EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION
OFFER TO EXCHANGE UP TO $300,000,000 OF ITS 8 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE
2011 WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
FOR AN EQUAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS OUTSTANDING 8 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTES DUE 2011 THAT WERE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 17, 2002 IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
Pursuant to the Prospectus dated , 2003
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON , 2003, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE
WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
<Table>
By Registered or Certified By Hand or Overnight Delivery: Facsimile Transmissions:
Mail: The Bank of New York (Eligible Institutions Only)
The Bank of New York Lobby Level -- Corporate Trust (212) 298-1915
Reorganization Department Window
101 Barclay Street, 7 East 101 Barclay Street To Confirm by Telephone or for
Floor New York, New York 10286 Information Call:
New York, New York 10286 Attn: Enrique Lopez Enrique Lopez
Attn: Enrique Lopez (Reorganization Dept/7 East) (212) 815-2742
</Table>
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DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER
OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning
given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) certificates
are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the
procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth under "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus and an Agent's
Message (as defined below) is not delivered. Certificates, or book-entry
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as well as this Letter
of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed,
with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set
forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer
also may be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu of this Letter of
Transmittal. The term "book-entry confirmation" means a confirmation of a book-
entry transfer of Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC. The term
"Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the
Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states
that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant,
which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be
bound by this Letter of Transmittal and that Westport Resources Corporation, a
Nevada corporation (the "Company"), may enforce this Letter of Transmittal
against such participant.
Holders (as defined below) of Old Notes whose certificates (the
"Certificates") for such Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus) or who
cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must
tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:
<Table>
<Caption>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF BLANK, PLEASE PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS OLD NOTES
OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST IF NECESSARY)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OLD NOTES TENDERED
NUMBER(S)* OF OLD NOTES (IF LESS THAN ALL)**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Need not be completed by book-entry Holders.
** Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in multiples of $1,000. All Old Notes held shall be deemed
tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column. See Instruction 4.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE
THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution
-----------------------------------------------
DTC Account Number ______________ Transaction Code Number ________________
[ ] CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
(SEE INSTRUCTION 1):
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
---------------------------------------------
Window Ticket Number (if any)
-----------------------------------------------
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
--------------------------
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
--------------------------------
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution
-----------------------------------------------
DTC Account Number ______________ Transaction Code Number ________________
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD NOTES
ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
THERETO.
Name:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
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2
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Westport Resources Corporation, a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), the above described principal amount of the
Company's 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 issued in a private offering
on December 17, 2002 (the "Old Notes") in exchange for an equivalent amount of
the Company's 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (the "Exchange Notes"),
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus dated , 2003 (as the same may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus,
constitute the "Exchange Offer").
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended
or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the
Company all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes as is being
tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in connection with the
Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Old Notes, with full power of
substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power
coupled with an interest) subject only to the right of withdrawal described in
the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Old Notes to the Company
together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the
undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Notes to be issued in exchange for such Old
Notes, (ii) present Certificates for such Old Notes for transfer, and to
transfer the Old Notes on the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the
account of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of
beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the Old
Notes tendered hereby and that, when the same is accepted for exchange, the
Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and
clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that the Old
Notes tendered hereby are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The
undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents
deemed by the Company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to
complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby,
and the undersigned will comply with its obligations under the Registration
Rights Agreement relating to the Old Notes. The undersigned has read and agrees
to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes
tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth
above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Old Notes. The
Certificate number(s) and the Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender
should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
If any tendered Old Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old Notes than are
tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or
nontendered Old Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by
book-entry transfer, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained at
DTC), without expense to the tendering Holder, promptly following the expiration
or termination of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to any one
of the procedures described in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering
Old Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions attached hereto will, upon
the Company's acceptance for exchange of such tendered Old Notes, constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes
that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may
not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
3
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
transfer of Old Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the account
indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute Certificates
representing Old Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued
to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Notes, will
be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please deliver
Exchange Notes to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's
signature.
