REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 14, 1996
By and Among
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION
and
CANADIAN ABRAXAS PETROLEUM LIMITED,
as Issuers
and
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION,
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.,
BANKERS TRUST INTERNATIONAL PLC
ING BARING (U.S.) SECURITIES CORPORATION,
as Initial Purchasers
11 1/2% Senior Notes due 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Definitions....................................................... 1
2. Exchange Offer.................................................... 5
3. Shelf Registration................................................ 9
4. Additional Interest............................................... 11
5. Registration Procedures........................................... 13
6. Registration Expenses............................................. 25
7. Indemnification................................................... 26
8. Rules 144 and 144A................................................ 31
9. Underwritten Registrations........................................ 31
10. Miscellaneous..................................................... 32
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements.................................. 32
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes..................... 32
(c) Amendments and Waivers...................................... 32
(d) Notices..................................................... 33
(e) Successors and Assigns...................................... 33
(f) Release of Subsidiary Guarantors............................ 34
(g) Counterparts................................................ 34
(h) Headings.................................................... 34
(i) Governing Law............................................... 34
(j) Severability................................................ 34
(k) Securities Held by the Issuers or Their
Affiliates............................................... 34
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries................................... 34
(m) Entire Agreement............................................ 35
(n) Information Supplied by the Participants.................... 35
(o) Subsidiary Guarantor a Party................................ 35
i
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of
November 14, 1996, by and among ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), and CANADIAN ABRAXAS PETROLEUM LIMITED, Canada
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Canadian Abraxas"
and, together with the Company, the "Issuers"), as issuers, and BT SECURITIES
CORPORATION, BANKERS TRUST INTERNATIONAL PLC, JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC. and ING
BARING (U.S.) SECURITIES CORPORATION, as initial purchasers (the "Initial
Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 14, 1996, by and among the Issuers and the
Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the sale by
the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of $215,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of the Issuer's 11 1/2% Senior Notes due 2004 (the "Notes"), unconditionally
guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company's future Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) (collectively, the "Subsidiary
Guarantors"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to provide the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any
subsequent holder or holders of the Notes. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the
Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4 hereof.
Advice: See Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Applicable Period: See Section 2 hereof.
Canadian Abraxas: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Company: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Effectiveness Date: With respect to any Registration Statement, the
75th day after the Filing Date with respect thereto.
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Effectiveness Period: See Section 3 hereof.
Event Date: See Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2 hereof.
Filing Date: (A) If no Registration Statement has been filed by the
Company pursuant to this Agreement, the 45th day after the Issue Date; provided,
however, that if a Shelf Notice is given within 10 days of the Filing Date, then
the Filing Date with respect to the Initial Shelf Registration shall be the 15th
calendar day after the date of the giving of such Shelf Notice; and (B) in each
other case (which may be applicable notwithstanding the consummation of the
Exchange Offer), the 30th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of November 14, 1996, by and
among the Issuers and IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY, as trustee, pursuant to
which the Notes are being issued, as the same may be amended or supplemented
from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 5(o) hereof.
Issue Date: November 6, 1996, the date of original issuance of the
Notes.
Issuers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(t) hereof.
Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof.
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Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2 hereof.
Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, joint
stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association,
firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2 hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule
434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.
Records: See Section 5(o) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon its original issuance and at all
times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof
is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and
each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect
to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC and such Note,
Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such
Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or
Exchange Notes that may be resold without restriction under state and federal
securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or (iv) such
Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, may be resold
without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers
and the Subsidiary Guarantors (if any) that covers any of the Notes, the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes filed with the SEC under the
Securities Act, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in such registration statement.
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Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144)
or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2 hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if any)
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes.
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration
in which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to
the public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC,
the Issuers shall file with the SEC, no later than the Filing Date, a
Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") on an
appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the "Exchange
Offer") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes for a like aggregate
principal amount of notes (the "Exchange Notes") of the Issuers (the guarantees,
if any, of the Subsidiary Guarantors) that are identical in all material
respects to the Notes except that the Exchange Notes (and the guarantees, if
any, of the Subsidiary Guarantors) shall contain no restrictive legend thereon.
