EXHIBIT 3.7(b)
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
EAP ENERGY SERVICES, L.P.
This Limited Partnership Agreement ("Agreement") of EAP Energy
Services, L.P. is made and entered into effective as of the 5th day of March,
1999 (the "Effective Date"), by and between EAP Energy, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Energy"), as the general partner, and EAP Properties, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Properties"), as the limited partner. The general partner
and the limited partner are sometimes referred to herein individually as a
"Partner" and collectively as the "Partners".
WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein
and for other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy, receipt, and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged the Partners hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE
Section 1.01. Formation of Limited Partnership. The Partners hereby agree
to become partners and to form a limited partnership (the "Partnership")
pursuant to Article 6132a-l Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann., known as the Texas
Revised Limited Partnership Act (the "Act"), which shall be governed by, and
operated pursuant to, the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Energy shall
be the general partner of the Partnership and is hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the "General Partner". Properties shall be the limited partner and is
hereinafter sometimes referred to individually as the "Limited Partner".
Section 1.02. Name. The name of the Partnership shall be EAP Energy
Services, L.P. All business and affairs of the Partnership shall be conducted
solely under, and all Partnership Assets (as that term is defined in Section
1.04) shall be held solely in, such name unless otherwise determined by the
General Partner.
Section 1.03. Effective Date and Term. The Partnership shall be in effect
for a term beginning on the Effective Date and shall continue under this
Agreement (as amended from time to time) until dissolved upon the occurrence of
an event that causes the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement (unless reconstituted as provided herein), and
thereafter to the extent provided by applicable law, until wound up and
terminated as provided herein.
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Section 1.04. Purposes and Scope of Business. The business and purposes of
the Partnership are to conduct any and all lawful activities and to engage in
any and all lawful businesses or investments which are permitted under the Act,
including, without limitation, to provide oil and gas marketing and sales
services. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Partnership
shall have the power and authority to do all such other acts and things as may
be necessary, desirable, expedient, convenient for, or incidental to, the
furtherance and accomplishment of the foregoing objectives and purposes and for
the protection and benefit of the Partnership. The assets of the Partnership,
whether now or hereafter owned, are sometimes referred to as the "Partnership
Assets".
Section 1.05. Documents. The General Partner, or anyone designated by the
General Partner, is hereby authorized to execute a certificate of limited
partnership of the Partnership ("Certificate of Limited Partnership") in
accordance with the Act and cause the same to be filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Texas in accordance with the provisions of
the Act. The Partnership shall promptly execute and duly file with the proper
offices in each state in which the Partnership may conduct the activities
hereinafter authorized, one or more certificates as required by the laws of each
such state in order that the Partnership may lawfully conduct the business,
purposes, and activities herein authorized in each such state, and the
Partnership shall take any other action or measures necessary in such state or
states for the Partnership to conduct such activities.
Section 1.06. Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business
of the Partnership shall be 201 Main Street, Suite 1455, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
or at such other place or places as may be approved by the General Partner. The
General Partner shall be responsible for maintaining at the Partnership's
principal place of business those records required by the Act to be maintained
there.
Section 1.07. Registered Agent and Office. The Registered Agent (as
defined in the Act) for the Partnership shall be Bruce B. Selkirk, III. The
Registered Office (as defined in the Act) of the Partnership shall be 201 Main
Street, Suite 1455, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Section 1.08. Certain Definitions.
(a) "Accounting Date" shall mean the close of business on (i) the date
any Additional Capital Contributions are made by the Partners in a manner other
than in accordance with their then existing Percentage Interests and (ii) the
last day of each fiscal year of the Partnership.
(b) "Accounting Period" shall mean the period at the opening of business
on the day following any Accounting Date (or the Effective Date of this
Agreement, in the case of the first Accounting Period) and continuing until the
close of business on the next succeeding Accounting Date.