By tendering Old Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal or
effecting delivery of an Agent's Message in lieu thereof, the undersigned hereby
represents and agrees that (i) the undersigned is not an "affiliate" of the
Company, (ii) any Exchange Notes to be received by the undersigned are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) the undersigned has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Exchange Notes to be received in
the Exchange Offer, and (iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the
undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of such Exchange Notes. The Company
may require the undersigned, as a condition to the undersigned's eligibility to
participate in the Exchange Offer, to furnish to the Company (or an agent
thereof) in writing information as to the number of "beneficial owners" within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act on behalf of whom the
undersigned holds the Old Notes to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer. If the
undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own
account in exchange for Old Notes, it represents that the Old Notes to be
exchanged for Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a
Prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a Prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The Company has agreed that, subject to the provisions of the Registration
Rights Agreement relating to the Old Notes, the Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer
(as defined below) in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in
exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such Participating
Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, for a period ending 180 days after the effective date
of the registration statement relating to the Exchange Notes (the "Effective
Date") (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described in
the Prospectus) or, if earlier, when all such Exchange Notes have been disposed
of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. In that regard, each broker-dealer who
acquired Old Notes for its own account as a result of market-making or other
trading activities (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), by tendering such Old
Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal or effecting delivery of an
Agent's Message in lieu thereof, agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the
Company of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes
any statement contained or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus untrue in
any material respect or which causes the Prospectus to omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by
reference therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the
Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Old Notes, such Participating
Broker-Dealer will suspend the sale of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Prospectus
until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such
misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented
Prospectus to the Participating Broker-Dealer or the Company has given notice
that the sale of the Exchange Notes may be resumed, as the case may be. If the
Company gives such notice to suspend the sale of the Exchange Notes, it shall
extend the 180-day period referred to above during which Participating
Broker-Dealers are entitled to use the Prospectus in connection with the resale
of Exchange Notes by the number of days during the period from and including the
date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when Participating
Broker-Dealers shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus necessary to permit resales of the Exchange Notes or to and including
the date on which the Company has given notice that the sale of Exchange Notes
may be resumed, as the case may be.
4
As a result, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the
Prospectus in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Company, or cause the
Company to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a
Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided
above or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby. All authority
herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall
survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors,
administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in
the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned, by completing the box entitled "Description of Old Notes"
above and signing this letter, will be deemed to have tendered the Old Notes as
set forth in such box.
------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SIGNATURE GUARANTEE REQUIRED --
SEE INSTRUCTION 2)
To BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Old Notes not tendered are
to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered Holder of
the Old Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.
[ ] Old Notes not tendered to:
[ ] Exchange Notes to:
Name --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Address ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SIGNATURE GUARANTEE REQUIRED --
SEE INSTRUCTION 2)
TO BE COMPLETED ONLY if Exchange Notes or Old Notes not tendered are
to be sent to someone other than the registered Holder at an address other
than that shown above.
[ ] Old Notes not tendered to:
[ ] Exchange Notes to:
Name --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Address: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
------------------------------------------------------
5
IMPORTANT
HOLDERS: SIGN HERE
(Please Complete Substitute Form W-9 herein)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature(s) of Holder(s)
Date:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Old Notes hereby tendered or on a security position
listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of corporation or
other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide
the following information and see Instruction 2 below.)
Name(s):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Print)
Capacity (Full Title):
--------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
-----------------------------------------------
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTION 2 BELOW)
Authorized Signature:
-----------------------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Please Type or Print)
Title:
-----------------------------------------------
Name of Firm:
-----------------------------------------------
6
Address:
-----------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
-----------------------------------------------
Date:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus and an Agent's
Message is not delivered. Certificates, or timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, as well as
this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by
book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent's Message in lieu
thereof. Old Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples of
$1,000.
Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior
to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery
by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Old Notes by properly
completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes" in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i)
such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined
below); (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Company, must be
received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the
Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation) representing all tendered Old Notes,
in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must
be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as
provided in "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" in the
Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery. For Old Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed
delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the
Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm or other entity identified in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an eligible guarantor institution,"
including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer,
municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer;
(iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a
participant in a Securities Transfer Association.