The Exchange Offer shall comply with all
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applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other
applicable law. The Issuers shall use their respective best efforts to (x) cause
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer
open for at least 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the
date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate
the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 135th day following the date on which the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC. If,
after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is initially declared effective
by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder
is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement
of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes
of this Agreement.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be required
to represent that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in
the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of the
Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes in violation of
the provisions of the Securities Act, and that such Holder is not an affiliate
of any of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis
mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange
Notes, Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange
Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuers shall
have no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private
Exchange Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which
clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Holders, which shall contain a summary statement of
the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to the
potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by
such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"),
whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff
of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the prevailing views of the
staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also expressly
permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the
SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent permitted by
applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, all Participating
Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which
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145391.01
Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in compliance with
the Securities Act.
The Issuers shall use their respective best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable
law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes covered thereby;
provided, however, that such period shall not exceed 180 days after such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective (or such longer
period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the
"Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Holder holds
any Notes acquired by it that have, or that are reasonably likely to be
determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial
distribution, or any Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange
Offer, the Issuers upon the request of any such Holder shall simultaneously with
the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to
any such Holder, in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by any
such Holder, a like principal amount of notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") of
the Issuers that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes
and the Subsidiary Guarantors if any shall guarantee such Private Exchange
Notes. The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture
as the Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes will
accrue from (A) the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which
interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the
Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date in a period which includes the
record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such
exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest
payment date or (B) if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of
the original issuance of the Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder entitled to
participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate
letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days after the
date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if
required by applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with
an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
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145391.01
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to
the close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which
the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange, if any, the Issuers shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered and
not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private
Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes so
accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may
be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for
exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as
the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or
is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on
any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect
the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 150 days
of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in
writing to the Issuers within 60 days after the consummation of the Exchange
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Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange
Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange
that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws
(other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of any of
the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the
Issuers within 30 days after such Holder first becomes aware of such
restrictions, in the case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this
sentence, then the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee
written notice thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration
pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
3. Shelf Registration
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall file with the SEC a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuers shall use their
respective diligent best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf
Registration on or before the applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf
Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting
registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or
manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more
underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Notes to be included in the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below).
The Issuers shall use their respective best efforts to cause the
Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on
or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is three
years from the Effectiveness Date, subject to extension pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the "Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter
period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf
Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the
Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all
of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared
effective under the Securities Act; provided, however, that the Effectiveness
Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the
extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus
delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise
provided herein and shall be subject to reduction to the extent that the
applicable provisions of Rule 144 are amended or revised.
No holder of Registrable Notes may include any of its Registrable
Notes in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and
until such holder furnishes to the Issuers in writing, within 30 days after
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145391.01
receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Issuers may reasonably
request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary prospectus included therein. No holder of Registrable
Notes shall be entitled to Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4 hereof
unless and until such holder shall have provided all such reasonably requested
information. Each holder of Registrable Notes as to which any Shelf Registration
Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all
information required to be disclosed in order to make information previously
furnished to the Issuers by such Holder not materially misleading.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf
Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any
reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the
sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuers shall use
their respective best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of
such cessation of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner
to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or
file an additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering
all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers
shall use their respective best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as
practicable after such filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration
continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the
Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial
Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously
continuously effective. As used herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the
Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers shall promptly
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such
Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter
of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders
will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree, jointly
and severally, to pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes
("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the extent set forth
below (each of which shall be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the
Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the applicable
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145391.01
Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or
will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a
Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to
the Filing Date applicable thereto, then, commencing on the day after any
such Filing Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount
of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days
immediately following each such Filing Date, and such Additional Interest
rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of
each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor
the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on or
prior to the relevant Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the
Issuers have consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the
Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf
Registration is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date in respect of such Shelf Registration, then, commencing
on the day after such Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue
on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days immediately following the day after such Effectiveness Date,
and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50%
per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange Notes for all
Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 135th day after the date on which the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement relating thereto was declared effective or (B) if
applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first
90 days commencing on the (x) 151st day after such effective date, in the
case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest rate
shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each
such subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed
at any one time in the aggregate 1.50% per annum; provided, further, however,
that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement
or the applicable Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the case of
clause (i) above of this Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as
required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii) of this Section 4), or (3) upon
the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the
case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the effectiveness of the
applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in
the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in
respect of which such events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant
subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
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145391.01
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one business day
after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section
4 will be payable in cash semi-annually on each May 1 and November 1 (to the
holders of record on the April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional
Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was
applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection
with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder the Issuers
shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable Filing
Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by
Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use their respective best efforts to cause
each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective
as provided herein; provided, however, that, if (1) such filing is
pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof
is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers shall
furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a
reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including
copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all
exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least five days
prior to such filing, or such later date as is reasonable under the
circumstances). The Issuers shall not file any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes covered by
such Registration Statement, or any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any,
shall reasonably object.