ARTICLE II
OPERATIONS
Section 2.01. Management of Partnership. The right to manage, control, and
conduct the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be vested solely in
the General Partner. The Limited
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Partners shall not take part in the management of the affairs of the Partnership
and under no circumstances may any Limited Partner control the Partnership
business or sign for or bind the Partnership. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the General Partner shall have the exclusive authority to act for and
on behalf of the Partnership, and no third party shall ever be required to
inquire into the authority of the General Partner to take such action on behalf
of the Partnership.
Section 2.02. Expenses. The Partnership shall pay or reimburse the General
Partner and the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in Section 2.04) for all direct,
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it with respect to its duties under Sections
2.01 2.04 to the Partnership, including, without limitation, accounting
expenses, insurance premiums attributable directly to the Partnership, legal
fees, and other direct costs associated with the formation and operation of the
Partnership.
Section 2.03. Exculpations; Indemnities
(a) NEITHER THE PARTNERS, THE TAX MATTERS PARTNER, THEIR AFFILIATES NOR
ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, MEMBERS,
MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS (INDIVIDUALLY A "COVERED PERSON") SHALL BE LIABLE
TO THE PARTNERSHIP, ANY PARTNER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY ACT OR OMISSION
TAKEN OR SUFFERED BY SUCH COVERED PERSON IN GOOD FAITH AND IN THE BELIEF THAT
SUCH ACT OR OMISSION IS IN OR IS NOT OPPOSED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE
PARTNERSHIP, PROVIDED, THAT SUCH ACT OR OMISSION IS NOT FRAUD, WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT, OR A KNOWING MATERIAL VIOLATION OF THIS AGREEMENT BY SUCH COVERED
PERSON. NO COVERED PERSON SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE PARTNERSHIP, ANY PARTNER, OR
ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN BY ANY OTHER PARTNER, NOR SHALL ANY
COVERED PERSON BE LIABLE TO THE PARTNERSHIP, ANY OTHER PARTNER, OR ANY OTHER
PERSON FOR ANY ACTION OF ANY EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF THE COVERED PERSON, PROVIDED,
SUCH ACTION IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE
COVERED PERSON SEEKING EXCULPATION SATISFIES THE PARAMETERS OF THE PRECEDING
SENTENCE.
(b) TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED OR PERMITTED UNDER ANY PROVISION OF
APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE ACT, THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL
INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH PARTNER, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR
RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, MEMBERS, MANAGERS,
EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS (INDIVIDUALLY AN "INDEMNITEE") TO THE EXTENT OF THE
PARTNERSHIP ASSETS, FROM AND AGAINST ANY LOSSES, EXPENSES, JUDGMENTS, FINES,
SETTLEMENTS, AND DAMAGES INCURRED BY THE PARTNERSHIP OR SUCH INDEMNITEE ARISING
OUT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON ACTS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENT ACTS)
PERFORMED OR OMITTED TO BE PERFORMED BY THE PARTNERSHIP OR SUCH INDEMNITEE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS OF THE PARTNERSHIP, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
COSTS, EXPENSES, AND ATTORNEYS' FEES EXPENDED IN THE SETTLEMENT OR DEFENSE OF
ANY SUCH CLAIM. ALL DECISIONS OF THE PARTNERSHIP CONCERNING ANY ACTION ALLOWED
OR PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW CONCERNING THE INDEMNITY OF ANY PERSON OR
ENTITY BY THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL BE MADE AS DETERMINED BY THE GENERAL PARTNER.
Section 2.04. Tax Matters Partner. The General Partner shall act as the
"Tax Matters Partner" for federal income tax purposes. The Tax Matters Partner
shall mean the Partner (a) designated as the "tax matters partner" within the
meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law,
collectively the "Code") and (b) whose responsibilities as Tax Matters Partner
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include, where appropriate, commencing on behalf of the Partnership certain
judicial proceedings regarding Partnership federal income tax items and
informing all Partners of any administrative or judicial proceeding involving
federal income taxes. In exercising its responsibilities as Tax Matters Partner,
the General Partner shall have the final decision making authority with respect
to all federal income tax matters involving the Partnership. Any direct
out-of-pocket expense incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in carrying out its
responsibilities and duties under this Agreement shall be allocated to and
charged to the Partnership as an expense of the Partnership for which the Tax
Matters Partner shall be reimbursed.