The method of delivery of Certificates, this Letter of Transmittal and all
other required documents is at the option and sole risk of the tendering Holder,
and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange
Agent. If delivery is by mail, then registered mail with return receipt
requested, properly insured, or overnight delivery service is recommended. In
all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.
The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders. Each tendering Holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of
such tender.
2. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:
i. this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder
(which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant
in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
the Old Notes (the "Holder")) of Old Notes tendered herewith, unless such
Holder(s) has
7
completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or
ii. such Old Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an
Eligible Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s)
on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Old Notes" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the
principal amount of Old Notes and any other required information should be
listed on a separate signed schedule that is attached to this Letter of
Transmittal.
4. Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights. Tenders of Old Notes will be
accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than all the Old Notes
evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal
amount of Old Notes which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Principal
Amount of Old Notes Tendered." In such case, new Certificate(s) for the
remainder of the Old Notes that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will
only be sent to the Holder of the Old Notes, promptly after the Expiration Date.
All Old Notes represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will
be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a withdrawal to be
effective on or prior to that time, a written or facsimile transmission of such
notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its
addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration
Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who
tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes to be withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Old Notes have been tendered)
the name of the registered Holder of the Old Notes as set forth on the
Certificate for the Old Notes, if different from that of the person who tendered
such Old Notes. If Certificates for the Old Notes have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release
of such Certificates for the Old Notes, the tendering Holder must submit the
serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Old Notes to be
withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution, except in the case of Old Notes tendered for the account
of an Eligible Institution. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the
procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes," the notice of withdrawal
must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the
withdrawal of Old Notes, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective
if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile
transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of Old Notes may not be rescinded. Old
Notes properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the
Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus
under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
The Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any
other person shall not be under any duty to give any notification of any
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification. Any Old Notes that have been tendered but that are
withdrawn will be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder
promptly after withdrawal.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsements. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s)
as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or
any change whatsoever.
If any Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
8
If any tendered Old Notes are registered in different name(s) on several
Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different
registrations of Certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Company, must
submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of
each such person's authority to so act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the
Old Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or
separate bond power(s) is required unless Exchange Notes are to be issued in the
name of a person other than the registered Holder(s). Signature(s) on such
Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered owner(s) of the Old Notes listed, the Certificates must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names
of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be
accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as
the Company or the Trustee for the Old Notes may require in accordance with the
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Notes. Signatures on such
Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
6. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. If Exchange Notes are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Certificates for Old Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if
tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above
maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.
7. Irregularities. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all
questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Old Notes, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves
the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in
proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which may, in the view
of counsel to the Company be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange
Offer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions of the
Exchange Offer" or any conditions or irregularities in any tender of Old Notes
of any particular Holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are
waived in the case of other Holders. The Company's interpretation of the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and
the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Old Notes will
be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to
such tender have been cured or waived. The Company, any affiliates or assigns of
the Company, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall not be under any duty
to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for
failure to give such notification.
8. Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions and
requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and
telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the
Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
9. 30% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form W-9. Under the U.S. Federal
income tax law, a Holder whose tendered Old Notes are accepted for exchange is
required to provide the Exchange Agent with such Holder's correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN"). The Holder's TIN may be provided on an IRS Form
W-9 or a Substitute Form W-9 as furnished below. If the Exchange Agent is not
provided with the correct TIN, payments to such Holders or other payees with
respect to Old Notes exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to
30% backup withholding. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (the
9
"IRS") may subject the Holder or other payee to penalties for failure to provide
a valid TIN or for providing false information in connection with a request for
a TIN.
The box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the
tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 2 is checked, the
Holder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will
withhold 30% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60-day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the Holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute Form W-9, the amounts retained during the 60-day period
will be remitted to the Holder and no further amounts shall be retained or
withheld from payments made to the Holder thereafter. If, however, the Holder
has not provided the Exchange Agent with its TIN within such 60-day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In addition,
30% of all payments made thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the IRS
until a correct TIN is provided.
The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of
the Old Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached to,
or endorsed on, the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are registered in more than one
name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed
"Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to report.