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(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness
Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be; cause the related
Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by
applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
(or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities
Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act applicable to each of them with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of
any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any
such Prospectus. The Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their
respective diligent best efforts to keep a Registration Statement
effective during the Effective Period or the Applicable Period, as the
case may be, relating thereto if any of the Issuers voluntarily takes any
action that would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes
covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange
Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes
during that period unless (i) such action is required by applicable law or
(ii) such Issuers comply with the provisions of the last sentence of
Section 5(k) or the last paragraph of this Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto from
whom the Company has received written notice that it will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling
Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any,
promptly (but in any event within one day), and confirm such notice in
writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has
become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules,
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and
exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing
or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of
any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus
is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales
of the Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by Participating
Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of any of the Issuers
contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all
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material respects, (iv) of the receipt by any of the Issuers of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of
any event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming
known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or
related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that
requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such
Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of
the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi)
of any of the Issuers' determination that a post-effective amendment to a
Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use their respective
best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in
any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use their
respective best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the
earliest possible date.
(e) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 5(k),
if a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold
in connection with an underwritten offering or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, (i) promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing
underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating
Broker-Dealer or counsel for any of them reasonably request to be included
therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after either Issuer
has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or
make amendments to such Registration Statement; provided, however, that
the Issuers shall not be required to take any action pursuant to this
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Section 5(e) that would violate applicable law.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer
who so requests and to counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at
the sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of the Registration
Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested,
all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling
Holder of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any,
at the sole expense of the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or
Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by
reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to
the last paragraph of this Section 5, each of the Issuers hereby consents
to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by
each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or
agents, if any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the offering and
sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating
Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, to use their respective best efforts
to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of
Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their
respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification
(or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters
reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that where Exchange
Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are
offered other than through an underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to
cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file
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145391.01
registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this
Section 5(h); keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption
therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is
required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts or things
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers
or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement;
provided, however, that none of the Issuers shall be required to (A)
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then
so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service
of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C)
subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any
such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold,
which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in
a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable
such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such
names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may
request.
(j) Use their respective best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by
such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably
necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of
such selling Holder's business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate
in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement
and the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of
any event contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as
promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file
with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Issuers, a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to
the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes
being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom
such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any
such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
15
145391.01
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers
shall not be required to amend or supplement a Registration Statement, any
related prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference in
the event that, and for a period (a "Black Out Period") not to exceed, for
so long as this Agreement is in effect, an aggregate of 45 days if (x) an
event occurs and is continuing as a result of which a Registration
Statement, any related prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference as then amended or supplemented would, in the Issuers' good
faith judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (y) (1) the Issuers determine in good faith that the
disclosure of such event at such time would have a material adverse effect
on the business, operations or prospects of the Issuers or (2) the
disclosure otherwise relates to a material business transaction which has
not yet been publicly disclosed in any relevant jurisdiction.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with
The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the
Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable
Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting
agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities
similar to the Notes in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Issuers and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate
the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such
connection, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants
with, the underwriters with respect to the business of the Issuers and
their respective subsidiaries (including any acquired business, properties
or entity, if applicable) and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and
documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters
in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, and
confirm the same in writing if and when requested in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers; (ii) obtain the written opinions
of counsel to the Issuers and written updates thereof in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in underwritten
offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii) use their best efforts to
obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the
Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of any of the Issuers or of any business
16
145391.01
acquired by any of the Issuers for which financial statements and
financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and such
other matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters as permitted by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72;
and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall
contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the
sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7 hereof
(or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered by
such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters
or agents, if any). The above shall be done at each closing under such
underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to
sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for
inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or
each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter
participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and
any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling
Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or
underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where
normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Issuers and
their respective subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records") as shall be
reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due
diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and
employees of the Issuers and their respective subsidiaries to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with
such Registration Statement and Prospectus. Each Inspector shall agree in
writing that it will keep the Records confidential and that it will not
disclose any of the Records unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release of such Records is
ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent
jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such information is necessary or
advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in connection with
any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving
or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon,
relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or
thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records has been made
generally available to the public; provided, however, that prior notice
shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuers of the potential
disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (ii)
or (iii) of this sentence to permit the Issuers to obtain a protective
order (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such
Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect
the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent
such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in
derogation of the rights and interests of the Holder or any Inspector.
Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that information obtained by it as
a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be
used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of
the Issuers unless and until such is made generally available to the
public. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such
Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it
will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court
of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Issuers and allow the
Issuers to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the
Records deemed confidential at the Issuers' expense.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in
connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture
and the Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such
indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use their
respective best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as
may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents
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145391.01
required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so
qualified in a timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to their respective securityholders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the
Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period
(or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a
fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which
Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best
efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such
an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of
the Issuers after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which
statements shall cover said 12- month periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private
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145391.01
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the related indenture constitute
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against
the Issuers in accordance with its respective terms, subject to customary
exceptions and qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the
Issuers (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange
for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be,
the Issuers shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Notes
that such Registrable Notes are being cancelled in exchange for the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no
event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or otherwise
satisfied.
(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in
connection with any filings required to be made with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(t) Use their respective best efforts to take all other steps
reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes
and/or Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated
hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such seller
fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees
to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in
order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller
not materially misleading.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Issuers, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding
by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by
such Holder of the investment quality of the securities covered thereby and that
such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future
financial requirements of any of the Issuers, or (ii) in the event that such
reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities
Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference
to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement
filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be
required.
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145391.01
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that,
upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event
of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi)
hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to
be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until
such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until
it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by any of the Issuers that the use of
the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
amendments or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuers shall give any
such notice, each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period shall be
extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date
of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be
sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have
received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated
by Section 5(k) hereof or (y) the Advice.
6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers, jointly and
severally, whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf
Registration is filed or becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated,
including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with
the NASD in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses
of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue
Sky qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination
of the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes
are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section
5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing
expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of
prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any,
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes included in any Registration Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the
Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and reasonable
fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all of the sellers of
Registrable Notes (exclusive of any counsel retained pursuant to Section 7
hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public
accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii) hereof (including, without
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145391.01
limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters
required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities Act liability
insurance, if the Issuers desire such insurance, (vi) fees and expenses of all
other Persons retained by any of the Issuers, (viii) internal expenses of the
Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers
and employees of all of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (ix)
the expense of any annual audit, (x) the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if
applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and
distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures
and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors agree, jointly and
severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and
each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, the officers, directors, employees and agents of each such Person, and
each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a
"Participant"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments,
liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable legal
fees and other expenses actually incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if any of the Issuers shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by, arising out of
or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
the case of the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers in writing by such
Participant expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Company will
not be liable if such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in
the final Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto and any such loss,
liability, claim, or damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Participants
resulted from any action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Participant and
it is established in the related proceeding that such Participant failed to
deliver or provide a copy of the final Prospectus (as amended or supplemented)
to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
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145391.01
and hold harmless each of the Issuers, their respective directors, their
respective officers who sign the Registration Statement and each Person who
controls each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent (but on a several, and not
joint, basis) as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant,
but only with reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to
the Issuers in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
notify the Persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
Persons") in writing, and the Indemnifying Persons, upon request of the
Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the
Indemnifying Persons may reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay
the fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to such
proceeding; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying
Persons shall not relieve any of them of any obligation or liability which any
of them may have hereunder or otherwise. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified
Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i)
the Indemnifying Persons and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed
to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Persons shall have failed within a
reasonable period of time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including
any impleaded parties) include both any Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person or any affiliate thereof and representation of both parties by the same
counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between them. It is understood that, unless there exists a conflict among
Indemnified Persons, the Indemnifying Persons shall not, in connection with such
proceeding or separate but substantially similar related proceeding in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations, be liable for the fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the
Participants and such control Persons of Participants shall be designated in
writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of Registrable Notes and
Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Issuers and any such separate firm for the Issuers, their respective
directors, their respective officers and such control Persons of the Issuers
shall be designated in writing by the Issuers and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Holders.
The Indemnifying Persons shall not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such consent or if
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there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for which the
Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement,
each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Persons (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could
have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written
release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are
the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as
to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such
Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or insufficient
to hold harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under
such paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and
in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
(i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the
one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the other from the offering of
the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not
permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the
relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Issuers on the one hand and the Participants on the other shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of discounts
and commissions but before deducting expenses) of the Notes received by the
Issuers bears to the total proceeds received by such Participant from the sale
of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in each case as set
forth in the table on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum in respect of
the sale of the Notes. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or such
Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the other,
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other equitable
considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
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other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually incurred by such
Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Participant has otherwise been required to pay or has paid by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for which
an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this
Section 7 shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred. The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and the
representations and warranties of the Issuers set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person who controls a
Holder, any Issuer, their respective directors, officers, employees or agents or
any person controlling any Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons
may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rules 144 and 144A
The Issuers covenant and agree that each of them will file the
reports required to be filed by each of them under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a
timely manner in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and, if at any time any of the Issuers is not required to file such
reports, such Issuer will, upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of
Registrable Notes, make available such information necessary to permit sales
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Issuers further covenant and
agree, for so long as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding that each of them
will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably
request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to
sell Registrable Notes without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
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9. Underwritten Registrations
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration
are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. None of the Issuers has, as of the
date hereof, and none of the Issuers shall, after the date of this Agreement,
enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted
to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any of the Issuers' other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. Except as otherwise
disclosed to the Initial Purchasers, none of the Issuers has entered and none
will enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities which will
grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any
Registration Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. None of the Issuers
shall, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of (I) the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, and (II)(A)
the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that would adversely
affect the Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers
holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange
Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section
7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without
the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer
(including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to
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any Registration Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or
supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from
the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose securities are being sold pursuant
to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect,
impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may
be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture.
(ii) if to either of the Issuers or any of the Subsidiary
Guarantors, at the address as follows:
c/o Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
500 N. Loop 1604 East
Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas
Facsimile No.: (210) 490-8816
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers.
(f) Release of Subsidiary Guarantors. If any Subsidiary Guarantor
becomes a party to this Agreement and is subsequently released from its
obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms thereof then such
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Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(k) Securities Held by the Issuers or Their Affiliates. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by any of the Issuers or any of their
their respective affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or
approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand
and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives,
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parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in
interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein
and replaced hereby.
(n) Information Supplied by the Participants. The statements set
forth in the last paragraph on the front cover page and under the heading "Plan
of Distribution" in the preliminary offering memorandum and the final offering
memorandum in respect of the sale of the Notes (to the extent such statements
relate to a Participant) constitute the only information furnished by the
Participants to the Issuers for the purposes of Section 7 hereof.
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(o) Subsidiary Guarantor a Party. Immediately upon the designation
of any Subsidiary of either Issuer as a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the
Indenture), the Issuers shall cause such Subsidiary to become a party hereto as
a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Initial Purchasers a
counterpart hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORPORATION BT SECURITIES CORPORATION,
as Initial Purchaser
By: By:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
CANADIAN ABRAXAS PETROLEUM BANKERS TRUST INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED PLC,
as Initial Purchaser
By: By:
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.,
as Initial Purchaser
By:
Name:
Title:
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ING BARING (U.S.) SECURITIES
CORPORATION,
as Initial Purchaser
By:
Name:
Title:
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Each of the undersigned by its execution hereof agrees to become a
party to this Agreement as a Subsidiary Guarantor as of the date first above
written:
By:
Name:
Title:
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