ARTICLE III
FINANCING
Section 3.01. Capital Contributions.
(a) On the Effective Date, each Partner agrees to contribute (the
"Initial Capital Contributions") to the capital of the Partnership the amount in
cash set forth on such Partner's signature page attached hereto.
(b) If at any time the General Partner determines, in its sole
discretion, that additional funds are needed for (i) any direct out-of-pocket
costs and expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with the formation,
financing, and operation of the Partnership or (ii) the normal day-to-day
business and affairs of the Partnership or for any other Partnership purpose as
determined in the sole discretion of the General Partner, then from time to time
the General Partner may make a written call for such funds ("Call"). Within
thirty (30) days after the General Partner gives written notice of the Call, the
Partners shall be obligated to make additional capital contributions to the
Partnership, pro rata in accordance with their Percentage Interests (with each
such contribution being referred to as an "Additional Capital Contribution"). If
any Partner does not to deliver (the "Non-Contributing Partner") to the General
Partner for the use of the Partnership his or its pro rata portion of any Call
(with such portion not being contributed being referred to herein as the
"Default Amount") within the time prescribed above, each of the other Partners
shall have the right, but not the obligation, without further notice, to advance
for his or its own capital account all or a portion of the Default Amount (with
any Partner contributing a portion of the Default Amount being referred to as a
"Contributing Partner"); provided, however, that if more than one Partner
desires to be a Contributing Partner and to advance a portion of the Default
Amount, each such Contributing Partner shall only advance his or its pro rata
portion of the Default Amount as among all Contributing Partners.
Section 3.02. Capital Accounts. The amount of a Partner's capital account
("Capital Account") in the Partnership shall be determined in accordance with
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), including by:
(a) crediting to such account (i) all contributions to the Partnership
made by or on behalf of such Partner or his or its predecessor in interest at
their fair market value and (ii) all gains and income of the Partnership
allocated to such Partner or his or its predecessor in interest; and
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(b) debiting to such account (i) all distributions from the Partnership
made to or on behalf of such Partner or his or its predecessor in interest,
including the fair market value of any property distributed (less any
liabilities assumed by the Partner or to which any property may be subject) and
(ii) all losses and deductions of the Partnership allocated to such Partner or
his or its predecessor in interest.
Section 3.03. Limited Liability of Limited Partners. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the liability of each
Limited Partner for any of the debts, losses, or obligations of the Partnership
shall be limited to the amount of such Limited Partner's capital contributions
pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof. Accordingly, no Limited Partner shall be
obligated to provide additional capital to the Partnership or its creditors by
way of contribution, loan, or otherwise beyond the amount of the capital
contributions required of such Limited Partner pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
Except as provided in the Act, no Limited Partner shall have any personal
liability whatsoever, whether to the Partnership or any third party, for the
debts of the Partnership or any of its losses beyond the amount of the Limited
Partner's capital contributions.
Section 3.04. Treatment of Capital Contributions. Except as provided in
this Agreement to the contrary, no Partner shall be entitled to interest on his
or its contributions to the capital of the Partnership nor shall any Partner be
entitled to demand the return of all or any part of such contributions to the
capital of the Partnership.
Section 3.05. Benefits of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in this Article III, expressed
or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give to any creditor of the
Partnership or to any creditor of any Partner or any other person or entity
whatsoever, other than the Partners and the Partnership, any legal or equitable
right, remedy, or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any covenant,
condition, or provision herein contained, and such provisions are and shall be
held to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Partners and the
Partnership.