Certain Holders (including, among others, corporations, financial
institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to the backup
withholding and reporting requirements. Such Holders should nevertheless
complete the Substitute Form W-9 attached below, and write "EXEMPT" on the face
thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status.
Please consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which
Holders are exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax. Rather,
the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding
will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
10. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
11. No Conditional Tenders. No alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders will be accepted. All tendering Holders of Old Notes, by execution of
this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the
acceptance of Old Notes for exchange.
Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated
to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Old
Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such
notice.
12. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any Certificate(s)
representing Old Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the Holder should
promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The Holder will then be instructed as to the
steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of
Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for
replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.
10
13. Security Transfer Taxes. Holders who tender their Old Notes for
exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection
therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered Holder of the Old
Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the
exchange of Old Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of
any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other
persons) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering Holder.
11
<Table>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE PART 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR
FORM W-9 TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND TIN: ------------------------------
CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING Social Security Number or
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY BELOW. Employer Identification
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION PART 2 -- TIN Applied For [ ]
NUMBER ("TIN")
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) the number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to
be issued to me); and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I
have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding
as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (b) the IRS has notified me that I am no
longer subject to backup withholding; and
(3) I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you
are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting of interest or dividends on your tax return.
However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding, you received another
notification from the IRS that you were no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
(Also see instructions in the enclosed Guidelines.)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature ---------------------------------------- Date -------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 30% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU ARE AWAITING (OR WILL SOON
APPLY FOR) A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application
to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail
or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not
provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of the exchange, thirty
percent (30%) of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld
until I provide a number.
<Table>
------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------
Signature Date
</Table>
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE
PAYER.--Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
<Table>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER OF--
- ------------------------------------------------------------
1. An individual's account. The individual
2. Two or more individuals (joint The actual owner of
account) the account or, if
combined funds, any
one of the
individuals(1)
3. Husband and wife (joint account) The actual owner of
the account or, if
joint funds, either
person(1)
4. Custodian account of a minor The minor(2)
(Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
5. Adult and minor (joint account) The adult or, if
the minor is the
only contributor,
the minor(1)
6. Account in the name of guardian or The ward, minor, or
committee for a designated ward, incompetent
minor, or incompetent person person(3)
7. a The usual revocable savings The grantor-
trust account (grantor is also trustee(1)
trustee)
b So-called trust account that is The actual owner(1)
not a legal or valid trust under
State law
8. Sole proprietorship account The owner(4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
GIVE THE EMPLOYER
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT: IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER OF--
- ------------------------------------------------------------
9. A valid trust, estate, or pension The legal entity
trust (Do not furnish the
identifying number
of the personal
representative or
trustee unless the
legal entity itself
is not designated
in the account
title.)(5)
10. Corporate account The corporation
11. Religious, charitable, or The organization
educational organization account
12. Partnership account held in the The partnership
name of the business
13. Association, club, or other tax- The organization
exempt organization
14. A broker or registered nominee The broker or
nominee
15. Account with the Department of The public entity
Agriculture in the name of a
public entity (such as a State or
local government, school,
district, or prison) that receives
agricultural program payments
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
person's social security number.
(4) Show the name of the owner.
(5) List first and circled the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
trust.
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
considered to be that of the first name listed.
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
PAGE 2
OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the
following:
- A corporation.
- A financial institution.
- An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement account, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7).
- The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any
subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- An international organization or any agency, or instrumentality thereof.
- A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or a
possession of the U.S.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
- An exempt charitable remainder trust under section 664, or a non-exempt
trust described in section 4947.
- An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
- A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
which have at least one nonresident partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
- Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be
subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid in
the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not provided your
correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-in-interest dividends
under section 852).
- Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Mortgage interest paid to the payer.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends,
that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details see section 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A,
and 6050N and their regulations.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE.--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend,
interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers
who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your return. Payers must be given
the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers
must generally withhold 30% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other
payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a
payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
PENALTIES
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a
penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Falsifying certifications or
affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or
imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX
CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE