed-fee structure subject to an annual escalator and a redetermination of such specified monthly rates to market rates effective no later than October 1, 2016. Under this agreement, we have granted MidCon Compression the exclusive right to lease and rent compression equipment to us in our Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale and Mid-Continent acreage dedications through September 30, 2016. Thereafter, we have the right to continue leasing such equipment through September 30, 2019 at market rental rates to be agreed upon by the parties or to lease compression equipment from unaffiliated third parties. If market rates for compression are less than the specified monthly rates prior to redetermination under the agreement, then the rates we pay for compression under this contract may be higher than the rates we could obtain from a third party. In addition, if MidCon Compression were to default on its obligations under the terms of our agreement, we may not be able to replace such compression capacity in a timely manner or otherwise on terms consistent with our agreement with MidCon Compression or at all. This could result in our failure to meet our contractual obligations to our customers in these regions, which could expose us to damages, reduce revenues and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.
Restrictions in our revolving credit facility and indentures could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent upon the earnings and cash flow generated by our operations in order to meet our debt service obligations. The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our revolving credit facility, our indentures and any future financing agreements could restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to expand or pursue our business activities, which may, in turn, limit our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations. For example, our revolving credit facility and indentures restrict our ability to, among other things:
• | incur additional debt or issue guarantees; |
• | incur or permit certain liens to exist; |
• | make certain investments, acquisitions or other restricted payments; |
• | dispose of assets; |
• | engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates; |
• | merge, consolidate or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; and |
• | prepay certain indebtedness. |
Furthermore, our revolving credit facility contains covenants requiring us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1 (or 5.50 to 1 during an approximate two quarter period following the completion of certain acquisitions) and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.5 to 1.
The provisions of our revolving credit facility and indentures may affect our ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of our revolving credit facility or indentures could result in an event of default which could enable our lenders or noteholders, subject to the terms and conditions of the revolving credit facility and indentures, to declare the outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay the accelerated amounts, the lenders under our revolving credit facility could proceed against the collateral granted to them to
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secure such debt. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, and the holders of the notes could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. The revolving credit facility also has cross default provisions that apply to any other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $15 million and the indentures have cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness with an outstanding principal amount of $50 million.
Our current indebtedness and debt we incur in the future may limit our flexibility to obtain financing and to pursue other business opportunities.
Our current leverage and future level of indebtedness, including the notes, could have important consequences to us, including the following:
• | our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures (including required drilling pad connections and well connections pursuant to certain of our gas gathering agreements as well as acquisitions) or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms; |
• | our funds available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders will be reduced by that portion of our cash flow required to make interest payments on our debt; |
• | we may be more vulnerable to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally; and |
• | our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions may be limited. |
Our ability to service our debt will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service any future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets or issuing equity. We may not be able to effect any of these actions on satisfactory terms or at all.
Increases in interest rates could adversely impact our unit price, our ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes, and our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Interest rates may increase in the future. As a result, interest rates on future credit facilities and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. As with other yield-oriented securities, our unit price will be impacted by the level of our cash distributions and implied distribution yield. The distribution yield is often used by investors to compare and rank yield-oriented securities for investment decision-making purposes. Therefore, changes in interest rates, either positive or negative, may affect the yield requirements of investors who invest in our units, and a rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on our unit price and our ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes and to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Due to our lack of industry diversification, adverse developments in our segment of the midstream industry could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and reduce our ability to make payments on the notes and our other debt obligations.
Our operations are focused on natural gas gathering, treating and compression services. Due to our lack of industry diversification, adverse developments in our current segment of the midstream industry could have a significantly greater impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows than if our operations were more diversified.
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Increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing could result in reductions or delays in natural gas production by our customers, which could adversely impact our revenues.
An increasing percentage of our customers’ oil and gas production is being developed from unconventional sources, such as deep gas shales. These reservoirs require hydraulic fracturing completion processes to release the gas from the rock so it can flow through casing to the surface. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into the formation to stimulate gas production. A number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Department of Energy, are analyzing, or have been requested to review, a variety of environmental issues associated with shale development, including hydraulic fracturing. In addition, the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing involving diesel additives under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control Program and has begun the process of drafting guidance documents related to this assertion of regulatory authority. In addition, some states and municipalities have adopted, and other states and municipalities are considering adopting, regulations that could impose more stringent disclosure and/or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations. At the same time, certain environmental groups have suggested that additional laws may be needed to more closely and uniformly regulate the hydraulic fracturing process, and legislation has been proposed by some members of Congress to provide for such regulation. We cannot predict whether any such legislation will ever be enacted and if so, what its provisions would be. If additional levels of regulation and permits were required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal or state level, that could lead to delays, increased operating costs and process prohibitions that could reduce the volumes of natural gas that move through our gathering systems which would materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.
We may incur significant costs and liabilities in complying with, or as a result of a failure to comply with, new or existing environmental laws and regulations, and changes in environmental laws or regulations could adversely impact our customers’ production and operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
Our natural gas gathering, treating and compression operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relate to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to our operations, including obtaining permits to conduct regulated activities, incurring capital or operating expenditures to limit or prevent releases of materials from our pipelines and facilities, and imposing substantial liabilities and remedial obligations relating to pollution or emissions that may result from our operations. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the EPA and analogous state agencies, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, oftentimes requiring regulated parties to undertake difficult and costly actions. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations. In addition, we may experience a delay in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits, which may cause us to lose potential and current customers, interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenues.
Moreover, changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase our compliance costs. Further, stricter requirements could negatively impact our customers’ production and operations. For example, on January 26, 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) adopted new rules governing emissions of regulated pollutants from oil and natural gas facilities. TCEQ continues to evaluate existing air regulations and proposed revisions to existing regulations as well as seek to promulgate new regulations that meet or exceed federal requirements. Such revised or new rules would establish new limits on emissions from some of our facilities as well as require implementation of best practices and/or technology and new monitoring and record keeping requirements. Similar regulatory changes could lead to more stringent air permitting, increased regulation and possible enforcement actions against the regulated community. Additionally, on July 28, 2011, the EPA proposed rules that would establish new air emission controls for oil and natural gas processing operations. Specifically, the
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EPA’s proposed rule package includes New Source Performance Standards to address emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, and a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas processing activities. The EPA is expected to receive public comment and hold hearings regarding the proposed rules and must take final action on them by April 3, 2012. If finalized, these rules could require a number of modifications to our customers’ as well as our operations, including the installation of new equipment. If these or other initiatives result in an increase in regulation, it could increase our costs or reduce our customers’ production, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
There is a risk that we may incur significant environmental costs and liabilities in connection with our operations due to historical industry practices, our handling of hydrocarbon wastes and air emissions and discharges related to our operations. Joint and several strict liability may be incurred, without regard to fault, under certain of these environmental laws and regulations in connection with discharges or releases of wastes on, under or from our properties and facilities, many of which have been used for midstream activities for a number of years, oftentimes by third parties not under our control. Private parties, including the owners of the properties through which our gathering systems pass and facilities where our wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal, may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, as well as to seek damages for non-compliance, with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage. For example, an accidental release from one of our pipelines could subject us to substantial liabilities arising from environmental cleanup and restoration costs, 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. We may not be able to recover all or any of these costs from insurance.
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the natural gas services we provide.
In December 2009, the EPA determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” present an endangerment to public 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. Based on these findings, the EPA has begun adopting and implementing regulations to restrict emissions of greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. The EPA adopted two sets of rules, effective January 2, 2011, regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, one of which requires a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles and the other of which regulates emissions of greenhouse gases from certain large stationary sources. The EPA’s rules relating to emissions of greenhouse gases from large stationary sources of emissions are currently subject to a number of legal challenges, but the federal courts have thus far declined to issue any injunctions to prevent the EPA from implementing, or requiring state environmental agencies to implement, the rules. With regard to the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gases, on November 30, 2010, the EPA published a final rule expanding its existing greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule published in October 2009 to include onshore oil and natural gas processing, transmission, storage, and distribution activities, which may include certain of our operations, beginning in 2012 for emissions occurring in 2011. In addition, the United States Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and some states, primarily outside of our areas of operations, have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
The adoption of legislation or regulatory programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur increased operating costs, such as costs to purchase and operate emissions control systems, to acquire emissions allowances or comply with new regulatory or reporting requirements. Any such legislation or regulatory programs could also increase the cost of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, the natural gas we gather, treat and transport. Consequently, legislation and regulatory programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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If our assets became subject to regulation by FERC or regulations of state and local agencies were to change, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Natural gas gathering and intrastate transportation facilities are exempt from the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) under the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”). Although FERC has not made any formal determinations respecting any of our facilities, we believe that our natural gas pipelines and related facilities are engaged in exempt gathering and intrastate transportation and, therefore, are not subject to FERC jurisdiction. If FERC were to consider the status of an individual facility and determine that the facility and/or services provided by it are not exempt from FERC regulation, the rates for, and terms and conditions of services provided by such facility would be subject to regulation by FERC. Such regulation could decrease revenues, increase operating costs, and depending upon the facility in question, could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, if any of our facilities were found to have provided services or otherwise operated in violation of the NGA or the Natural Gas Policy Act, this could result in the imposition of civil penalties as well as a requirement to disgorge charges collected for such service in excess of the cost-based rate established by FERC.
Moreover, FERC regulation affects our gathering and compression business generally. FERC’s policies and practices across the range of its natural gas regulatory activities, including, for example, its policies on open access transportation, market manipulation, ratemaking, capacity release and market transparency and market center promotion, directly and indirectly affect our gathering business. In addition, the distinction between FERC-regulated transmission facilities and federally unregulated gathering and intrastate transportation facilities is a fact-based determination made by FERC on a case by case basis; this distinction has also been the subject of regular litigation and change. The classification and regulation of our gathering and intrastate transportation facilities are subject to change based on future determinations by FERC, the courts or Congress.
State regulation of gathering facilities generally includes various safety, environmental and, in some circumstances, nondiscriminatory take requirements and complaint-based rate regulation. In recent years, FERC has taken a more light-handed approach to regulation of the gathering activities of interstate pipeline transmission companies, which has resulted in a number of such companies transferring gathering facilities to unregulated affiliates. As a result of these activities, natural gas gathering may begin to receive greater regulatory scrutiny at both the state and federal levels. We cannot predict what new or different regulations federal and state regulatory agencies may adopt, or what effect subsequent regulations may have on our activities. Such regulations may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If our services agreement with Chesapeake is terminated, or if Chesapeake fails to provide us with adequate services, we will have to obtain those services internally or through third-party arrangements.
We depend on Chesapeake to provide us certain general and administrative services and any additional services we may request pursuant to our services agreement. The term of the provision of general and administrative services by Chesapeake under the services agreement will continue until December 31, 2012 and will extend for additional twelve-month periods unless we or Chesapeake provides 180 days’ prior written notice of termination, subject to certain conditions and limitations. Though Chesapeake will agree to perform such services using no less than a reasonable level of care in accordance with industry standards, if Chesapeake fails to provide us adequate services, or if the services agreement is terminated for any reason, we will have to obtain these services internally or through third-party arrangements which may result in increased costs to us.
If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or prevent fraud.
Prior to our IPO in July 2010, we were not required to file reports with the SEC. Upon the completion of the offering, we became subject to the public reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, but prior to December 31, 2011, our internal accounting controls were not required to meet all standards applicable
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to companies with publicly traded securities. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a publicly traded partnership. Our efforts to develop and maintain our internal controls may not be successful, and we may be unable to maintain effective controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as Section 404. For example, Section 404 requires us, among other things, to annually review and report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. We were required to comply with Section 404 for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls or to improve our internal controls could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Given the difficulties inherent in the design and operation of internal controls over financial reporting, we can provide no assurance as to our or our independent registered public accounting firm’s conclusions about the effectiveness of our internal controls. Ineffective internal controls will subject us to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of confidence in our reported financial information, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
Risks Related to the Exchange Offers
If you wish to tender your old notes for exchange, you must comply with the requirements described in this prospectus.
You will receive new notes in exchange for old notes only after the exchange agent receives such old notes, a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documentation within the time limits described below. If you wish to tender your old notes in exchange for new notes, you should allow sufficient time for delivery. Neither the exchange agent nor the Partnership has any duty to give you notice of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes for exchange. Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following consummation of the exchange offers, continue to be subject to the existing restrictions upon transfer relating to the old notes.
In addition, if you tender your old notes in the exchange offers for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer who holds old notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities and who receives new notes for its own account in exchange for such old notes pursuant to the exchange offers must acknowledge in the letter of transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes.
If you do not exchange your old notes, you may have difficulty transferring them at a later time.
We will issue new notes in exchange for the old notes after the exchange agent receives your old notes, the letter of transmittal and all related documents. You should allow adequate time for delivery if you choose to tender your notes for exchange. Old notes that are not exchanged will remain subject to restrictions on transfer and will not have rights to registration.
If you do not participate in the exchange offers for the purpose of participating in the distribution of the new notes, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for any resale transaction. If any old notes are not tendered in the exchange or are tendered but not accepted, the trading market for such notes could be negatively affected due to the limited amount of notes expected to remain outstanding following the completion of the exchange offers.
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The consummation of the exchange offers may not occur.
We are not obligated to complete the exchange offers under certain circumstances. See “The Exchange Offers—Conditions of the Exchange Offers.” Even if the exchange offers are completed, they may not be completed on the schedule described in this prospectus. Accordingly, holders participating in the exchange offers may have to wait longer than expected to receive their new notes. You may be required to deliver prospectuses and comply with other requirements in connection with any resale of the new notes.
Holders of the old notes who do not tender their old notes will have no further rights under the registration rights agreements, including registration rights and the right to receive additional interest.
Holders who do not tender their old notes will not have any further registration rights or any right to receive additional interest under the registration rights agreements or otherwise.
Risks Related to the New Notes
Our level of indebtedness could limit our flexibility, adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from making payments on the notes.
As of December 31, 2011, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the exercise in December 2011 of the accordion feature contained in our revolving credit facility and to the offering of the old 2022 notes in January 2012 and our use of proceeds therefrom, there was no outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and $1.1 billion of senior notes. The new notes will be effectively subordinated to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:
• | make it difficult for us to satisfy our obligations, including those with respect to the new notes; |
• | make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
• | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for operations and other purposes; |
• | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and |
• | place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that may have proportionately less indebtedness. |
In addition, our ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance. We cannot assure you that our operating performance will generate sufficient cash flow or that our capital resources will be sufficient for payment of our indebtedness obligations in the future. Our financial and operating performance, cash flow and capital resources depend upon prevailing economic conditions and certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
A substantial decrease in our operating cash flow or an increase in our expenses could make it difficult for us to meet debt service requirements and could require us to modify our operations, reduce our capital expenditures, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or obtain additional financing. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. In addition, the terms of future debt agreements may, and our revolving credit facility and the indentures governing the notes restrict us from implementing some of these alternatives. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could
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face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate these dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service obligations then due.
Despite our level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur significantly more debt. This could increase the risks associated with our indebtedness, including our ability to service our indebtedness.
The terms of the indentures governing the notes contain restrictions on our or our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness. These restrictions are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Accordingly, we and our subsidiaries could incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, much of which could constitute secured or senior indebtedness. As of December 31, 2011, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to the exercise in December 2011 of the accordion feature contained in our revolving credit facility and to the offering of the old 2022 notes in January 2012 and our use of proceeds therefrom to repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility, we had no outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity, all of which would be secured, and $1.1 billion of senior unsecured indebtedness. Subject to the financial covenants contained in our revolving credit facility and based on our existing EBITDA (as defined in our revolving credit facility) calculations, as of December 31, 2011, on an as adjusted basis, we had the ability to incur approximately $734.3 million of that amount. The more leveraged we become, the more we, and in turn our security holders, become exposed to the risks described below under “—Restrictive covenants under our indentures may adversely affect our operations.”
We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and own our operating assets.
We are a holding company, and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the partnership interests, stock and other equity interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make required payments on the notes will depend on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, our revolving credit facility and other debt agreements and applicable state laws and other laws and regulations. If we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to pay the principal amount at maturity of the notes, or to repurchase the notes upon the occurrence of a change of control or from the proceeds of certain asset sales, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as a refinancing of the notes. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance the notes or obtain the funds to pay principal or interest on the notes.
In the future, one or more of our subsidiaries may not be required to guarantee the notes. Your right to receive payments on the notes could be adversely affected if any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries declares bankruptcy, liquidates or reorganizes.
Although all of our wholly owned subsidiaries, other than CHKM Finance Corp., the co-issuer of the notes, currently guarantee the notes, in the future, under certain circumstances, the guarantees are subject to release in certain circumstances, and we may have other subsidiaries that are not guarantors. Thus, the notes will be structurally junior to the claims of all creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, bankruptcy or similar proceedings respecting the business of a subsidiary that is not a guarantor, creditors of that subsidiary would generally have the right to be paid in full before any distribution is made to us or the holders of the notes. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient funds remaining to pay amounts due on all or any of the notes.
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Unless restricted by our debt agreements, we distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders and we are not required to accumulate cash for the purpose of meeting our future obligations to our noteholders, which may limit the cash available to service the notes and our other debt obligations.
Subject to the limitations on restricted payments contained in the indenture governing the notes and in our revolving credit facility and any other indebtedness, we will distribute all of our “available cash” each quarter to our unitholders. “Available cash” is defined in our partnership agreement, and it generally means, for each fiscal quarter:
(a) the sum of:
(1) all cash and cash equivalents of us and our subsidiaries on hand at the end of that quarter (including cash generated by our operations and proceeds from borrowings, sales of equity and debt securities and sales of assets for cash outside the ordinary course of business); and
(2) if our general partner so determines all or a portion of any additional cash or cash equivalents of us and our subsidiaries on hand on the date of determination of available cash for that quarter;
(b) less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
(1) provide for the proper conduct of the business of us and our subsidiaries (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for future credit needs of us and our subsidiaries) after that quarter;
(2) comply with applicable law or any debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which us or any of our subsidiaries is a party or its assets are subject; and
(3) provide funds for minimum quarterly distributions and cumulative common unit arrearages for any one or more of the next four quarters.
As a result, we do not expect to accumulate significant amounts of cash. Depending on the timing and amount of our cash distributions, these distributions could significantly reduce the cash available to us in subsequent periods to make payments on the notes and service our other debt obligations.
We may not be able to fund a change of control offer.
In the event of a change of control, we would be required, subject to certain conditions, to offer to purchase all outstanding notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase. If a change of control were to occur today, we would not have sufficient funds available to purchase all of the outstanding notes were they to be tendered in response to an offer made as a result of a change of control. We may not be permitted by our other debt instruments to fulfill these obligations upon a change of control in the future. Our failure to repurchase the notes as required under an indenture would result in a default under such indenture governing the notes and a cross default under our revolving credit facility, each of which could have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the notes. A “change of control” (as defined in the indentures governing the notes) may also be an event of default under our revolving credit facility that would permit the lenders to accelerate the debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility. See “Description of New 2021 Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and “Description of New 2022 Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control.”
Many of the covenants contained in the indentures will terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Many of the covenants governing the notes will terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., provided at such time no default under the respective indenture has occurred and is continuing. These covenants will restrict, among other things, our ability to pay distributions, incur debt and to enter into certain other transactions. There can be no assurance that the notes will ever be rated investment grade, or that if they are rated investment grade, that the notes will
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maintain such ratings. However, termination of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted while these covenants were in force. See “Description of New Notes—Certain Covenants—Covenant Termination.”
Your ability to transfer the new notes may be limited by the absence of a trading market.
The new notes will be new securities for which currently there is no trading market. We do not currently intend to apply for listing of the new notes on any securities exchange or stock market. Although the initial purchasers of the old notes have informed us that they currently intend to make a market in the new notes, they are not obligated to do so. In addition, they may discontinue any such market making at any time without notice. The liquidity of any market for the new notes will depend on the number of holders of those new notes, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in those new notes and other factors. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any market for the new notes. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the notes. We cannot assure you that the market, if any, for the new notes will be free from similar disruptions. Any such disruption may adversely affect the note holders.
Future trading prices of the new notes will depend on many factors, including:
• | our subsidiaries’ operating performance and financial condition; |
• | the interest of the securities dealers in making a market in the new notes; and |
• | the market for similar securities. |
Restrictive covenants under our indentures may adversely affect our operations.
The indentures governing the notes contain, and any future indebtedness we incur may contain, a number of restrictive covenants that will impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things:
• | sell assets, including equity interests in our subsidiaries; |
• | pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase our units or redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt; |
• | make investments; |
• | incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; |
• | create or incur certain liens; |
• | enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us; |
• | consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; |
• | engage in transactions with affiliates; and |
• | create unrestricted subsidiaries. |
As a result of these covenants, we will be limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs.
A failure to comply with the covenants in the indentures governing the notes or any future indebtedness could result in an event of default under the indentures governing the notes or the future indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In the event of any default under the indentures governing the notes or our other indebtedness, our debt holders and lenders:
• | will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us; |
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• | could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable; |
• | may have the ability to require us to apply all of our available cash to repay these borrowings; or |
• | may prevent us from making debt service payments under our other agreements, any of which could result in an event of default under the notes. |
If the indebtedness under the notes were to be accelerated, our assets may not be sufficient to repay such indebtedness in full. See “Description of New 2021 Notes” and “Description of New 2022 Notes.”
No market currently exists for the new notes, and an active trading market for the new notes may not develop.
The new notes comprise a new issue of securities for which there is currently no public market. If the new notes are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial public offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, the price and volatility of our common units, our performance and other factors. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the new notes. We cannot assure you that the market, if any, for the new notes will be free from similar disruptions. Any such disruption may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your new notes. To the extent that an active trading market for the new notes does not develop, the liquidity and trading prices for the notes may be harmed. Thus, you may not be able to liquidate your investment rapidly, and your lenders may not readily accept the new notes as collateral for loans.
Changes in our credit ratings or the debt markets may adversely affect the market price of the notes.
The price for the notes will depend on a number of factors, including:
• | our credit ratings with major credit rating agencies; |
• | the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies similar to us; |
• | the market price of our common units; |
• | our financial condition, operating performance and future prospects; and |
• | the overall condition of the financial markets and global and domestic economies. |
The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes. In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate the industries in which we operate as a whole and may change their credit rating for us based on their overall view of such industries. A negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the price of the notes.
The guarantees of the notes could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may try to subordinate or void the guarantees.
Under the federal bankruptcy laws and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a subsidiary guarantee could be voided, or claims in respect of a subsidiary guarantee could be subordinated to all other debts of that subsidiary guarantor if, among other things, the subsidiary guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:
• | received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of such subsidiary guarantee; and |
• | was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence; or |
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• | was engaged in a business or transaction for which the subsidiary guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or |
• | intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature. |
In addition, any payment by that subsidiary guarantor pursuant to its guarantee of the notes could be voided and required to be returned to the subsidiary guarantor, or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the subsidiary guarantor. The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered insolvent if:
• | the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets; |
• | the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability, including contingent liabilities, on its existing debts, as they become absolute and mature; or |
• | it could not pay its debts as they become due. |
Tax Risks
You are urged to read “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a discussion of certain federal income tax consequences of purchasing the notes.
The IRS could treat us as a corporation for tax purposes, which would substantially reduce the amount of cash available for payment of principal and interest on the notes.
If we were classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would be required to pay federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and would likely pay state income tax at varying rates. Treatment of us as a corporation would cause a material reduction in our anticipated cash flow, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes.
Current law or our business may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. For example, at the federal level, legislation previously has been proposed that would eliminate partnership tax treatment for certain publicly traded partnerships. Although such proposed legislation would not have applied to us as proposed, it is possible that modified versions of such legislation could be enacted which would apply to us. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could materially and adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes. At the state level, because of widespread state budget deficits and for other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. If any state were to impose any additional tax on us, the cash we have available to make payments on the notes could be materially reduced.
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Certain statements and information in this prospectus may constitute forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below:
• | our dependence on Chesapeake, Total and other third-party producers for a substantial majority of our revenues; |
• | the impact on our growth strategy and ability to increase cash distributions if Chesapeake, Total or other third-party producers do not increase the volume of natural gas they provide to our gathering systems; |
• | oil and natural gas realized prices; |
• | the termination of our gas gathering agreements with Chesapeake, Total or other third-party producers; |
• | the availability, terms and effects of acquisitions from Chesapeake; |
• | our potential inability to maintain existing distribution amounts or pay the minimum quarterly distribution to our unitholders; |
• | the limitations that Chesapeake’s and our own level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility; |
• | our ability to obtain new sources of natural gas, which is dependent on factors largely beyond our control; |
• | the availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures and other contractual obligations, and our ability to access those resources through the debt or equity capital markets; |
• | competitive conditions; |
• | the unavailability of third-party pipelines interconnected to our gathering systems or the potential that the volumes we gather do not meet the quality requirement of such pipelines; |
• | new asset construction may not result in revenue increases and will be subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic risks; |
• | our exposure to direct commodity price risk may increase in the future; |
• | our ability to maintain and/or obtain rights to operate our assets on land owned by third parties; |
• | hazards and operational risks that may not be fully covered by insurance; |
• | our dependence on Chesapeake for substantially all of our compression capacity; |
• | our lack of industry diversification; and |
• | legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in environmental regulations, environmental risks, regulations by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and liability under federal and state environmental laws and regulations. |
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Other factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results are described under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus and in our reports filed from time to time with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date originally made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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The exchange offers are intended to satisfy certain obligations of the Partnership under our registration rights agreements. We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. In exchange for issuing the new notes as contemplated in the exchange offers, we will receive old notes in the same principal amount. The form and terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except as described below under the heading “The Exchange Offers—Terms of the Exchange Offers.” The old notes tendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be re-issued. Accordingly, issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase in our outstanding debt.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated on a consolidated historical basis. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consists of pre-tax income from continuing operations before income from equity investees plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest), distributed income of equity investees and amortization of capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” represents interest incurred (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of debt expense (including discounts and premiums relating to indebtedness) and the portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.
Predecessor(1) | ||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2011 | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Period from October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 | Period from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 5.2x | 8.2x | 9.4x | — (2) | 6.5x | 10.5x |
(1) | Represents data from our predecessor, Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P. before the formation of the joint venture between Chesapeake and GIP on September 30, 2009. For further discussion, please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. |
(2) | During the period noted, our coverage ratio was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of approximately $14.8 million during the period from January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1. |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table shows summary consolidated historical financial and operating data for the Partnership and our predecessor for the periods and as of the dates presented. The following table should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the accompanying financial statements and related notes appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. On September 30, 2009, Chesapeake and GIP formed Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.L.C. in a joint venture transaction (the “JV Transaction”) to own and operate a portion of the business of our predecessor consisting of certain assets and operations that have historically been principally engaged in gathering, treating and compressing natural gas for Chesapeake and its working interest partners. Our predecessor retained a 50% interest in the Partnership and continues to operate midstream assets outside of the Partnership. Upon completion of our IPO, Chesapeake and GIP contributed to us a 100 percent membership interest in Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.L.C. Accordingly, the summary historical financial and operating data presented below are presented for two periods, our results and those of our predecessor, which relate to the accounting periods for our predecessor preceding the JV Transaction and for our results following the JV Transaction. Our results and those of our predecessor have been separated by a vertical line to highlight the fact that the financial and operating data for the periods presented relate to different entities. Because our assets and operations represent only a portion of the assets and operations of our predecessor, our future results of operations may not be comparable to our predecessor’s historical results. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Items Impacting the Comparability of Our Financial Results” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Moreover, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period.
The summary consolidated historical balance sheet data as of September 30, 2009, and summary consolidated historical statement of income and cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the nine months ended September 30, 2009, are derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of our predecessor incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The summary consolidated historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008, are derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of our predecessor not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The summary consolidated historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and summary consolidated historical statement of income and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, are derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of the Partnership incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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The following table includes our and our predecessor’s historical Adjusted EBITDA and our distributable cash flow, which have not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are presented because they are helpful to management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies and may be used to assess the financial performance and operating results of our fundamental business activities. For the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow and reconciliations thereof to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Predecessor Consolidated | Partnership | |||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2008 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2009 | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except operating data and ratios) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Income Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues(1) | $ | 332,783 | $ | 358,921 | $ | 107,377 | $ | 459,153 | $ | 565,929 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 141,803 | 146,604 | 31,874 | 133,293 | 176,851 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 47,558 | 65,477 | 20,699 | 88,601 | 136,169 | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense | 13,362 | 22,782 | 2,854 | 31,992 | 40,380 | |||||||||||||||||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets(2) | 30,000 | 90,207 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets(3) | (5,541 | ) | 44,566 | 34 | 285 | 739 | ||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 227,182 | 369,636 | 55,461 | 254,171 | 354,139 | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 105,601 | (10,715 | ) | 51,916 | 204,982 | 211,790 | ||||||||||||||||
Income from unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | 433 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest (expense) | (1,871 | ) | (347 | ) | (619 | ) | (7,426 | ) | (14,884 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income | 278 | 29 | 34 | 102 | 287 | |||||||||||||||||
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|
| |||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 104,008 | (11,033 | ) | 51,331 | 197,658 | 197,626 | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit)(4) | (61,287 | ) | 6,341 | 639 | 2,431 | 3,289 | ||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 165,295 | $ | (17,374 | ) | $ | 50,692 | $ | 195,227 | $ | 194,337 | |||||||||||
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|
| |||||||||||||
General partner interest in net income(5) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 2,188 | 5,070 | ||||||||||||||||
Limited partner interest in net income(5) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 107,208 | 189,267 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income per common unit (basic and diluted) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 0.78 | $ | 1.37 | |||||||||||||||
Net income per subordinated unit (basic and diluted) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 0.78 | $ | 1.37 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at period end): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net property, plant and equipment | $ | 2,339,473 | $ | 2,870,547 | $ | 1,776,415 | $ | 2,226,909 | $ | 2,527,924 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 2,583,765 | 3,232,840 | 1,958,675 | 2,545,916 | 3,683,238 | |||||||||||||||||
Total debt | 460,000 | 12,173 | 44,100 | 249,100 | 1,062,900 | |||||||||||||||||
Total equity | 1,793,269 | 2,996,403 | 1,793,627 | 2,194,568 | 2,473,145 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 236,774 | $ | 100,748 | $ | 14,730 | $ | 317,091 | $ | 399,016 | ||||||||||||
Investing activities | (1,384,834 | ) | (690,994 | ) | (46,352 | ) | (711,480 | ) | (1,017,104 | ) | ||||||||||||
Financing activities | 1,230,059 | 664,268 | 31,590 | 412,202 | 600,294 | |||||||||||||||||
Other Data (unaudited): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(6) | $ | 177,896 | $ | 189,564 | $ | 72,683 | $ | 293,970 | $ | 349,473 | ||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow(6) | n/a | n/a | n/a | 218,989 | 261,960 | |||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 1,402,449 | 756,883 | 46,377 | 216,303 | 418,834 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating Data (unaudited): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Throughput, bcf/d(7) | 1.585 | 2.108 | 1.550 | 1.595 | 2.176 |
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(1) | If Chesapeake or Total does not meet its minimum volume commitment to the Partnership in the Barnett Shale region or Chesapeake does not meet its minimum volume commitment in the Haynesville Shale region under the applicable gas gathering agreement for specified annual periods, Chesapeake or Total is obligated to pay the Partnership a fee equal to the applicable fee for each mcf by which the applicable party’s minimum volume commitment for the year exceeds the actual volumes gathered on the Partnership’s systems. The Partnership recognizes any associated revenue in the fourth quarter. Our revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2009, includes the impact of $7.7 million attributable to Chesapeake associated with the minimum volume commitment in our Barnett Shale region for 2009. For the years ended December��31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized revenue related to volume shortfall of $17.4 million and $56.8 million, respectively, because throughput in our Barnett Shale region was below contractual minimum volume commitment levels. |
(2) | Our predecessor recorded an $86.2 million impairment associated with certain Mid-Continent gathering systems that are not expected to have future cash flows in excess of the book value of the systems. These systems were subsequently contributed to us as of September 30, 2009. Additionally, $4 million of debt issuance costs were expensed as a result of the amendment of our predecessor’s $460 million credit facility. During the year ended December 31, 2008, our predecessor recorded a $30.0 million impairment associated with a treating facility as a result of the facility’s location in an area of continued declining throughput and a reduction in the future expected throughput volumes by Chesapeake, based on its revised future development plans on the associated oil and gas properties that serve as the primary source of throughput volumes for the facility. |
(3) | Our predecessor recorded a $44.6 million loss on the disposal of certain non-core and non-strategic gathering systems for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. |
(4) | Prior to February 2008, our predecessor filed a consolidated federal income tax return and state returns as required with Chesapeake. In February 2008, upon and subsequent to contribution of assets to our predecessor by Chesapeake, our predecessor and certain of its subsidiaries became a partnership and limited liability companies, respectively, and were subsequently treated as pass through entities for federal income tax purposes. For these entities, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated flow through to their owners and, accordingly, do not result in a provision for income taxes in our financial statements. As such, our predecessor has provided for the change in legal structure by recording an $86.2 million income tax benefit in 2008 at the time the change in legal structure occurred. This benefit was partially offset by income tax expense of $24.9 million, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $61.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The income tax expense of $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, is related to our predecessor’s remaining taxable entity that was not contributed to us. For the three months ended December 31, 2009, the year ended December 31, 2010, and the year ended December 31, 2011, the income tax expense of $0.6 million, $2.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, is entirely related to Texas Franchise Tax. |
(5) | The 2010 amounts are reflective of general and limited partner interests in net income since the closing of our IPO on August 3, 2010. |
(6) | Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are defined in “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. |
(7) | Excludes production for Appalachia Midstream acquired on December 29, 2011. |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management believes it is appropriate to exclude certain items from EBITDA because management believes these items affect the comparability of operating results. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense and certain other items management believes affect the comparability of operating results. We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA, plus interest income, less cash paid for interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes. Distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Distributable cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP. We did not utilize a distributable cash flow measure prior to becoming a publicly traded partnership in 2010 and, as such, did not differentiate between maintenance and capital expenditures prior to 2010 and do not report distributable cash flow for periods prior to 2010. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess:
• | our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry, without regard to historical cost basis, or in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, financing methods; |
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• | our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; |
• | the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our unitholders; and |
• | the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities. |
We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Our non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income or net cash provided by operating activities. Each of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities, respectively. You should not consider either Adjusted EBITDA or distributable cash flow in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow to the GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities:
Predecessor Consolidated | Partnership | |||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2008 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2009 | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Year Ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except operating data and ratios) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 165,295 | $ | (17,374 | ) | $ | 50,692 | $ | 195,227 | $ | 194,337 | |||||||||||
Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,871 | 347 | 619 | 7,426 | 14,884 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (61,287 | ) | 6,341 | 639 | 2,431 | 3,289 | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 47,558 | 65,477 | 20,699 | 88,601 | 136,169 | |||||||||||||||||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets | 30,000 | 90,207 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets | (5,541 | ) | 44,566 | 34 | 285 | 739 | ||||||||||||||||
Income from unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | (433 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | 488 | |||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 177,896 | $ | 189,564 | $ | 72,683 | $ | 293,970 | $ | 349,473 | ||||||||||||
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Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 236,774 | $ | 100,748 | $ | 14,730 | $ | 317,091 | $ | 399,016 | ||||||||||||
Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities | (61,286 | ) | 88,187 | 56,656 | (28,002 | ) | (62,457 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,871 | 347 | 619 | 7,426 | 14,884 | |||||||||||||||||
Current income tax expense | — | — | 639 | 2,431 | 3,289 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-cash items | 537 | 282 | 39 | (4,976 | ) | (5,747 | ) | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | 488 | |||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 177,896 | $ | 189,564 | $ | 72,683 | $ | 293,970 | $ | 349,473 | ||||||||||||
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Reconciliation of Distributable Cash Flow to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities(1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 317,091 | $ | 399,016 | |||||||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities | n/a | n/a | n/a | (28,002 | ) | (62,457 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures | n/a | n/a | n/a | (70,000 | ) | (74,000 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other non-cash items | n/a | n/a | n/a | (100 | ) | (599 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
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| |||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 218,989 | $ | 261,960 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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|
| |||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Distributable Cash Flow to Net Income(1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 195,227 | $ | 194,337 | |||||||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures | n/a | n/a | n/a | (70,000 | ) | (74,000 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Plus: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 88,601 | 136,169 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets | 285 | 739 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other non-cash items | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4,876 | 4,715 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Distributable cash flow | n/a | n/a | n/a | $ | 218,989 | $ | 261,960 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
(1) | We did not utilize a distributable cash flow measure prior to becoming a publicly traded partnership in 2010 and, as such, did not differentiate between maintenance and capital expenditures prior to 2010 and do not report distributable cash flow for periods prior to 2010. |
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Purpose of the Exchange Offers
We entered into registration rights agreements in connection with the issuance of the old 2021 notes and the old 2022 notes on April 19, 2011 and January 11, 2012, respectively (collectively, the “registration rights agreements”). Pursuant to the registration rights agreements, we agreed to:
• | use our commercially reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective under the Securities Act a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the old notes for the new notes; |
• | complete the exchange offers on or before the date that is 365 days after each of April 19, 2011, with respect to the 2021 notes, and January 11, 2012, with respect to the 2022 notes (each such date, the “Target Registration Date”); and |
• | unless the exchange offers would not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, to commence the exchange offers and to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to issue on or prior to 20 business days, or longer, if required by the federal securities laws, after the date on which such exchange offers commence, new notes in exchange for all old notes tendered prior thereto in the exchange offers. |
The registration rights agreements provide, among other things, that if we default in our obligations to take required actions to make the exchange offers within the required time periods described above, then we will pay additional interest to each holder of notes, at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of old notes held by such holder, with respect to the first 90 days after the Target Registration Date with respect to such notes (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such liquidated damages continue to accrue), in each case until the exchange offer for such notes is completed or the shelf registration statement for such notes is declared effective or is no longer required to be effective; provided, however, that at no time may the amount of liquidated damages accruing exceed in the aggregate 0.50% per annum; and provided, further, that upon the exchange of new notes for all old notes, additional interest on such notes shall cease to accrue.
We agreed to issue and exchange the new notes for all old notes properly tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration of the exchange offers. The summary in this document of the registration rights agreements is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, all the provisions of the registration rights agreements.We urge you to read carefully the entire registration rights agreements.A copy of each registration rights agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The registration statement is intended to satisfy some of our obligations under the registration rights agreements and the purchase agreements relating to the initial sale of the notes.
Terms of the Exchange Offers
Based on the terms and conditions in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will issue $1,000 principal amount of the applicable series of new notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of the corresponding series of outstanding old notes properly tendered pursuant to the exchange offers and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date. Old notes may be tendered in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The form and terms of the new notes are the same as the form and terms of the old notes except that:
• | the new notes will have a different CUSIP number from the old notes; |
• | the new notes will be registered for the exchange offers under the Securities Act and, therefore, the new notes will not bear legends restricting the transfer of the new notes; and |
• | holders of the new notes will not be entitled to any of the registration rights of holders of old notes under the registration rights agreements, which will terminate upon the consummation of the exchange offers. |
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The new notes will evidence the same indebtedness as the old notes, which they replace, and will be issued under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the same indentures, that authorized the issuance of the old notes. As a result, both series of notes will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the respective indentures.
As of the date of this prospectus, $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the old 2021 notes and $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the old 2022 notes is outstanding. Cede & Co., as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), is the registered owner of the old notes. Solely for reasons of administration, we have fixed the close of business on , 2012 as the record date for the exchange offers for purposes of determining the persons to whom this prospectus and the letter of transmittal will be mailed initially. There will be no fixed record date for determining holders of the old notes entitled to participate in the exchange offers.
In connection with the exchange offers, none of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or the indentures governing the notes gives you any appraisal or dissenters’ rights nor any other right to seek monetary damages in court. We intend to conduct the exchange offers in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreements and the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the related SEC rules and regulations.
For all relevant purposes, we will be regarded as having accepted properly tendered old notes if and when we give oral or written notice of our acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the surrendering holders of old notes for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us.
If you tender old notes in the exchange offers, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees. In addition, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, you will not have to pay transfer taxes for the exchange of old notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described under “—Fees and Expenses” below.
By executing or otherwise becoming bound by the letter of transmittal, you will be making the representations described under “—Representations on Tendering Old Notes” below.
Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments
The “expiration date” for each series of old notes is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2012, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend an exchange offer, in which case the expiration date is the latest date and time to which we extend such exchange offer.
In order to extend an exchange offer, we will:
• | notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral or written notice; and |
• | issue a press release or other public announcement which will include disclosure of the approximate number of old notes deposited; such press release or announcement would be issued prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. |
We expressly reserve the right:
• | to delay accepting any old notes, but only to the extent that such delay is the result of an extension of such exchange offer and permitted by Rule 14e-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act; |
• | to extend the exchange offers; or |
• | if, in the opinion of our counsel, the consummation of an exchange offer would violate any law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC, to terminate or amend such exchange offer by giving oral or written notice to the exchange agent. |
Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as soon as practicable by a press release or other public announcement. We may terminate or amend the exchange offer for each series
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independently. If an exchange offer is amended in a manner determined by us to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose that amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders. We will also extend such exchange offer for a period of five to ten business days, depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the holders, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during the five- to ten-business-day period following such amendment.
We will have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any public announcement of any delay, extension, amendment or termination that we may choose to make, other than by making a timely release to an appropriate news agency.
Interest on the New Notes
The new 2021 notes will accrue interest on the same terms as the old 2021 notes,i.e., at the rate of 5.875% per year from the most recent date to which interest has been paid, or if no interest has been paid, from April 19, 2011, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, with the next interest payment date being April 15, 2012.
The new 2022 notes will accrue interest on the same terms as the old 2022 notes,i.e., at the rate of 6.125% per year from the most recent date to which interest has been paid, or if no interest has been paid, from January 11, 2012, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, with the next interest payment date being July 15, 2012.
Resale of the New Notes
We believe that you may resell the new notes to the public without registration under the Securities Act, and without delivering a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of the Securities Act, if you can make the three representations set forth above under “Prospectus Summary—Summary of the Exchange Offers—Procedures for Participating in the Exchange Offers.” However, if you intend to participate in a distribution of the new notes, you must comply with the registration requirements of the Securities Act and deliver a prospectus, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available. In addition, you cannot be an “affiliate,” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp. or a broker-dealer tendering the old notes acquired directly from us for its own account. You are required to represent to us in the letter of transmittal accompanying this prospectus that you meet these conditions exempting you from the registration requirements.
We base our view on interpretations by the staff of the SEC in no-action letters issued to other issuers in exchange offers like ours. We have not, however, asked the SEC to consider these particular exchange offers in the context of a no-action letter. Therefore, you cannot be sure that the SEC will treat these exchange offers in the same way as it has treated others in the past. If our belief is wrong, or if you cannot truthfully make the representations described above, and you transfer any new note issued to you in the exchange offers without meeting the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, or without an exemption from such requirements, you could incur liability under the Securities Act. We are not indemnifying you for any such liability and we will not protect you against any loss incurred as a result of any such liability under the Securities Act.
A broker-dealer that has bought old notes for market-making or other trading activities has to deliver a prospectus in order to resell any new notes it has received for its own account in the exchange. This prospectus may be used by a broker-dealer to resell any of its new notes. In addition, a broker-dealer which has acquired the old notes for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offers if it has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with us or any of our affiliates to distribute the new notes. We have agreed in the registration rights agreements to make this prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus, available to any broker-dealer that requests copies in the letter of transmittal for a period of up to one year after the registration statement relating to these exchange offers is declared effective. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information regarding broker-dealers.
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Procedures For Tendering
If you wish to tender old notes you must do the following:
• | properly complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal (or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal); |
• | have the signatures on the letter of transmittal (or facsimile) guaranteed if required by the letter of transmittal; and |
• | mail or deliver the letter of transmittal (or facsimile) together with your old notes and any other required documents to the exchange agent at the address appearing below under “—Exchange Agent” for receipt prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. |
In addition, either:
• | certificates for such old notes must be received by the exchange agent along with the letter of transmittal; |
• | a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of the old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below under “—Book-Entry Transfer,” must be received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or |
• | you must comply with the procedures described below under “—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.” |
In order for the tender to be effective, the exchange agent must receive the old notes, a completed letter of transmittal and all other required documents before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
All of the old notes were issued in book-entry form, and all of the old notes are currently represented by global certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that the old notes may be tendered using DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP. The exchange agent will establish an account with DTC for purposes of each exchange offer promptly after the commencement of such exchange offer, and DTC participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of such exchange offer by causing DTC to transfer their old notes to the exchange agent using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an “agent’s message” to the exchange agent. The agent’s message will state that DTC has received instructions from the participant to tender old notes and that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.
By using the ATOP procedures to exchange old notes, you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. You will, however, be bound by its terms just as if you had signed it.
The method of delivery of old notes and the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at your election and risk, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received or confirmed by the exchange agent.
As an alternative to delivery by mail, you may wish to consider overnight or hand delivery service, properly insured.In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date.Do not send the letter of transmittal or any old notes to us. You may ask your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or nominee to perform these transactions for you.
If you do not withdraw your tender of old notes prior to the expiration date, you will be regarded as agreeing to tender the new notes in accordance with the terms and conditions in the exchange offers.
If you are a beneficial owner of the old notes and your old notes are held through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you want to tender your old notes, you should contact your intermediary promptly and instruct it to tender the old notes on your behalf. If you wish to tender on your own behalf, you must, before completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your old notes, either arrange to have your old notes registered in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take a long time.
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By tendering, you will make the representations described below under “—Representations on Tendering Old Notes.” In addition, each participating broker-dealer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Your tender and our acceptance of the tender will constitute the agreement between you and us set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
Signature on Letter Of Transmittal
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described below under “—Withdrawal of Tenders,” as the case may be, must generally be guaranteed by an eligible institution. You can submit the letter of transmittal without guarantee if you surrender your old notes (i) as a registered holder and you have not completed the box titled “Special Delivery Instruction” on the letter of transmittal or (ii) for the account of an eligible institution. If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantee must be made by:
• | a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; |
• | a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States; or |
• | an “eligible guarantor institution” within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act which is a member of one of the recognized signature guarantee programs identified in the letter of transmittal. |
If you sign the letter of transmittal even though you are not the registered holder of any old notes listed in the letter of transmittal, your old notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The bond power must authorize you to tender the old notes on behalf of the registered holder and must be signed by the registered holder as the registered holder’s name appears on the old notes.
In connection with any surrender of old notes in definitive certificated form, if you sign the letter of transmittal or any old notes or bond powers in your capacity as trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact or officer of a corporation or if you are otherwise acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, you should indicate this when signing. Unless waived by us, you must submit with the letter of transmittal evidence satisfactory to us of your authority to act in the particular capacity.
Acceptance of Tendered Old Notes
All questions as to the validity, form, acceptance, withdrawal and eligibility, including time of receipt of surrendered old notes, will be determined by us in our sole discretion, which will be final and binding.
We reserve the absolute right:
• | to reject any and all old notes not properly tendered; |
• | to reject any old notes if our acceptance of them would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful; and |
• | to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular old notes. |
Unless waived, you must cure any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes within the time period we will determine. Although we intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes, neither we, the exchange agent nor anyone else will be liable for failure to give such notice. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed to have been made until any defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.
We do not currently intend to acquire any old notes that are not tendered in the exchange offers or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any old notes that are not tendered pursuant to the exchange offers. We
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reserve the right in our sole discretion to purchase or make offers for any old notes that remain outstanding after the expiration date. To the extent permitted by applicable law, we also reserve the right in our sole discretion to purchase old notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any future purchases or offers could differ from the terms of the exchange offers.
Representations on Tendering Old Notes
By surrendering old notes pursuant to the exchange offers, you will be telling us that, among other things,
• | you have full power and authority to surrender, sell, assign and transfer the old notes tendered; |
• | you are acquiring the new notes in the ordinary course of your business; |
• | you are not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., or a broker-dealer tendering the old notes acquired directly from us for its own account; |
• | you are not participating, do not intend to participate and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes; |
• | you acknowledge and agree that if you are a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act or you are participating in the exchange offers for the purposes of distributing the new notes, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale of the new notes, and you cannot rely on the position of the SEC staff in their no-action letters; |
• | you understand that a secondary resale transaction described above and any resales of new notes obtained by you in exchange for old notes acquired by you directly from us should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or Item 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K of the SEC; and |
• | we will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the old notes being tendered, free and clear of all security interests, liens, restrictions, charges, encumbrances, conditional sale agreements or other obligations relating to their sale or transfer, and not subject to any adverse claim when the old notes are accepted by us. |
If you are a broker-dealer and you will receive new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge in the letter of transmittal that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes.
Return of Old Notes
If any tendered old notes are not accepted for any reason described here or if old notes are withdrawn or are submitted for a greater principal amount than you desire to exchange, those old notes will be returned, at our cost, to (i) the person who surrendered them or (ii) in the case of old notes surrendered by book-entry transfer, the exchange agent’s account at DTC. Any such old notes will be returned promptly to the tendering person or credited to an account maintained with DTC.
Book-Entry Transfer
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to each series of old notes at DTC for purposes of facilitating the exchange offers within two business days after the date of this prospectus. Subject to the establishment of the account, any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s systems may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer the old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. However, although delivery of old notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, you must transmit the letter of transmittal with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents to the exchange agent at the address appearing below under “—Exchange Agent” for its receipt on or prior to the expiration date or pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
If you wish to tender your old notes and (i) your old notes are not readily available so you cannot meet the expiration date deadline or (ii) you cannot deliver your old notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date, you may still participate in the exchange offers if:
• | the tender is made through an eligible institution; |
• | prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from such eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery substantially in the form provided by us, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery, containing: |
• | the name and address of the holder, the certificate number(s) of the old notes, if applicable, and the principal amount of old notes tendered; and |
• | a statement that the tender is being made thereby; |
• | a guarantee that, within five New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading days after the expiration date, the letter of transmittal, together with the certificate(s) representing the old notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, and any other required documents, will be deposited by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and |
• | the properly executed letter of transmittal, as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered old notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal are received by the exchange agent within five NYSE trading days after the expiration date. |
The exchange agent will send you a notice of guaranteed delivery upon your request if you wish to tender your old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
Withdrawal of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
• | the exchange agent must receive a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at its address set forth below under “—Exchange Agent” prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date; or |
• | for DTC participants, holders must comply with DTC’s standard operating procedures for electronic tenders and the exchange agent must receive an electronic notice of withdrawal from DTC. |
Any notice of withdrawal must:
• | specify the name of the person having deposited the old notes to be withdrawn; |
• | identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate number or numbers, if applicable, and principal amount of the old notes; |
• | be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal by which the old notes were tendered; and |
• | specify the name in which the old notes are to be re-registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder. |
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notices, and our determination shall be final and binding upon all parties. Any old notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offers, and no new notes will be issued
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unless the old notes so withdrawn are validly re-tendered. Properly withdrawn old notes may be re-tendered by following one of the procedures described above under “—Procedures for Tendering” at any time prior to the expiration date.
Conditions
Despite any other term of the exchange offers, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange the new notes for, any old notes, and we may terminate the exchange offers as provided in this prospectus before the acceptance of those old notes if, in our judgment, any of the following conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied or waived prior to the expiration of the exchange offers:
• | any law, statute, rule or regulation is proposed, adopted or enacted, or the staff of the SEC interprets any existing law, statute, rule or regulation in a manner, which, in our reasonable judgment, would materially impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offers; |
• | any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offers which, in our reasonable judgment, would materially impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offers; or |
• | any governmental approval, which we deem necessary for the consummation of the exchange offers, has not been obtained. |
If we determine in our sole discretion that any of these conditions are not satisfied, we may:
• | refuse to accept any old notes and promptly return all tendered old notes to the tendering holders; |
• | extend the exchange offers and retain all old notes tendered prior to the expiration of the exchange offers, subject, however, to the rights of holders who tendered the old notes to withdraw their tendered old notes; or |
• | waive the unsatisfied conditions with respect to the exchange offers and accept all properly tendered old notes which have not been withdrawn. If that waiver constitutes a material change to the exchange offers, we will promptly disclose the waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders, and we will extend the exchange offers to the extent required by law. |
The conditions listed above are for our sole benefit and we may assert these rights regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these conditions. We may waive these conditions in our reasonable discretion in whole or in part at any time and from time to time. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the above rights, the failure will not be deemed a waiver of these rights, and these rights will be deemed ongoing rights which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
The exchange offers are not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of old notes being submitted for exchange.
Termination of Certain Rights
All registration rights under the registration rights agreements benefiting the holders of the old notes will terminate when we consummate the exchange offers. That includes all rights to receive additional interest in the event of a registration default under the registration rights agreements. In any case, we are under a continuing obligation, for a period of up to one year after the expiration date of these exchange offers, to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to keep the registration statement effective and to make this prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus, available to any broker-dealer that requests copies in the letter of transmittal for use in a resale.
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Exchange Agent
We have appointed The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as the exchange agent for the exchange offers. You should direct any questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent, addressed as follows:
By mail, hand or overnight courier:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Exchange Agent
c/o The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Corporate Trust Operations—Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street, Floor 7 East
New York, NY 10286
Attention:
By facsimile:
(212) 298-1915
Confirm by telephone:
(212) 815-
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. also serves as trustee under the indentures governing the notes.
Fees and Expenses
We will pay for the expenses of the exchange offers. The principal solicitation for tenders of old notes is being made by mail. However, additional solicitation may be made by telegraph, facsimile transmission, e-mail, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees.
We have not retained a dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offers, and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offers. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with providing the services.
We will pay any transfer taxes applicable to the exchange of old notes. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange, then the amount of any transfer taxes will be payable by the person tendering the notes. If you do not submit satisfactory evidence of payment of taxes or of an exemption with the letter of transmittal, the amount of those transfer taxes will be billed directly to you.
Accounting Treatment
We will record the new notes at the same carrying value as the old notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Therefore, we will not recognize a gain or loss for accounting purposes. We will amortize the expenses of the exchange offers and the unamortized expenses related to the issuance of the old notes over the remaining term of the notes.
Consequence of Failure to Exchange
You do not have to participate in the exchange offers. You should carefully consider whether to accept the terms and conditions of the exchange offers. We urge you to consult your financial and tax advisors in deciding what action to take with respect to the exchange offers.
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Old notes that are not exchanged will remain “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3)(iii) of the Securities Act. Accordingly, they may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except:
• | so long as the old notes are eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person who the seller reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; |
• | outside the U.S. to a foreign person in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act; |
• | pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144, if available; |
• | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or |
• | pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, |
in each case in accordance with all other applicable securities laws.
Additionally, we expect that, following the consummation of the exchange offers, the trading market for the old notes will be negatively affected because of the limited amount of old notes expected to remain outstanding. See “Risk Factors” for more information about the risks of not participating in the exchange offers.
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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Revolving Credit Facility
Our revolving credit facility, as amended to date, provides us up to $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity and includes a sub-limit up to $50 million for same-day swing line advances and a sub-limit up to $50 million for letters of credit. In addition, our revolving credit facility contains an accordion feature that allows us to increase the available borrowing capacity under the facility up to $1.25 billion, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the identification of lenders or proposed lenders that agree to satisfy the increased commitment amounts under the facility. Our revolving credit facility matures in June 2016. After giving effect to the issuance of the old 2022 notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom to repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility, as of February 29, 2012, we had $85.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
Borrowings under our revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital, finance capital expenditures and acquisitions, provide for the issuance of letters of credit and for general partnership purposes. Our revolving credit facility is secured by all of our assets, and loans thereunder (other than swing line loans) bear interest at our option at either (i) the greater of (a) the reference rate of Wells Fargo Bank, NA, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50 percent or (c) the Eurodollar rate which is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus 1.00 percent, each of which is subject to a margin that varies from 0.625 percent to 1.50 percent per annum, according to the Partnership’s leverage ratio (which is defined as the ratio of consolidated indebtedness on any day to consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available), or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a margin that varies from 1.625 percent to 2.50 percent per annum, according to the Partnership’s leverage ratio. If we reach investment grade status, we will have the option to release the security under the credit facility and amounts borrowed will bear interest under a specified ratings-based pricing grid. The unused portion of the credit facility is subject to commitment fees of (a) 0.25 percent to 0.40 percent per annum while we are subject to the leverage-based pricing grid, according to the Partnership’s leverage ratio and (b) 0.20 percent to 0.35 percent per annum while we are subject to the ratings-based pricing grid, according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings.
Additionally, our revolving credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness, guarantees and/or liens; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; make certain investments, acquisitions or other restricted payments; engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates; dispose of assets; and prepay certain indebtedness. If we fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated and any outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest, under the revolving credit facility could be declared immediately due and payable. Our revolving credit facility also has cross default provisions that apply to any other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $15 million.
The revolving credit facility agreement contains certain negative covenants that (i) limit our ability, as well as the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, among other things, to enter into hedging arrangements and create liens and (ii) require us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, and an EBITDA to interest expense ratio, in each case as described in the credit facility agreement. The revolving credit facility agreement also provides for the discontinuance of the requirement for us to maintain the EBITDA to interest expense ratio if we reach investment grade status. The revolving credit facility agreement also requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of 5.0 to not more than 1.0 (or 5.5 to 1.0 during an approximate two-quarter period following the completion of certain acquisitions). Following the issuance of the 2022 notes in January 2012, and based on our EBITDA (as defined in the credit facility), such leverage ratio currently limits our borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility to $734.3 million. We were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement at December 31, 2011.
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Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. and CHKM Finance Corp. issued $350,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, which we refer to as the old 2021 notes. The new 2021 notes will be pari passu with, and vote on any matter submitted to noteholders with, the old 2021 notes. The new 2021 notes have the same financial terms and covenants as the old 2021 notes. In this description we sometimes refer to the old 2021 notes and the new 2021 notes together as the “notes.” The new 2021 notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding old 2021 notes which they replace.
The old 2021 notes were, and the new 2021 notes will be, issued under an indenture among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The terms of the notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description under the subheading “—Certain Definitions.” In this description, the term “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we” refers only to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. and not to any of its subsidiaries, the term “Finance Corp.” refers to CHKM Finance Corp. and the term “Issuers” refers to the Company and Finance Corp.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture and the registration rights agreement relating to the 2021 notes. It does not restate those agreements in their entirety. We urge you to read the indenture and the registration rights agreement because they, and not this description, define the rights of Holders of the notes. Copies of the indenture and the registration rights agreement have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and are available to you as set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The registered Holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders will have rights under the indenture. See “—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form—Depositary Procedures.”
Brief Description of the Notes and the Guarantees
The Notes
Like the old 2021 notes, the new 2021 notes:
• | will be general unsecured obligations of the Issuers; |
• | will be non-recourse to our General Partner and its owners; |
• | will be equal in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Debt of either of the Issuers; |
• | will be effectively junior to any secured debt of the Issuers, including the Company’s guarantee of the Credit Agreement; |
• | will be senior to any future subordinated debt of the Issuers; and |
• | will be unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior unsecured basis. |
The Subsidiary Guarantees
The notes are currently guaranteed by the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., which we call the “Operating Company” in this description, and by all of the Company’s other existing Subsidiaries other than Finance Corp.
Each guarantee of the new 2021 notes, like each guarantee of the old 2021 notes:
• | will be a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor; |
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• | will be equal in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Debt of that Guarantor; |
• | will be effectively junior to any secured debt of the Guarantors, including under the Credit Agreement; and |
• | will be senior to any future subordinated debt of the Guarantors. |
Furthermore, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees,” in the future one or more of our newly created or acquired subsidiaries may not guarantee the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us.
As of the date of the indenture, all of our Subsidiaries were “Restricted Subsidiaries.” However, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” we will be permitted to designate certain of our Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the indenture. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes.
The Company has no independent assets or operations. The Company’s operations are conducted by its subsidiaries through its operating company subsidiary, Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. Each of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. and the Company’s other subsidiaries is a Guarantor, other than Finance Corp., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company whose sole purpose is to act as co-issuer of the notes. Each Guarantor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company or any Guarantor to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan. None of the assets of the Company or any Guarantor represent restricted net assets pursuant to Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Issuers have previously issued and sold old 2021 notes in an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million. The Issuers may issue additional 2021 notes from time to time after the exchange offers, subject to the covenant described below under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” The old 2021 notes, the new 2021 notes and any additional 2021 notes subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this “Description of New 2021 Notes” section, reference to the notes includes the old 2021 notes, the new 2021 notes and any additional 2021 notes actually issued. The Issuers will issue new 2021 notes in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will mature on April 15, 2021.
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 5.875% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, with the next interest payment date being April 15, 2012. The Issuers will make each interest payment to the Holders of record on the April 1 and October 1 immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuers, the Issuers will pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on notes will
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be made at the office or agency of the paying agent and registrar within the City and State of New York unless the Issuers elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.
Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. The Issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the notes, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of notes. No service charge will be imposed by the Issuers, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
Subsidiary Guarantees
Currently, the Operating Company and all of our other Subsidiaries, excluding Finance Corp., guarantee the notes on a senior unsecured basis. In the future, other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company will be required to guarantee the notes under the circumstances described under “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.” These Subsidiary Guarantees are joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See “Risk Factors—The guarantees of the notes could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may try to subordinate or void the guarantees.”
A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(2) either:
(a) the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under the notes, the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee on terms set forth in the indenture; or
(b) such sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture.
The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:
(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture;
(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition;
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(3) if the Company designates that Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture;
(4) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as described below under the caption “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or upon satisfaction and discharge of the indenture as described below under the caption “—Satisfaction and Discharge;”
(5) in the case of any Guarantor other than the Operating Company, at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or the Operating Company under a Credit Facility; or
(6) in the case of the Operating Company, at such time as the Operating Company ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers under a Credit Facility, provided that it is then no longer an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under a Credit Facility.
Optional Redemption
Except as provided below and in the final paragraph under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control,” the notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to April 15, 2015.
On and after April 15, 2015, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage | |||
2015 | 104.406 | % | ||
2016 | 102.938 | % | ||
2017 | 101.469 | % | ||
2018 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
At any time prior to April 15, 2014, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company, provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture on the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
Prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or part of the notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of:
(1) the principal amount thereof, plus
(2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date,
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
“Make Whole Premium” means, with respect to a note at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of such note at April 15, 2015 (set forth in the table above) plus (ii) any
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required interest payments due on such note through April 15, 2015 (except for currently accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over (b) the principal amount of such note.
“Treasury Rate” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2015; provided, however, that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2015 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Company will calculate the Treasury Rate no later than the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and prior to such redemption date file with the trustee an officers’ certificate setting forth the Make Whole Premium and the Treasury Rate.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:
(1) if the notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or
(2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis.
No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of optional redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that optional redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional, except that any redemption described in the third paragraph under “—Optional Redemption” may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to completion of the related Equity Offerings.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the Holder of notes upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption.
Mandatory Redemption
Except as set forth below under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders,” neither of the Issuers is required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes or to repurchase the notes at the option of the Holders.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Change of Control
If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s
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notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the terms set forth in the indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased, to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder and the trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the Change of Control Settlement Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and described in such notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by the Company.
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the paying agent will mail to each Holder of notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes (or, if all the notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the trustee will authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Settlement Date.
The Credit Agreement provides that certain change of control events with respect to the Company may constitute a default. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to debt to which the Company or any Guarantor becomes a party may contain similar restrictions or provisions.
The provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption has been given with respect to all outstanding notes as described above under “—Optional Redemption,” unless there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.
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A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of notes to require the Company to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.
In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company purchases all of the notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
Asset Sales
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company (or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) at least 50% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the date of the indenture is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to an agreement that releases the Company or such Subsidiary from further liability therefor; and
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 90 days after the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:
(1) to repay, redeem, or repurchase Senior Debt, including the notes;
(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the properties or assets of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;
(3) to acquire a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;
(4) to make capital expenditures; or
(5) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.
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The provisions of clauses (2), (3), (4) or (5) of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding contract committing to make the acquisition or expenditure referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such contract within six months following the date such agreement is entered into.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraphs will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”
On the 361st day after the Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $50.0 million, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of notes, and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of settlement, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of settlement, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee will select the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
Certain Covenants
Restricted Payments
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (except in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company);
(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness between the Company and a Restricted
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Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company) that is subordinated to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or within one year of the Stated Maturity thereof; or
(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment and either:
(1) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) – (7) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) Available Cash as of the end of the Company’s preceding fiscal quarter, plus
(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company (including the fair market value of any Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)) after the date of the indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of the indenture is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus
(d) the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets in each case to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent such amounts have not been included in Available Cash for any period commencing on or after the date of the indenture (items (b), (c) and (d) being referred to as “Incremental Funds”), minus
(e) the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended pursuant to this clause (1) and clause (2) below; or
(2) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is less than 1.75 to 1.00, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) – (7) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (2) meaning only distributions on limited partnership interests of the Company, plus the related distribution on the general partner interest and any distributions made with respect to incentive distribution rights), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) $200.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (2)(a) during the period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment and beginning on the date of the indenture, plus
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(b) Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended pursuant to this clause (2) or clause (1) above.
The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of the indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, the substantially concurrent (a) contribution (other than from a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to the equity capital of the Company or (b) sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or acquisition occurs not more than 120 days after such sale; provided, however, that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Available Cash and Incremental Funds;
(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to any director or employee equity subscription agreement or equity option agreement or other employee benefit plan or to satisfy obligations under any Equity Interests appreciation rights or option plan or similar arrangement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year;
(6) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of unit options, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other convertible securities if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof, and any purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of unit options, warrants, incentives or rights to acquire Equity Interests; or
(7) any purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of any subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of such subordinated Indebtedness upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale after the Company shall have complied with the provisions of the indenture described under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or “—Asset Sales,” as the case may be, and repurchased all notes validly tendered for payment in connection with the Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined by an officer of the General Partner in good faith. For purposes of determining compliance with this “Restricted Payments” covenant, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in the preceding clauses (1)-(7), the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this covenant.
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any preferred securities; provided, however, that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 1.5 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”) or the issuance of any preferred securities described in clause (11) below:
(1) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) not to exceed the greater of (a) $1.1 billion or (b) the sum of $500.0 million and 25% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;
(2) the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the notes issued and sold in this offering and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued on the date of the indenture and the new notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees issued pursuant to any registration rights agreement;
(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed at any time outstanding, the greater of (a) $50.0 million or (b) 2.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;
(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund Indebtedness that was permitted by the indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clause (2) or (3) of this paragraph or this clause (5);
(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:
(a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and a Guarantor is not the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the notes, or if a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and neither the Company nor another Guarantor is the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a Restricted
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Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;
(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Acquired Debt in connection with a merger or consolidation meeting any one of the financial tests set forth in clause (4) under the caption “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”;
(9) the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance, surety and similar bonds issued for the account of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees and obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations (in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);
(11) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred securities; provided, however, that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred securities being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred securities to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred securities by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (11); and
(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount then outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $150.0 million or (b) 7.5% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence.
For purposes of determining compliance with this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (12) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant. Any Indebtedness under Credit Facilities on the date of the indenture shall be considered incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant.
The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this covenant will not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values. Further, the accounting reclassification of any obligation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Indebtedness will not be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.
Liens
The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their
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property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable, is secured on an equal and ratable basis (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be) with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens).
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) agreements as in effect on the date of the indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or the Indebtedness to which they relate, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend, distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of the indenture;
(2) the indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
(3) applicable law;
(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the terms of the indenture to be incurred;
(5) customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or in licenses or leases, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(6) Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being. refinanced;
(9) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
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(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(11) any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date of the indenture, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and is not and was not created in anticipation of such acquisitions;
(12) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(13) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was incurred if either (a) the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such Indebtedness or agreement or (b) the Company determines in good faith that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the notes; and
(14) any other agreement governing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is permitted to be incurred by the covenant described under “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”;provided, however, that such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the Indenture or the Credit Agreement as it exists on the date of the Indenture.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the survivor); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(1) either: (a) such Issuer is the survivor; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided, however, that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as the Company is not a corporation;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the notes and the indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists;
(4) in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not Finance Corp., either:
(a) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any
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such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction; or
(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will not be less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately before such transaction; and
(5) such Issuer has delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Company is permitted to reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the following procedures provided that:
(1) the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of the Company into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;
(2) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(3) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of the Company under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
(4) immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(5) such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the notes (for purposes of this clause (5) a reorganization will not be considered materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b) of the Code or any similar state or local law).
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of a Person.
Transactions with Affiliates
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or is otherwise fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from a financial point of view; and
(2) the Company delivers to the trustee (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of Affiliate Transactions complies with the preceding clause (1) of this covenant and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
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Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $100.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with the preceding clause (1) of this covenant and has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any employment agreement or arrangement, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreement or plan entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and any payments or awards pursuant thereto;
(2) transactions between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an Equity Interest in such Person;
(4) transactions permitted by the terms of (a) the Partnership Agreement with respect to accounting, treasury, information technology, insurance and other corporate services, general overhead and other administrative matters and expense reimbursements and (b) any other agreements existing on the date of the indenture, in each case as such agreements are in effect on the date of the indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less favorable to the Company than the agreement so amended or replaced;
(5) customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the General Partner, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;
(6) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Company;
(7) Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments that are permitted by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments;” and
(8) in the case of contracts for the provision of gathering, treating or compression services with respect to Hydrocarbons or activities or services reasonably related thereto, or other operational contracts, any such contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties or otherwise on terms not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would be available in a transaction with an unrelated third party.
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments” or represent Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Subsidiary so designated otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a
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Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
Additional Subsidiary Guarantees
If, after the date of the indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or any Indebtedness of the Operating Company under a Credit Facility, or the Operating Company, if not then a Guarantor, guarantees any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers under a Credit Facility or incurs any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility, then in either case that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering it to the trustee within ten Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such Indebtedness, as the case may be; provided, however, that the preceding shall not apply to Subsidiaries of the Company that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the release and other provisions of the indenture described above under “—Subsidiary Guarantees.”
Reports
Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any notes are outstanding, the Company will make publicly available on its website or file with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial and other information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines such report would not be material to investing in debt securities.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors in the notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule l44A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
Covenant Termination
If at any time (a) the rating assigned to the notes by either S&P or Moody’s is an Investment Grade Rating and (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, the Company and its Restricted
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Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” and the following provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:
• | “—Restricted Payments,” |
• | “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” |
• | “—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries,” and |
• | “—Transactions with Affiliates.” |
However, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control,” and the following provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:
• | “—Liens,” |
• | “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” (other than the financial test set forth in clause (4) of such covenant), |
• | “—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” |
• | “—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees,” and |
• | “—Reports.” |
Events of Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the notes;
(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the notes;
(3) failure by the Company to comply with any obligation to purchase or offer to purchase notes as described under the captions “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales,” “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or to comply with the provisions described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”
(4) failure by the Company for 90 days after notice to comply with the provisions described under “—Certain Covenants—Reports;”
(5) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the indenture;
(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the indenture, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation
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of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;
(7) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;
(8) except as permitted by the indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and
(9) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the indenture with respect to Finance Corp., the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company or the Operating Company, all outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default from Holders of the notes if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the notes.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes.
The Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon any officer of the General Partner or Finance Corp. becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders and No Recourse to General Partner
Neither the General Partner nor any director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers, the General Partner or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes, by accepting a note, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes and all obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Subsidiary Guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, and interest or premium, if any, on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
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(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have their obligations released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events) described under “—Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes. If the Issuers exercise either their Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any security for the notes (other than the trust) will be released.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding notes on the date of fixed maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the notes are being defeased to the date of fixed maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that:
(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(b) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
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(6) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of notes over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and
(7) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture or the notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes).
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any note payable in currency other than that stated in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes (other than as permitted in clause (7) below);
(7) (7) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);
(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the indenture; or
(9) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder of notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s properties or assets;
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(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such Holder, provided that any change to conform the indenture to this prospectus will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights;
(5) to secure the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of the covenant described above under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(6) to provide for the issuance of additional notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture;
(7) to add any additional Guarantor or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the indenture;
(8) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(9) to provide for the reorganization of the Company as any other form of entity in according with the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sales or Assets;” or
(10) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture of a successor trustee.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the notes and as otherwise specified in the indenture), when:
(1) either:
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise and the Issuers or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;
(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit), and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(3) the Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and
(4) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at fixed maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuers must deliver an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
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Concerning the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of an Issuer or any Guarantor, the indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any Holder of notes, unless such Holder has offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Governing Law
The indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the indenture and registration rights agreement without charge by writing to the Company at 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
The new notes initially will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Global Notes”).
The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be held through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC).
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in registered, certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Exchanges of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.”
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
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DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:
(1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the initial purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and
(2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes).
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
Except as described below, owners of a beneficial interest in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered the registered owners or “Holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered Holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the Issuers, the Guarantors, the trustee nor any agent of an Issuer or the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
(1) any aspect of DTC’ s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or
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(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.
DTC has advised us that its current practice, at the due date of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuers. Neither the Issuers nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Issuers and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Transfers between Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such notes to its Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of the Issuers, the trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants. or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, if:
(1) DTC (a) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and in either event the Issuers fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days; or
(2) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note for Certificated Notes.
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Beneficial interests in a Global Note may also be exchanged for Certificated Notes in the other limited circumstances permitted by the indenture, including if an affiliate of ours acquires such interests. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note.
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
The Issuers will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. The Issuers will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder’s registered address. The notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC’s same-day funds settlement system, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a Participant will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.
Registration Rights; Additional Interest
The Issuers, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the notes on the original issue date of the notes. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed that they will, subject to certain exceptions, use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) relating to an offer to exchange the old notes for the new notes (except that the new notes will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate as described below).
When the SEC declares the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective, we will offer the new notes in return for the old notes. The exchange offer will remain open for at least 20 business days after the date we mail notice of the exchange offer to noteholders. For each old note tendered to the Issuers pursuant to the exchange offer, the Issuers will issue to the Holder of such old note a new note having a principal amount equal to that of the tendered old note. Interest on each new note will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the old note tendered in exchange therefor, or, if no interest has been paid on such note, from the date of its original issue.
Under existing SEC interpretations, the new notes will be freely transferable by Holders other than our affiliates after the exchange offer without further registration under the Securities Act if the Holder of the new notes makes the representations to us set forth in the second succeeding paragraph; provided, however, that broker-dealers (“Participating Broker-Dealers”) receiving new notes in the exchange offer will have a prospectus
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delivery requirement for resales of such new notes. The SEC has taken the position that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to new notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the notes) with the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
The registration rights agreement requires the Issuers and the Guarantors to allow Participating Broker-Dealers and other Persons, if any, with similar prospectus delivery requirements to use the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in connection with the resale of such new notes for 180 days following its effectiveness date (or such shorter period during which Participating Broker-Dealers are required by law to deliver such prospectus).
A Holder of old notes (other than certain specified Holders) who wishes to exchange such old notes for new notes in the exchange offer will be required to represent that any new notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the new notes and that it is not an “affiliate” of the Issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, that it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
If applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit us to effect the exchange offer or under specified conditions the exchange offer is not available, we will file and will use our reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the notes and to keep that shelf registration statement effective for a period of one year from the Issue Date, or such shorter period that will terminate when all notes covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold. We will, in the event of such a shelf registration, provide to each noteholder copies of a prospectus, notify each noteholder when the shelf registration statement has become effective and take certain other actions to permit resales of the notes. A noteholder that sells notes under the shelf registration statement generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with those sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a noteholder (including certain indemnification obligations).
If the exchange offer is not completed on or before the date that is 365 days after the original issue date of the notes (the “Target Registration Date”), or the shelf registration statement, if required, is not declared effective within the time periods specified in the registration rights agreement, then we agree to pay each holder of notes liquidated damages in the form of additional interest in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of notes held by such holder, with respect to the first 90 days after the Target Registration Date (which rate shall be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such liquidated damages continue to accrue), in each case until the exchange offer is completed or the shelf registration statement is declared effective or is no longer required to be effective;provided, however, that at no time shall the amount of liquidated damages accruing exceed in the aggregate 0.50% per annum. Upon the completion of the exchange offer (or, if required, the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement or termination thereof in accordance with the registration rights agreement), liquidated damages described in this paragraph will cease to accrue. Such liquidated damages shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of holders of notes for any failure to effect a required registration of notes pursuant to the registration rights agreement.
If we effect the exchange offer, we will be entitled to close the exchange offer 20 business days after it commences, provided that we have accepted all notes theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer. Notes not tendered in the exchange offer will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and be subject to all the terms and conditions specified in the indenture, including transfer restrictions.
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The summary of the provisions of the registration rights agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the registration rights agreement, a copy of which is available from us upon request.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture. Reference is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person was merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control by the other Person; and provided, further, that any third Person which also beneficially owns 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a specified Person shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of either the specified Person or the other Person merely because of such common ownership in such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of (x) Credit Suisse Group or the General Electric Company, or their respective Affiliates that are not under the control of Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (solely as a result of their respective involvement in Global Infrastructure Management, LLC and the funds controlled or managed thereby), or (y) any limited partner in any fund managed by Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (solely as a result of its status as a limited partner in such fund), shall be considered Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary hereunder.
“Asset Sale” means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and/or the provisions described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves properties or assets having a fair market value of less than $25.0 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(3) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) the sale, lease or other disposition of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other properties or assets in the ordinary course of business;
(5) the disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, Hedging Obligations or other financial instruments in the ordinary course of business;
(6) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments” or a Permitted Investment;
(7) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of properties or assets for properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any cash received must be applied in accordance with the provisions described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales;”
(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien that is not prohibited by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(9) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;
(10) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; and
(11) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property.
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net rental payments” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty, such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.
“Available Cash” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the date of the indenture.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have correlative meanings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Beneficial Owner of 50% or less of the Voting Stock of any entity that owns the General Partner will not be deemed to Beneficially Own more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner by reason of such ownership.
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“Board of Directors” means:
(1) with respect to Finance Corp., its board of directors;
(2) with respect to the Company, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any authorized committee thereof; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or its general partner, as applicable, serving a similar function.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the trustee.
“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or another place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect as of the date of the indenture.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $100.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and
(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.
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“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets (including Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Qualifying Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days of the consummation of such transaction;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Company; or
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days thereof.
Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no “person”, other than one or more Qualifying Owners, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Commission” or “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
(1) an amount equal to any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(4) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment and other non-cash charges or expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation and amortization, impairment and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(5) unrealized non-cash losses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(6) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus
(7) extraordinary items of gain increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(1) the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
(2) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members;
(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;
(4) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including, without limitation those resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815 will be excluded; and
(5) any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity will be excluded.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after deducting the following amounts: (a) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and (b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.
“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any Person, the total of the amounts shown on such Person’s consolidated balance sheet, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of such Person’s most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as the sum of:
(1) the par or stated value of all such Person’s outstanding Capital Stock, plus
(2) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock, plus
(3) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.
“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2009, among the Operating Company, the Company, the subsidiary guarantor parties thereto, the lenders party thereto and Wells
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Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time.
“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or other agreements, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
“Default“ means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for cash on a primary basis by the Company after the date of the indenture.
“Existing Indebtedness” means the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement which is considered incurred under the first paragraph under the covenant entitled “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” and other than intercompany Indebtedness) in existence on the date of the indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:
(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used in a Permitted Business), and including in each case any related financing transactions (including repayment of
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Indebtedness) during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, including any Consolidated Cash Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of the Company (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission related thereto);
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date; and
(4) interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be received during the applicable four-quarter period from cash or Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or Cash Equivalents exist on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations; plus
(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred securities of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (1) that is organized or incorporated outside the United States or any territory thereof and (2) that has 50% or more of its consolidated assets located outside the United States or any territory thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.
“General Partner” means Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Company.
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The term “guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness. When used as a verb, “guarantee” has a correlative meaning.
“Guarantors” means each of:
(1) the Operating Company and the other Persons executing the indenture as initial Guarantors; and
(2) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;
and their respective successors and assigns.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in or to otherwise manage exposure to interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and
(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in or to otherwise manage exposure to interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a note is registered.
“Hydrocarbons” means crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of bankers’ acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;
(6) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(7) representing any Hedging Obligations,
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if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than the item referred to in clause (5), letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
(2) in the case of any Hedging Obligation, the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such date; and
(3) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding (1) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”
“Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes any Investment.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement. In no event will a right of first refusal be deemed to constitute a Lien.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:
(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale,
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(2) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements,
(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale, and
(4) any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) is the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except as contemplated by clause (9) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
For purposes of determining compliance with the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” above, in the event that any Non-Recourse Debt of any of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
“Obligations” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.
“Operating Company” means Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors.
“Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of August 3, 2010, as in effect on the date of the indenture and as such may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Permitted Business” means either (1) gathering, transporting, treating, processing, compressing, marketing, distributing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto including entering into Hedging Obligations to support these businesses, or (2) any other business that generates gross income that constitutes “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Code.
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“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or in any Joint Venture, provided that:
(1) either (a) at the time of such Investment and immediately thereafter, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” above or (b) such Investment does not exceed the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds (as defined in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments”) not previously expended at the time of making such Investment;
(2) if such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture that is recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include, without limitation, all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law or pursuant to any guarantee, including, without limitation, any “claw-back,” “make-well” or “keep-well” arrangement) could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” and
(3) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s or Joint Venture’s activities are not outside the scope of the Permitted Business.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including through purchases of notes or other Indebtedness);
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from:
(a) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales;” or
(b) pursuant to clause (7) of the items deemed not to be Asset Sales under the definition of “Asset Sale;”
(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer, or as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(7) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant;
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(8) Permitted Business Investments;
(9) Investments owned by any Person at the time such Person merges with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or is acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided such Investments (a) are not incurred in contemplation of such merger or acquisition and (b) are, in the good faith determination of the Company, incidental to such merger or acquisition, and in each case renewals or extensions thereof in amounts not greater than the amount of such Investment; and
(10) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at the time outstanding, do not exceed the greater of $100.0 million or 5.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of such Investment.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(1) Liens securing any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility permitted to be incurred under the indenture;
(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets (other than improvements thereon, accessions thereto or proceeds thereof) other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(5) any interest or title of a lessor to the property subject to a Capital Lease Obligation or operating lease;
(6) Liens on any property or asset acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a “Purchase Money Lien”), which (a) are in favor of the seller of such property or assets, in favor of the Person developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or property, or in favor of the Person that provided the funding for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property, (b) are created within 360 days after the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement, (c) secure the purchase price or development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property in an amount up to the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement of such asset or property, and (d) are limited to the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof);
(7) Liens existing on the date of the indenture;
(8) Liens to secure the performance of tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(9) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;
(10) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities or other facilities that arise by operation of law;
(11) Liens arising under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farmout agreements, division orders, contracts for sale, transportation or exchange of crude
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oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are customary in the Permitted Business;
(12) Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by the covenant “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”
(13) Liens securing Obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be;
(14) Liens securing any Indebtedness equally and ratably with all Obligations due under the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a contractual covenant that limits Liens in a manner substantially similar to the covenant described above under “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(15) Liens to secure Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(16) Liens securing Indebtedness that does not exceed at any one time outstanding 2.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness; and
(17) any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien permitted by clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that (a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are encumbered thereby.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is not incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Guarantor if the Company or a Guarantor is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
Notwithstanding the preceding, any Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to the covenant “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” shall be subject only to the refinancing provision in the definition of Credit Facilities and not pursuant to the requirements set forth in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Qualifying Owners” means Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Midstream Ventures, L.L.C., Global Infrastructure Partners-A, L.P., Global Infrastructure Partners-B, L.P., Global Infrastructure
Partners-C, L.P. and any other investment fund managed or controlled by Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (collectively, “GIP”), and in each case their respective Affiliates that, in the case of GIP only, are organized primarily for making, or otherwise having as their primary activity holding or exercising control over, equity or debt investments by GIP.
“Rating Category” means:
(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and
(2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).
“Rating Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the notes by either Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories). In determining whether the rating of the notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories, namely + or - for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decline either from BB+ to BB or BB- to B+ will constitute a decrease of one gradation.
“Reporting Default” means a Default described in clause (4) under “—Events of Default and Remedies.”
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
“S&P” refers to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Senior Debt” means
(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;
(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of the indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and
(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:
(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the indenture.
For the avoidance of doubt, “Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
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“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of the indenture.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner or managing member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there are more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee by a Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under the indenture and on the notes.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp. or the Operating Company) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the General Partner as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) except to the extent permitted in clause 2(b) of the definition of Permitted Business Investments, has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt owing to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will
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thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” the Company will be in default of such covenant.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
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Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. and CHKM Finance Corp. issued $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022, which we refer to as the old 2022 notes. The new 2022 notes will be pari passu with, and vote on any matter submitted to noteholders with, the old 2022 notes. The new 2022 notes have the same financial terms and covenants as the old 2022 notes. In this description we sometimes refer to the old 2022 notes and the new 2022 notes together as the “notes.” The new 2022 notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding old 2022 notes which they replace.
The old 2022 notes were, and the new 2022 notes will be, issued under an indenture among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The terms of the notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description under the subheading “—Certain Definitions.” In this description, the term “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we” refers only to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. and not to any of its subsidiaries, the term “Finance Corp.” refers to CHKM Finance Corp. and the term “Issuers” refers to the Company and Finance Corp.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture and the registration rights agreement relating to the 2022 notes. It does not restate those agreements in their entirety. We urge you to read the indenture and the registration rights agreement because they, and not this description, define the rights of Holders of the notes. Copies of the indenture and the registration rights agreement have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and are available to you as set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The registered Holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders will have rights under the indenture. See “—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form—Depositary Procedures.”
Brief Description of the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees
The Notes
Like the old 2022 notes, the new 2022 notes:
• | will be general unsecured obligations of the Issuers; |
• | will be non-recourse to our General Partner and its owners; |
• | will be equal in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Debt of either of the Issuers; |
• | will be effectively junior to any secured debt of the Issuers, including the Company’s guarantee of the Credit Agreement; |
• | will be senior to any future subordinated debt of the Issuers; and |
• | will be unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior unsecured basis. |
The Subsidiary Guarantees
The notes are currently guaranteed by the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., which we call the “Operating Company” in this description, and by all of the Company’s other existing Subsidiaries other than Finance Corp.
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Each guarantee of the new 2022 notes, like each guarantee of the old 2022 notes:
• | will be a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor; |
• | will be equal in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Debt of that Guarantor; |
• | will be effectively junior to any secured debt of the Guarantors, including under the Credit Agreement; and |
• | will be senior to any future subordinated debt of the Guarantors. |
Furthermore, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees,” in the future one or more of our newly created or acquired subsidiaries may not guarantee the notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us.
As of the date of the indenture, all of our Subsidiaries will be “Restricted Subsidiaries.” However, under the circumstances described below under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” we will be permitted to designate certain of our Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the indenture. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes.
The Company has no independent assets or operations. The Company’s operations are conducted by its subsidiaries through its operating company subsidiary, Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. Each of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. and the Company’s other subsidiaries is a Guarantor, other than Finance Corp., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company whose sole purpose is to act as co-issuer of the notes. Each Guarantor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company or any Guarantor to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan. None of the assets of the Company or any Guarantor represent restricted net assets pursuant to Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Issuers have previously issued and sold old 2022 notes in an aggregate principal amount of $750.0 million. The Issuers may issue additional 2022 notes from time to time after the exchange offers, subject to the covenant described below under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.” The 2022 notes and any additional 2022 notes subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this “Description of New 2022 Notes” section, reference to the notes includes the old 2022 notes, the new 2022 notes and any additional 2022 notes actually issued. The Issuers will issue new 2022 notes in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will mature on July 15, 2022.
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 6.125% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2012. The Issuers will make each interest payment to the Holders of record on January 1 and July 1 immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuers, the Issuers will pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on notes will
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be made at the office or agency of the paying agent and registrar within the City and State of New York unless the Issuers elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.
Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar. The Issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the notes, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of notes. No service charge will be imposed by the Issuers, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
Subsidiary Guarantees
Currently, the Operating Company and all of our other Subsidiaries, excluding Finance Corp., guarantee the notes on a senior unsecured basis. In the future, other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company will be required to guarantee the notes under the circumstances described under “—Certain Covenants—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.” These Subsidiary Guarantees are joint and several obligations of the Guarantors. The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See “Risk Factors—The guarantees of the notes could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may try to subordinate or void the guarantees.”
A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(2) either:
(a) the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under the notes, the indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee on terms set forth in the indenture; or
(b) such sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture.
The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:
(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture;
(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the “Asset Sale” provisions of the indenture and the Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition;
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(3) if the Company designates that Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture;
(4) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as described below under the caption “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or upon satisfaction and discharge of the indenture as described below under the caption “—Satisfaction and Discharge;”
(5) in the case of any Guarantor other than the Operating Company, at such time as such Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or the Operating Company under a Credit Facility; or
(6) in the case of the Operating Company, at such time as the Operating Company ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers under a Credit Facility, provided that it is then no longer an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under a Credit Facility.
Optional Redemption
Except as provided below and in the final paragraph under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control,” the notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to January 15, 2017.
On and after January 15, 2017, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on January 15 of the years indicated below:
Year | Percentage | |||
2017 | 103.063 | % | ||
2018 | 102.042 | % | ||
2019 | 101.021 | % | ||
2020 and thereafter | 100.000 | % |
At any time prior to January 15, 2015, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of one or more completed Equity Offerings by the Company, provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes issued under the indenture on the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries);
(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering; and
(3) the net proceeds of each such public or private equity offering are not otherwise used, directly or indirectly (by credit, reference or otherwise), towards the redemption of any other outstanding debt securities of an Issuer or Guarantor, including the 2021 Senior Notes (as that term is defined in the indenture).
Prior to January 15, 2017, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem all or part of the notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of:
(1) the principal amount thereof, plus
(2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date,
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plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
“Make Whole Premium” means, with respect to a note at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of such note at January 15, 2017 (set forth in the table above) plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such note through January 15, 2017 (except for currently accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over (b) the principal amount of such note.
“Treasury Rate” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to January 15, 2017; provided, however, that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to January 15, 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Company will calculate the Treasury Rate no later than the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and prior to such redemption date file with the trustee an officers’ certificate setting forth the Make Whole Premium and the Treasury Rate.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:
(1) if the notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or
(2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis.
No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of optional redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that optional redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional, except that any redemption described in the third paragraph under “—Optional Redemption” may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to completion of the related Equity Offerings.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the Holder of notes upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption.
Mandatory Redemption
Except as set forth below under “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders,” neither of the Issuers is required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes or to repurchase the notes at the option of the Holders.
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Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Change of Control
If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the terms set forth in the indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased, to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder and the trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the Change of Control Settlement Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and described in such notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by the Company.
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the paying agent will mail to each Holder of notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes (or, if all the notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the trustee will authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Settlement Date.
The Credit Agreement provides that certain change of control events with respect to the Company may constitute a default. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to debt to which the Company or any Guarantor becomes a party may contain similar restrictions or provisions.
The provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
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The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption has been given with respect to all outstanding notes as described above under “—Optional Redemption,” unless there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.
A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of notes to require the Company to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.
If Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company purchases all of the notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
Asset Sales
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company (or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) at least 50% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the date of the indenture is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to an agreement that releases the Company or such Subsidiary from further liability therefor; and
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 90 days after the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:
(1) to repay, redeem, or repurchase Senior Debt, including the notes;
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(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the properties or assets of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;
(3) to acquire a majority of the Voting Stock of a Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business;
(4) to make capital expenditures; or
(5) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.
The provisions of clauses (2), (3), (4) or (5) of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding contract committing to make the acquisition or expenditure referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such contract within six months following the date such agreement is entered into.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraphs will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”
On the 361st day after the Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $50.0 million, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of notes, and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of settlement, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of settlement, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and otherpari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee will select the notes and such otherpari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
Certain Covenants
Restricted Payments
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
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(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (except in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company);
(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company) that is subordinated to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or within one year of the Stated Maturity thereof; or
(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment and either:
(1) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) – (7) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) Available Cash as of the end of the Company’s preceding fiscal quarter, plus
(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company (including the fair market value of any Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)) after the Prior Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Prior Issue Date or from the issue or sale after the Prior Issue Date of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Prior Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus
(d) the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets in each case to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent such amounts have not been included in Available Cash for any period commencing on or after the Prior Issue Date (items (b), (c) and (d) being referred to as “Incremental Funds”), minus
(e) the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended pursuant to this clause (1) and clause (2) below; or
(2) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is less than 1.75 to 1.00, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2)—(7) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is
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made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (2) meaning only distributions on limited partnership interests of the Company, plus the related distribution on the general partner interest and any distributions made with respect to incentive distribution rights), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) $200.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (2)(a) during the period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment and beginning on the Prior Issue Date, plus
(b) Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended pursuant to this clause (2) or clause (1) above.
The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of the indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, the substantially concurrent (a) contribution (other than from a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to the equity capital of the Company or (b) sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or acquisition occurs not more than 120 days after such sale; provided, however, that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Available Cash and Incremental Funds;
(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to any director or employee equity subscription agreement or equity option agreement or other employee benefit plan or to satisfy obligations under any Equity Interests appreciation rights or option plan or similar arrangement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year;
(6) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of unit options, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other convertible securities if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof, and any purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of unit options, warrants, incentives or rights to acquire Equity Interests; or
(7) any purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of any subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of such subordinated Indebtedness upon a Change of Control or an Asset Sale after the Company shall have complied with the provisions of the indenture described under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or “—Asset Sales,” as the case may be, and repurchased all notes validly tendered for payment in connection with the Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such
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Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined by an officer of the General Partner in good faith. For purposes of determining compliance with this “Restricted Payments” covenant, if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in the preceding clauses (1)-(7), the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this covenant.
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any preferred securities; provided, however, that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 1.5 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”) or the issuance of any preferred securities described in clause (11) below:
(1) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) not to exceed the greater of (a) $1.25 billion or (b) the sum of $500.0 million and 25% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;
(2) the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the notes issued and sold in this offering and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued on the date of the indenture and the new notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees issued pursuant to any registration rights agreement;
(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed at any time outstanding, the greater of (a) $50.0 million or (b) 2.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence;
(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund Indebtedness that was permitted by the indenture to be incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant or clause (2) or (3) of this paragraph or this clause (5);
(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:
(a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and a Guarantor is not the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with
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respect to the notes, or if a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and neither the Company nor another Guarantor is the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;
(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Acquired Debt in connection with a merger or consolidation meeting any one of the financial tests set forth in clause (4) under the caption “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets”;
(9) the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance, surety and similar bonds issued for the account of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees and obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations (in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);
(11) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred securities; provided, however, that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred securities being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred securities to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred securities by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (11); and
(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount then outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $150.0 million or (b) 7.5% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence.
For purposes of determining compliance with this “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (12) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant. Any Indebtedness under Credit Facilities on the date of the indenture shall be considered incurred under the first paragraph of this covenant.
The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this covenant will not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values. Further, the accounting reclassification of any obligation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Indebtedness will not be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.
Liens
The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable, is secured on an equal and ratable basis (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be) with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens).
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) agreements as in effect on the date of the indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or the Indebtedness to which they relate, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend, distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of the indenture;
(2) the 2021 Senior Notes;
(3) the indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
(4) applicable law;
(5) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the terms of the indenture to be incurred;
(6) customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or in licenses or leases, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
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(7) Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(8) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(9) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being. refinanced;
(10) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
(11) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(12) any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date of the indenture, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and is not and was not created in anticipation of such acquisitions;
(13) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(14) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was incurred if either (a) the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such Indebtedness or agreement or (b) the Company determines in good faith that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the notes; and
(15) any other agreement governing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is permitted to be incurred by the covenant described under “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; provided, however, that such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the Indenture or the Credit Agreement as it exists on the date of the Indenture.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the survivor); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(1) either: (a) such Issuer is the survivor; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided, however, that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as the Company is not a corporation;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the notes and the indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
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(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists;
(4) in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not Finance Corp., either:
(a) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately before such transaction; or
(5) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made will not be less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately before such transaction; and
(6) such Issuer has delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Company is permitted to reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the following procedures provided that:
(1) the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of the Company into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;
(2) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(3) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of the Company under the notes, the indenture and the registration rights agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
(4) immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(5) such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the notes (for purposes of this clause (5) a reorganization will not be considered materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b) of the Code or any similar state or local law).
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of a Person.
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Transactions with Affiliates
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or is otherwise fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from a financial point of view; and
(2) the Company delivers to the trustee (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of Affiliate Transactions complies with the preceding clause (1) of this covenant and (b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $100.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with the preceding clause (1) of this covenant and has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any employment agreement or arrangement, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreement or plan entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and any payments or awards pursuant thereto;
(2) transactions between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an Equity Interest in such Person;
(4) transactions permitted by the terms of (a) the Partnership Agreement with respect to accounting, treasury, information technology, insurance and other corporate services, general overhead and other administrative matters and expense reimbursements and (b) any other agreements existing on the date of the indenture, in each case as such agreements are in effect on the date of the indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less favorable to the Company than the agreement so amended or replaced;
(5) customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the General Partner, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;
(6) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to Affiliates of the Company;
(7) Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments that are permitted by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments;” and
(8) in the case of contracts for the provision of gathering, treating or compression services with respect to Hydrocarbons or activities or services reasonably related thereto, or other operational contracts, any such contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties or otherwise on terms not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would be available in a transaction with an unrelated third party.
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Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Restricted Payments” or represent Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Subsidiary so designated otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the General Partner may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described above under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
Additional Subsidiary Guarantees
If, after the date of the indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or any Indebtedness of the Operating Company under a Credit Facility, or the Operating Company, if not then a Guarantor, guarantees any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers under a Credit Facility or incurs any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility, then in either case that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering it to the trustee within ten Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such Indebtedness, as the case may be; provided, however, that the preceding shall not apply to Subsidiaries of the Company that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the release and other provisions of the indenture described above under “—Subsidiary Guarantees.”
Reports
Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any notes are outstanding, the Company will make publicly available on its website or file with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial and other information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines such report would not be material to investing in debt securities.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and
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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors in the notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule l44A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
Covenant Termination
If at any time (a) the rating assigned to the notes by either S&P or Moody’s is an Investment Grade Rating and (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” and the following provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:
• | “—Restricted Payments,” |
• | “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” |
• | “—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries,” and |
• | “—Transactions with Affiliates.” |
However, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control,” and the following provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants”:
• | “—Liens,” |
• | “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” (other than the financial test set forth in clause (4) of such covenant), |
• | “—Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,” |
• | “—Additional Subsidiary Guarantees,” and |
• | “—Reports.” |
Events of Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the notes;
(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the notes;
(3) failure by the Company to comply with any obligation to purchase or offer to purchase notes as described under the captions “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales,” “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” or to comply with the provisions described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;”
(4) failure by the Company for 90 days after notice to comply with the provisions described under “—Certain Covenants—Reports;”
(5) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the indenture;
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(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the indenture, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;
(7) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;
(8) except as permitted by the indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and
(9) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the indenture with respect to Finance Corp., the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company or the Operating Company, all outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default from Holders of the notes if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the notes.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, interest on, or premium, if any, on the notes.
The Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon any officer of the General Partner or Finance Corp. becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
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No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders and No Recourse to General Partner
Neither the General Partner nor any director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers, the General Partner or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes, by accepting a note, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes and all obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Subsidiary Guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, and interest or premium, if any, on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have their obligations released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events) described under “—Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes. If the Issuers exercise either their Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any security for the notes (other than the trust) will be released.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding notes on the date of fixed maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the notes are being defeased to the date of fixed maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that:
(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(b) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
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in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of notes over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and
(7) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture or the notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes).
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any note payable in currency other than that stated in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes (other than as permitted in clause (7) below);
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(7) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);
(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the indenture; or
(9) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder of notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s properties or assets;
(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such Holder, provided that any change to conform the indenture to this prospectus will not be deemed to adversely affect such legal rights;
(5) to secure the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of the covenant described above under the subheading “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(6) to provide for the issuance of additional notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture;
(7) to add any additional Guarantor or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the indenture;
(8) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(9) to provide for the reorganization of the Company as any other form of entity in according with the second paragraph under “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sales or Assets;” or
(10) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture of a successor trustee.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the notes and as otherwise specified in the indenture), when:
(1) either:
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise and the Issuers or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;
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(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit), and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(3) the Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and
(4) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at fixed maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuers must deliver an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Concerning the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of an Issuer or any Guarantor, the indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any Holder of notes, unless such Holder has offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Governing Law
The indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the indenture and registration rights agreement without charge by writing to the Company at 900 N.W. 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
The new notes initially will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Global Notes”).
The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be held through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC).
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Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in registered, certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Exchanges of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.”
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the initial purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:
(1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the initial purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and
(2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes).
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.
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Except as described below, owners of a beneficial interest in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be considered the registered owners or “Holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered Holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither the Issuers, the Guarantors, the trustee nor any agent of an Issuer or the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
(1) any aspect of DTC’ s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or
(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants.
DTC has advised us that its current practice, at the due date of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuers. Neither the Issuers nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and the Issuers and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Transfers between Participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes, and to distribute such notes to its Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation
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to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of the Issuers, the trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants. or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, if:
(1) DTC (a) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and in either event the Issuers fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days; or
(2) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Note for Certificated Notes.
Beneficial interests in a Global Note may also be exchanged for Certificated Notes in the other limited circumstances permitted by the indenture, including if an affiliate of ours acquires such interests. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note.
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
The Issuers will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. The Issuers will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder’s registered address. The notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC’s same-day funds settlement system, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a Participant will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.
Registration Rights; Additional Interest
The Issuers, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the notes on the original issue date of the notes. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors have agreed that they will, subject to certain exceptions, use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer
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Registration Statement”) relating to an offer to exchange the old notes for the new notes (except that the new notes will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate as described below).
When the SEC declares the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective, we will offer the new notes in return for the old notes. The exchange offer will remain open for at least 20 business days after the date we mail notice of the exchange offer to noteholders. For each old note tendered to the Issuers pursuant to the exchange offer, the Issuers will issue to the Holder of such old note a new note having a principal amount equal to that of the tendered old note. Interest on each new note will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the old note tendered in exchange therefor, or, if no interest has been paid on such note, from the date of its original issue.
Under existing SEC interpretations, the new notes will be freely transferable by Holders other than our affiliates after the exchange offer without further registration under the Securities Act if the Holder of the new notes makes the representations to us set forth in the second succeeding paragraph; provided, however, that broker-dealers (“Participating Broker-Dealers”) receiving new notes in the exchange offer will have a prospectus delivery requirement for resales of such new notes. The SEC has taken the position that Participating Broker-Dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to new notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the notes) with the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
The registration rights agreement requires the Issuers and the Guarantors to allow Participating Broker-Dealers and other Persons, if any, with similar prospectus delivery requirements to use the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in connection with the resale of such new notes for 180 days following its effectiveness date (or such shorter period during which Participating Broker-Dealers are required by law to deliver such prospectus).
A Holder of old notes (other than certain specified Holders) who wishes to exchange such old notes for new notes in the exchange offer will be required to represent that any new notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the new notes and that it is not an “affiliate” of the Issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, that it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
If applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit us to effect the exchange offer or under specified conditions the exchange offer is not available, we will file and will use our reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the notes and to keep that shelf registration statement effective for a period of one year from the Issue Date, or such shorter period that will terminate when all notes covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold. We will, in the event of such a shelf registration, provide to each noteholder copies of a prospectus, notify each noteholder when the shelf registration statement has become effective and take certain other actions to permit resales of the notes. A noteholder that sells notes under the shelf registration statement generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with those sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a noteholder (including certain indemnification obligations).
If the exchange offer is not completed on or before the date that is 365 days after the original issue date of the notes (the “Target Registration Date”), or the shelf registration statement, if required, is not declared effective within the time periods specified in the registration rights agreement, then we agree to pay each holder of notes liquidated damages in the form of additional interest in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of notes held by such holder, with respect to the first 90 days after the Target Registration Date (which
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rate shall be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such liquidated damages continue to accrue), in each case until the exchange offer is completed or the shelf registration statement is declared effective or is no longer required to be effective; provided, however, that at no time shall the amount of liquidated damages accruing exceed in the aggregate 0.50% per annum. Upon the completion of the exchange offer (or, if required, the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement or termination thereof in accordance with the registration rights agreement), liquidated damages described in this paragraph will cease to accrue. Such liquidated damages shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of holders of notes for any failure to effect a required registration of notes pursuant to the registration rights agreement.
If we effect the exchange offer, we will be entitled to close the exchange offer 20 business days after it commences, provided that we have accepted all notes theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer. Notes not tendered in the exchange offer will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and be subject to all the terms and conditions specified in the indenture, including transfer restrictions.
The summary of the provisions of the registration rights agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the registration rights agreement, a copy of which is available from us upon request.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture. Reference is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
“2021 Senior Notes” means the Issuers’ 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021, which term shall include any Exchange Notes (as defined in the Indenture) dated as of April 19, 2011 among the Issuers, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person was merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control by the other Person; and provided, further, that any third Person which also beneficially owns 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a specified Person shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of either the specified Person or the other Person merely because of such common ownership in such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of (x) Credit Suisse Group or the General Electric Company, or their respective Affiliates that are not under the control of Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (solely as a result of their respective involvement in Global Infrastructure Management, LLC and the funds controlled or managed thereby), or (y) any limited partner in any fund managed by Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (solely as a result of its status as a limited partner in such fund), shall be considered Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary hereunder.
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“Asset Sale” means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the indenture described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and/or the provisions described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves properties or assets having a fair market value of less than $25.0 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) the sale, lease or other disposition of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other properties or assets in the ordinary course of business;
(5) the disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, Hedging Obligations or other financial instruments in the ordinary course of business;
(6) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments” or a Permitted Investment;
(7) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of properties or assets for properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any cash received must be applied in accordance with the provisions described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales;”
(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien that is not prohibited by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(9) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;
(10) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; and
(11) the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property.
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net rental payments” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water
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rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty, such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.
“Available Cash” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the date of the indenture.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have correlative meanings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Beneficial Owner of 50% or less of the Voting Stock of any entity that owns the General Partner will not be deemed to Beneficially Own more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner by reason of such ownership
“Board of Directors” means:
(1) with respect to Finance Corp., its board of directors;
(2) with respect to the Company, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any authorized committee thereof; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or its general partner, as applicable, serving a similar function.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the trustee.
“Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or another place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect as of the date of the indenture.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) United States dollars;
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(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Facilities or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $100.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and
(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets (including Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Qualifying Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days of the consummation of such transaction;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Company; or
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like which occurrence is followed by a Rating Decline within 90 days thereof.
Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no “person”, other than one or more Qualifying Owners, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Commission” or“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
(1) an amount equal to any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(4) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment and other non-cash charges or expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation and amortization, impairment and other non-cash charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(5) unrealized non-cash losses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(6) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus
(7) extraordinary items of gain increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(1) the net income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
(2) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members;
(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;
(4) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including, without limitation those resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815 will be excluded; and
(5) any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity will be excluded.
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“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after deducting the following amounts: (a) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and (b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.
“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any Person, the total of the amounts shown on such Person’s consolidated balance sheet, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of such Person’s most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as the sum of:
(1) the par or stated value of all such Person’s outstanding Capital Stock, plus
(2) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock, plus
(3) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.
“Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2011, among the Operating Company, the Company, the subsidiary guarantor parties thereto, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time.
“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or other agreements, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for cash on a primary basis by the Company after the date of the indenture.
“Existing Indebtedness” means the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement which is considered incurred under
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the first paragraph under the covenant entitled “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” and other than intercompany Indebtedness) in existence on the date of the indenture, including the 2021 Senior Notes (excluding any additional notes issued under the Indenture dated as of April 19, 2011 among the Issuers, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee), until such amounts are repaid.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:
(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used in a Permitted Business), and including in each case any related financing transactions (including repayment of Indebtedness) during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, including any Consolidated Cash Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of the Company (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission related thereto);
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date; and
(4) interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be received during the applicable four-quarter period from cash or Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or Cash Equivalents exist on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations; plus
(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
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(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred securities of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (1) that is organized or incorporated outside the United States or any territory thereof and (2) that has 50% or more of its consolidated assets located outside the United States or any territory thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.
“General Partner” means Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Company.
The term“guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness. When used as a verb, “guarantee” has a correlative meaning.
“Guarantors” means each of:
(1) the Operating Company and the other Persons executing the indenture as initial Guarantors; and
(2) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;
and their respective successors and assigns.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in or to otherwise manage exposure to interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and
(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in or to otherwise manage exposure to interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a note is registered.
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“Hydrocarbons” means crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of bankers’ acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;
(6) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(7) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than the item referred to in clause (5), letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
(2) in the case of any Hedging Obligation, the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such date; and
(3) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding (1) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.”
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“Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes any Investment.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement. In no event will a right of first refusal be deemed to constitute a Lien.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:
(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale,
(2) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements,
(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale, and
(4) any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) is the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except as contemplated by clause (9) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
For purposes of determining compliance with the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” above, in the event that any Non-Recourse Debt of any of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
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“Obligations” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.
“Operating Company” means Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors.
“Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of August 3, 2010, as in effect on the date of the indenture and as such may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Permitted Business” means either (1) gathering, transporting, treating, processing, compressing, marketing, distributing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto including entering into Hedging Obligations to support these businesses, or (2) any other business that generates gross income that constitutes “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Code.
“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or in any Joint Venture, provided that:
(1) either (a) at the time of such Investment and immediately thereafter, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” above or (b) such Investment does not exceed the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds (as defined in the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments”) not previously expended at the time of making such Investment;
(2) if such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture that is recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include, without limitation, all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law or pursuant to any guarantee, including, without limitation, any “claw-back,” “make-well” or “keep-well” arrangement) could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” and
(3) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s or Joint Venture’s activities are not outside the scope of the Permitted Business.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including through purchases of notes or other Indebtedness);
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
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(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from:
(a) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales;” or
(b) pursuant to clause (7) of the items deemed not to be Asset Sales under the definition of “Asset Sale;”
(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer, or as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(7) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under the “Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” covenant;
(8) Permitted Business Investments;
(9) Investments owned by any Person at the time such Person merges with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or is acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided such Investments (a) are not incurred in contemplation of such merger or acquisition and (b) are, in the good faith determination of the Company, incidental to such merger or acquisition, and in each case renewals or extensions thereof in amounts not greater than the amount of such Investment; and
(10) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at the time outstanding, do not exceed the greater of $100.0 million or 5.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of such Investment.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(1) Liens securing any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility permitted to be incurred under the indenture;
(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets (other than improvements thereon, accessions thereto or proceeds thereof) other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(5) any interest or title of a lessor to the property subject to a Capital Lease Obligation or operating lease;
(6) Liens on any property or asset acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a “Purchase Money Lien”), which (a) are in favor of the seller of such property or assets, in favor of the Person developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or property, or in favor of the Person that provided the funding for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or
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improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property, (b) are created within 360 days after the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement, (c) secure the purchase price or development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property in an amount up to the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement of such asset or property, and (d) are limited to the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof);
(7) Liens existing on the date of the indenture;
(8) Liens to secure the performance of tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(9) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;
(10) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities or other facilities that arise by operation of law;
(11) Liens arising under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farmout agreements, division orders, contracts for sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are customary in the Permitted Business;
(12) Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by the covenant “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;”
(13) Liens securing Obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be;
(14) Liens securing any Indebtedness equally and ratably with all Obligations due under the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a contractual covenant that limits Liens in a manner substantially similar to the covenant described above under “—Certain Covenants—Liens;”
(15) Liens to secure Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(16) Liens securing Indebtedness that does not exceed at any one time outstanding 2.0% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness; and
(17) any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien permitted by clauses (1) through (15) above; provided that (a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are encumbered thereby.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);
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(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is not incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Guarantor if the Company or a Guarantor is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
Notwithstanding the preceding, any Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to the covenant“Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” shall be subject only to the refinancing provision in the definition of Credit Facilities and not pursuant to the requirements set forth in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Prior Issue Date” means April 19, 2011, the date of the original issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes.
“Qualifying Owners” means Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Midstream Ventures, L.L.C., Global Infrastructure Partners-A, L.P., Global Infrastructure Partners-B, L.P., Global Infrastructure Partners-C, L.P. and any other investment fund managed or controlled by Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (collectively, “GIP”), and in each case their respective Affiliates that, in the case of GIP only, are organized primarily for making, or otherwise having as their primary activity holding or exercising control over, equity or debt investments by GIP.
“Rating Category” means:
(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and
(2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).
“Rating Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the notes by either Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories). In determining whether the rating of the notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories, namely + or—for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decline either from BB+ to BB or BB- to B+ will constitute a decrease of one gradation.
“Reporting Default” means a Default described in clause (4) under “—Events of Default and Remedies.”
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in the indenture to the contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
“S&P” refers to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
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“Senior Debt” means
(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;
(2) the 2021 Senior Notes;
(3) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred under the terms of the indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and
(4) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:
(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the indenture.
For the avoidance of doubt,“Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of the indenture.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner or managing member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there are more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee by a Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under the indenture and on the notes.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp. or the Operating Company) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the General Partner as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) except to the extent permitted in clause 2(b) of the definition of Permitted Business Investments, has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt owing to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Restricted Payments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” the Company will be in default of such covenant.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
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We are not using any underwriters for the exchange offers. We are also bearing the expenses of the exchange.
This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of any new notes received in exchange for old notes acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities. Each such broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for such old notes pursuant to the exchange offers must acknowledge in the letter of transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. We have agreed that for a period of up to one year after the registration statement is declared effective, we will use our commercially reasonable best efforts to keep the registration statement effective and will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any such broker-dealer that requests copies of this prospectus in the letter of transmittal for use in connection with any such resale.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers or any other persons. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offers may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions:
• | in the over-the-counter market; |
• | in negotiated transactions; |
• | through the writing of options on the new notes; or |
• | a combination of such methods of resale. |
The new notes may be sold from time to time:
• | at market prices prevailing at the time of resale; |
• | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
• | at negotiated prices. |
Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new notes.
Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers in exchange for old notes acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities and any broker-dealer that participates in a distribution of such new notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on these resales of new notes and any commissions or concessions received by any person may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to our performance of, or compliance with, the registration rights agreements and will indemnify the holders of the old notes, including any broker-dealers, and certain parties related to these holders, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, as set forth in the registration rights agreements.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The exchange of old notes for new notes should not be treated as a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes because the terms of the new notes should not be considered to differ materially in kind or in extent from the terms of the old notes. Rather, the new notes received by a holder of old notes should be treated as a continuation of such holder’s investment in the old notes. As a result, there should be no material United States federal income tax consequences to holders exchanging old notes for new notes. This conclusion is based upon the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and relevant authorities, as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed above.
TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. TREASURY CIRCULAR 230, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE DISCUSSION HEREIN IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT ADDRESS ALL TAX CONSIDERATIONS THAT MAY BE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU. THE DISCUSSION WAS WRITTEN ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT MAY BE USED IN PROMOTING, MARKETING, AND RECOMMENDING (WITHIN THE MEANING OF CIRCULAR 230) THE TRANSACTIONS DISCUSSED HEREIN. THE DISCUSSION WAS NOT WRITTEN, AND IS NOT INTENDED, TO BE USED BY ANY PERSON, AND CANNOT BE USED BY ANY PERSON, FOR PURPOSES OF AVOIDING PENALTIES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE NOTES BASED ON THE INVESTOR’S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
If you are considering an exchange of your old notes for the new notes, you should consult your own tax advisor(s) concerning the tax consequences arising under state, local, or foreign laws of such an exchange.
The validity of the new notes and the guarantees thereof will be passed upon for us by Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Houston, Texas. In giving such opinion, such firm will rely as to matters of Oklahoma law upon the opinion of Commercial Law Group, P.C., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports (which each contain an explanatory paragraph stating the Partnership and the Predecessor earned substantially all of its revenues and has other significant transactions with affiliated entities) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.
CHKM Finance Corp.
PROSPECTUS
, 2012
Offers to Exchange
up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
new 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021 registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
for any and all of our outstanding
5.875% Senior Notes due 2021,
and
up to $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
new 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
for any and all of our outstanding
6.125% Senior Notes due 2022
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.
Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement—Indemnification” discloses that we will generally indemnify officers, directors and affiliates of our general partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar events and is incorporated herein by reference.
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:
• | our general partner; |
• | any departing general partner; |
• | any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner; |
• | any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points; |
• | any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner, any departing general partner, an affiliate of our general partner or an affiliate of any departing general partners; and |
• | any person designated by our general partner. |
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless our general partner otherwise agrees, it will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or lend funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Additionally, pursuant to the omnibus agreement, we will be entitled to indemnification for certain liabilities, and we will be required to indemnify Chesapeake Midstream Ventures for certain liabilities. Please see Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Affiliates—Omnibus Agreement—Indemnification” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a description of our obligation to indemnify Chesapeake Midstream Ventures with respect to services provided pursuant to the omnibus agreement.
With respect to services provided pursuant to the services agreement, we have agreed to indemnify certain affiliates of Chesapeake from and against certain potential claims, losses and expenses attributable to (1) breaches by us of the services agreement and (2) claims by third parties relating to (a) certain acts or omissions of such affiliates of Chesapeake in connection with their performance of the services outlined in the services agreement, or (b) our gross negligence or willful misconduct. Please see Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Affiliates—Services Agreement—Indemnification” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a description of our obligation to indemnify certain affiliates of Chesapeake with respect to services provided pursuant to the services agreement.
We have agreed to indemnify Chesapeake and certain affiliates of Chesapeake against any loss or expense with respect to certain surety bonds issued for our benefit and for which we are obligated to provide indemnity insurance to Chesapeake. We may also be required to indemnify Chesapeake in connection with future surety
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bond issuances made for our benefit. Please see Item 13 “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Affiliates—Surety Bond Indemnification Agreement” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a description of our obligation to indemnify Chesapeake with respect to our surety bond indemnification agreement.
Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C.
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware LLC Act”) provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a Delaware 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 agreement of Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., our general partner, provides that our general partner shall 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, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of our general partner, or is or was serving at the request of our general partner as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (an “indemnitee”), against expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by the Delaware LLC Act, upon such determination having been made as to such indemnitee’s good faith and conduct as is required by the Delaware LLC Act. The limited liability company agreement of our general partner also provides that expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by our general partner in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding to the extent, if any, authorized by our general partner’s sole member in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware LLC Act, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified by our general partner. Officers, directors and affiliates of our general partner are also indemnified by us, as described above.
Our general partner has purchased insurance covering its officers and directors against liabilities asserted and expenses incurred in connection with their activities as officers and directors of our general partner or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
CHKM Finance Corp.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation 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, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (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 the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation 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 him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also provides that a corporation 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 or
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suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware 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 of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.
To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith; provided that indemnification provided for by Section 145 or granted pursuant thereto shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; and a corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.
In addition, Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits Delaware corporations to include a provision in their certificates of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provisions shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or (iv) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Certificate of Incorporation of CHKM Finance Corp. currently provides that each director shall not be personally liable to such corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Article 14 of the Bylaws of CHKM Finance Corp. sets forth the extent to which the directors and officers of CHKM Finance Corp. may be indemnified by CHKM Finance Corp. against liabilities which they may incur while serving in such capacity. Article 14 generally provides that CHKM Finance Corp. shall indemnify the directors and officers of CHKM Finance Corp. who are or were a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of CHKM Finance Corp. or 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 in connection therewith, provided that the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law was met and, provided further, that such indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of CHKM Finance Corp. to procure a judgment in its favor. Subject to the procedures for indemnification of directors and officers set forth in the Bylaws, the indemnification of the directors and officers of CHKM Finance Corp. provided for therein is in all other respects substantially similar to that provided for in Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Any such indemnification shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of CHKM Finance Corp. and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.
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Chesapeake Energy Corporation
Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act generally provides that an Oklahoma corporation has the power to indemnify (a) 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, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, 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 the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation 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 the action, suit, or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (b) any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which the person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which the 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, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Article VIII of Chesapeake’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that Chesapeake shall 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 whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of Chesapeake) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake or is or was serving at the request of Chesapeake as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, 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 interest of Chesapeake and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. In addition, Article VI of Chesapeake’s amended and restated bylaws generally provides that Chesapeake shall indemnify any person who is a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake or is or was serving at the request of Chesapeake as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other enterprise to the fullest extent permitted by Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act.
Chesapeake has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its officers and directors, including Messrs. J. Mike Stice, Aubrey K. McClendon and Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr., which generally provide that Chesapeake shall indemnify its officers and directors in connection with serving in their capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of Chesapeake or an affiliate or serving at the request of Chesapeake as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, Chesapeake provides liability insurance for each of its directors and executive officers.
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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description | |||
4.1 | — | Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2011, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on April 20, 2011). | ||
4.2 | — | Form of 5.875% Senior Note due 2021 (contained in the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1). | ||
4.3 | — | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2011, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., the guarantors named therein and the representatives of the initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on April 20, 2011). | ||
4.4 | — | Indenture, dated as of January 11, 2012, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on January 11, 2012). | ||
4.5 | — | Form of 6.125% Senior Note due 2022 (contained in the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4). | ||
4.6 | — | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2012, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., the guarantors named therein and the representatives of the initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on January 11, 2012). | ||
5.1* | — | Validity Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP. | ||
5.2* | — | Opinion of Commercial Law Group, P.C. | ||
12.1 | — | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 001-34831), filed on February 29, 2012). | ||
23.1 | — | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | ||
23.2* | — | Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | ||
23.3* | — | Consent of Commercial Law Group, P.C. (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2). | ||
24.1* | — | Powers of attorney. | ||
25.1* | — | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. | ||
99.1* | — | Form of Letter of Transmittal. | ||
99.2* | — | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. | ||
99.3* | — | Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and other Nominees. | ||
99.4* | — | Form of Broker’s Letter to Clients. |
* | Previously filed |
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(b) Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because they are either not required, are not applicable or because equivalent information has been incorporated herein by reference or included in the financial statements, the notes thereto or elsewhere herein.
(c) There are no reports, opinions or appraisals included herein.
Item 22. Undertakings
1. | (a) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes: |
(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 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
(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; |
(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 purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; 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 first use, 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 date of first use. |
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, |
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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. |
2. Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.
3. 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 Act 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4. Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
5. Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. | ||
By: | Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., its general partner | |
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
* David A. Daberko | Chairman of the Board and Director | |
* Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. | Director | |
* Philip L. Frederickson | Director | |
* Matthew C. Harris | Director | |
* Suedeen G. Kelly | Director | |
* Aubrey K. McClendon | Director | |
William A. Woodburn | Director |
* By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice, as Attorney-in-Fact |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
CHKM Finance Corp. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |||
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
* Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. | Director | |||
* Matthew C. Harris | Director | |||
* Aubrey K. McClendon | Director | |||
William A. Woodburn | Director | |||
* By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice, as Attorney-in-Fact |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., the sole manager of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Bluestem Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Bluestem Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Chesapeake Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Chesapeake Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Oklahoma Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Oklahoma Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Texas Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Texas Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Magnolia Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Magnolia Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Ponder Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Ponder Midstream Gas Services, L.L.C. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on March 6, 2012.
Appalachia Midstream Services, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Mike Stice | |
Name: | J. Mike Stice | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 6, 2012.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ David C. Shiels David C. Shiels | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ J. Mike Stice J. Mike Stice | Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake MLP Operating, L.L.C., the sole manager of Appalachia Midstream Services, L.L.C. |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | Description | |||
4.1 | — | Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2011, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on April 20, 2011). | ||
4.2 | — | Form of 5.875% Senior Note due 2021 (contained in the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1). | ||
4.3 | — | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2011, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., the guarantors named therein and the representatives of the initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on April 20, 2011). | ||
4.4 | — | Indenture, dated as of January 11, 2012, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on January 11, 2012). | ||
4.5 | — | Form of 6.125% Senior Note due 2022 (contained in the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4). | ||
4.6 | — | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2012, by and among Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P., CHKM Finance Corp., Chesapeake Midstream GP, L.L.C., the guarantors named therein and the representatives of the initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831), filed on January 11, 2012). | ||
5.1* | — | Validity Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP. | ||
5.2* | — | Opinion of Commercial Law Group, P.C. | ||
12.1 | — | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 001-34831), filed on February 29, 2012). | ||
23.1 | — | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | ||
23.2* | — | Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | ||
23.3* | — | Consent of Commercial Law Group, P.C. (included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2). | ||
24.1* | — | Powers of attorney. | ||
25.1* | — | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. | ||
99.1* | — | Form of Letter of Transmittal. | ||
99.2* | — | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. | ||
99.3* | — | Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and other Nominees. | ||
99.4* | — | Form of Broker’s Letter to Clients. |
* | Previously filed. |