ARTICLE IV
ACCOUNTING, ALLOCATIONS, AND CURRENT DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.01. Percentage Interests. Except as adjusted pursuant to Section
4.02, for purposes of allocating profits and losses in accordance with Section
4.03, and for purposes of distributions under Section 4.08, each Partner shall
have the percentage interest in the Partnership (collectively the "Percentage
Interests" and individually, a "Percentage Interest") set forth on such
Partner's signature page attached hereto.
Section 4.02. Adjustments to Percentage Interests. As of each date that
Additional Capital Contribution are made by the Partners pursuant to Section
3.01(b) in a ratio other than in accordance with their then existing Percentage
Interests, then the Percentage Interests of the Partners shall be immediately
adjusted such that the Percentage Interest of each Partner equals a fraction,
expressed as a percentage, in which the numerator equals the aggregate capital
contributions made by such Partner to such date, and the denominator equals the
aggregate capital contributions made to the Partnership by the Partners to such
date. If the Percentage
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Interests of any Partners are adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.02, no Partner
shall have the right to modify, rectify, or undo such adjustments thereafter,
and such adjustments shall be made without the need for any further act or
writing to effect any such adjustment. Each Partner hereby appoints the General
Partner as his or its duly authorized agent and attorney-in-fact for purposes of
preparing and executing any amendments to this Agreement necessary or desirable
to reflect any adjustment of Percentage Interests under this Section 4.02. The
rights granted to any Partner under this Section 4.02 shall be in addition to
any Partner's rights and remedy pursuant to this Agreement, at law, or in equity
with respect to any Additional Capital Contribution made other than in
accordance with then existing Percentage Interests.
Section 4.03. Tax Status, Reports, and Allocations.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, each of the Partners hereby recognizes that the Partnership will be
classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, will
be subject to all provisions of Subchapter K of the Code; provided, however,
that the filing of United States Partnership Returns of Income shall not be
construed to extend the purposes of the Partnership or expand the obligations or
liabilities of the Partners.
(b) The General Partner or, at its discretion, an accountant
("Accountant") selected by the General Partner shall prepare or cause to be
prepared all tax returns and statements, if any, that must be filed on behalf of
the Partnership with any taxing authority and shall timely file such returns or
statements.
(c) For accounting and federal and state (if any) income tax purposes,
all income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits of the Partnership for each
Accounting Period shall be allocated among the Partners pro rata in accordance
with their respective Percentage Interests.
(d) The tax allocations made in accordance with Sections 4.03(e), 4.04,
4.05(b), and 4.05(c) (collectively, the "Regulatory Allocations") shall be taken
into account in allocating, for tax purposes, items of income, gain, loss,
deduction, and credit among the Partners so that, to the extent possible, the
net amount, when taken together, of such allocations of income, gain, loss,
deduction, and credit and the Regulatory Allocations made to each Partner shall
be equal to the amount that would have been allocated to each such Partner if
the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.
(e) Any loss or deductions attributable to any Partnership recourse
liability (as defined in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(i)) ("Recourse Debt")
must be specially allocated to any Partner who bears the economic risk of loss
with respect to the Recourse Debt to which such loss or deductions are
attributable. If any allocations are made to any Partner pursuant to the
foregoing sentence, then after any allocations required by Section 4.05 hereof
have been made but prior to allocations pursuant to Section 4.03(b), income
shall be allocated to such Partner until on a cumulative basis an aggregate
amount of income equal to such cumulative deductions and losses has been
allocated to each such Partner.
Section 4.04. Certain Fair Market Value/Tax Basis Differences. In
accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the applicable IRS Regulations
thereunder, income, gain, loss,
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deduction, and tax depreciation with respect to any property contributed to the
capital of the Partnership which had a fair market value different than its
adjusted tax basis as of the date of contribution, shall, solely for income tax
purposes, be allocated among the Partners so as to take into account such
variation between the adjusted tax basis of such property to the Partnership and
the fair market value of such property as of the date of contribution.
Section 4.05. Minimum Gain and Income Offsets.
(a) Definitions.
(i) "Partner Minimum Gain" shall be "partner nonrecourse debt
minimum gain," as defined in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2) and
determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(3) and
1.704-2(k).
(ii) "Partner Nonrecourse Debt" has the meaning set forth in
Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(4) and 1.704-2(i).
(iii) "Partner Nonrecourse Deduction" has the meaning set forth in
Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).
(iv) "Partnership Minimum Gain" has the meaning set forth in
Regulations Section 1.704-2(d) and shall be determined in accordance with
the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-2(k).
(v) "Regulations" means the temporary and permanent Income Tax
Regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended
from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding
Regulations).
(b) Minimum Gain.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, if the Partnership Minimum Gain on the last day of any fiscal
year is less than the Partnership Minimum Gain on the last day of the
immediately preceding fiscal year, then (before any other allocation of
Partnership items for such year under this Agreement, other than as
provided in paragraph (ii) below) there shall be specially allocated to
each Partner items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if
necessary, subsequent fiscal years) in an amount equal to such Partner's
share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain (determined in
accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)). The items to be so
allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections
1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i) and (iii). This Section 4.05(b)(i) is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in
Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(ii) Subsequent to any allocations under Section 4.05(b)(i) above,
other than allocations of gain from the disposition of property subject to
Partner Nonrecourse Debt, if Partner Minimum Gain on the last day of any
fiscal year is less than the Partner Minimum Gain on the last day of the
immediately preceding fiscal year, then, except as provided herein, each
Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and
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gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent fiscal years) in an
amount equal to that Partner's share, if any, (determined in accordance
with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4)) of the net decrease in Partner
Minimum Gain (such net decrease to be determined in a manner consistent
with the provisions of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(g)(3)).
The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with the
provisions of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii) and
(iii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such special allocations of
income and gain shall be made to the extent that the net decrease in
Partner Minimum Gain described above arises because the liability ceases
to be Partner Nonrecourse Debt due to a conversion, refinancing, or other
change in the debt instrument that causes it to become partially or wholly
a nonrecourse liability within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.752-1(a)(2). This Section 4.05(b)(ii) is intended to comply with the
chargeback and other provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and
shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) Qualified Income Offset. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, if during any fiscal year any Partner (i) is allocated pursuant to
Code Section 706(d) or Regulations Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii) any Net Loss, loss,
items of loss, deductions, or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures, (ii) is
distributed any cash or property from the Partnership and such distributions
exceed offsetting increases to such Partner's Capital Account that are
reasonably expected to occur during such year, or (iii) receives any other
adjustment, allocation, or distribution described in Regulations Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), or (6) and, as a result of such adjustment,
allocation, or distribution, such Partner has a Qualified Income Offset Amount
(as hereinafter defined), then items of income and gain (including gross income)
for such fiscal year or other period (and, if necessary, subsequent fiscal
years) shall (prior to any allocation pursuant to Section 4.03 hereof) be
allocated to such Partner in an amount equal to his Qualified Income Offset
Amount; provided, however, that any allocation of income or gain shall be
required under this sentence only if and to the extent that such Partner would
have a Qualified Income Offset Amount after all other allocations provided for
in this Agreement have been tentatively made as if Sections 4.05(b) and (c) were
not contained herein. As used herein, the term "Qualified Income Offset Amount"
for a Partner means the excess, if any, of (x) the negative balance a Partner
has in its Capital Account following the adjustment, allocation, or distribution
described in the preceding sentence, over (y) the maximum amount that it is
obligated (or is deemed to be obligated) to restore to the Partnership upon
liquidation as determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f),
(g), and (i). This Section 4.05(c) is intended to satisfy the provisions of
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
(d) All elections, decisions, and other matters concerning the
allocation of profits, gains, and losses among the Partners as well as other
accounting procedures not specifically and expressly provided for by the terms
of this Agreement, shall be determined, in good faith, by the General Partner.
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Section 4.06. Accounting.
(a) The fiscal year of the Partnership shall end on the last day of
December of each year.
(b) The books of account of the Partnership shall be kept and maintained
at all times at the principal place of business of the Partnership or at such
other place or places approved by the General Partner. The books of account
shall be maintained according to federal income tax principles using the accrual
method of accounting, consistently applied, and shall show all items of income
and expense.
(c) The General Partner shall cause a balance sheet of the Partnership
dated as of the end of the fiscal year and a related statement of income or loss
for the Partnership for such fiscal year to be prepared by the Accountant and
furnished, at the expense of the Partnership, to each of the Partners on an
annual basis, within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year.
(d) The General Partner shall forward to the Partners all reports
provided to the Partnership by the Master Company within ten (10) days of the
Partnership's receipt of such reports.
(e) Each Partner shall have the right at reasonable times and upon
reasonable advance notice during usual business hours to audit, examine, and
make copies of or extracts from the books of account of the Partnership. Such
right may be exercised through any agent or employee of such Partner designated
by him or it or by an independent certified public accountant designated by such
Partner. Each Partner shall bear all expenses incurred in any examination made
on behalf of such Partner.
Section 4.07. Bank Accounts. Funds of the Partnership shall "be deposited
in a Partnership account or accounts in the bank or banks as selected by the
General Partner. Withdrawals from bank accounts shall only be made by the
General Partner or such other parties as may be approved by the General Partner.
Section 4.08. Distributions to Partners. Except as provided in Section
6.05 in connection with the termination and liquidation of the Partnership, the
General Partner may distribute cash funds to the Partners at such times and in
such amounts as the General Partner determines, in its sole discretion, except
that such funds shall be distributed by the General Partner to the Partners pro
rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the time of the
distribution. In determining the amount of funds to distribute pursuant to this
Section 4.08, the General Partner may consider such factors as the need to
allocate funds to any reserves for Partnership contingencies or any other
Partnership purposes that the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate.
Section 4.09. Changes in Percentage Interests. If a Partner's Percentage
Interest changes during any fiscal year, the allocations to be made pursuant to
this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Section 706 of the Code, using
any convention permitted by Section 706 of the Code and the Regulations
promulgated thereunder and selected by the General Partner so as to equitably
effectuate the allocations of this Article IV.
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ARTICLE V
ASSIGNMENT
Section 5.01. Prohibited and Permitted Transfers. Except as specifically
provided in this Article V, no Limited Partner may sell, transfer, assign,
mortgage, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber or permit or suffer any encumbrance
of all or any part of his or its interest in the Partnership without the
approval of the General Partner and the General Partner may not sell, transfer,
assign, mortgage, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber or permit or suffer any
encumbrance of all or any part of its interest in the Partnership. Any attempt
so to transfer or encumber any such interest shall be null and void, ab initio.
The Partners will be excused from accepting the performance of and rendering
performance to any person other than the Limited Partner hereunder (including
any trustee or assignee of or for such Partner) as to whom such requisite
approval of the General Partner has not been rendered.
Section 5.02. Further Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) In the event of any assignment or transfer permitted under this
Article, the interest so assigned or transferred shall remain subject to all
terms and provisions of this Agreement; the assignee or transferee shall be
deemed, by accepting the interest so assigned or transferred, to have assumed
all the obligations hereunder relating to the interests or rights so assigned or
transferred and shall agree in writing to the foregoing if requested by the
General Partner. Any transferee or assignee of the interest of a Partner shall
be entitled only to receive distributions hereunder until such transferee or
assignee has been admitted as a Substituted Partner (as defined in Section
5.03). Until such transferee or assignee (other than an existing Partner) is
admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Partner, the Partner transferring
all or any portion of his or its interest to such assignee or transferee shall
remain primarily and directly liable for the performance of all his or its
obligations under this Agreement. After the admission of such assignee or
transferee as a Substituted Partner, such transferor Partner shall only be
primarily and directly liable under this Agreement or otherwise for any
obligations or liabilities accruing prior to the effective time of the admission
of such Substituted Partner, unless such transferor Partner is released in
writing from such obligations or liabilities by the General Partner.
(b) Any Partner making or offering to make a transfer of all or any part
of his or its interest in the Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Partnership and all other Partners from and against any costs, damages, claims,
suits, or fees suffered or incurred by the Partnership or any such other Partner
arising out of or resulting from any claims by the transferee of such
Partnership interest or any offerees of such Partnership interest in connection
with such transfer or offer.
Section 5.03. Substituted Partner. An assignee or transferee (other than
an existing Partner) of the interest of a Partner may be admitted as a
substitute partner ("Substituted Partner") only with the approval of the General
Partner. Unless the assignee is already a General Partner, any assignee of a
Partnership interest to whose admission such consent is given shall become and
shall have only the rights and duties of a Limited Partner and the assigned
Partnership interest shall thereafter be a Limited Partner's interest. Upon the
receipt by the General Partner of an appropriate supplement to this Agreement
pursuant to which such
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Substituted Partner agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this
Agreement, the General Partner shall reflect the admission of a Substituted
Partner and the withdrawal of the transferring Partner, if appropriate, by
preparing a supplemental exhibit, dated as of the date of such admission and
withdrawal, and by filing it with the records of the Partnership. Any
Substituted Partner shall, if required by the General Partner, prior to such
admission, also execute any other documents requested by the General Partner,
including, without limitation, an irrevocable power of attorney in form
satisfactory to the General Partner appointing the General Partner as such
person's attorney-in-fact with full power to execute, swear to, acknowledge, and
file all certificates and other instruments necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, such undertakings
as the General Partner may require for the payment of all fees and costs
necessary to effect any such transfer and admission. The transferor and
transferee of the transferred interest shall be responsible for the costs
associated with the transfer of the interest, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees. Upon admission, such Substituted Partner shall be
subject to all provisions of this Agreement in the place and stead of his
assignor as if the Substituted Partner originally was a party to this Agreement.
Section 5.04. Basis Adjustment. The Tax Matters Partner may cause, in its
sole and absolute discretion, the Partnership to elect pursuant to Section 754
of the Code and the Regulations thereunder to adjust the basis of the
Partnership Assets as provided by Sections 743 or 734 of the Code and the
Regulations thereunder.
Section 5.05. Other Restricted Transfers. Notwithstanding any other
provision herein to the contrary, unless prior written consent is given by the
General Partner, no transfer of any interest in the Partnership may be made to
any person who is related (within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-4(b))
to any lender of the Partnership whose loan constitutes a nonrecourse liability
of the Partnership.
ARTICLE VI
WITHDRAWAL, DISSOLUTION, TERMINATION, AND LIQUIDATION
Section 6.01. Withdrawal. No Limited Partner shall at any time retire or
withdraw from the Partnership without obtaining the approval of the General
Partner, and the General Partner shall not retire or withdraw from the
Partnership at any time. Retirement or withdrawal by any Partner in
contravention of this Section 6.01 shall subject such Partner to liability for
all damages caused any other Partner (other than a Partner who is, at the time
of such withdrawal, in default under this Agreement) by such retirement or
withdrawal and the consequential dissolution of the Partnership. Any notice of
withdrawal must be in writing.
Section 6.02. Dissolution of the Partnership. The Partnership shall be
dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) The withdrawal, as defined in the Act, of a General Partner, unless:
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(i) the remaining General Partner, if any, elects in writing within
ninety (90) days after such event to reconstitute the Partnership, to continue
as the General Partner, and to continue the Partnership and its business, or
(ii) there is no remaining General Partner, then within ninety (90) days
after such event, all of the Limited Partners agree to appoint in writing a
successor General Partner, as of the date of the withdrawal of the General
Partner, and agree to reconstitute the Partnership and continue the business of
the Partnership, and such successor General Partner agrees in writing to accept
such election; or
(b) The sale or other disposition, not including an exchange, of
substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (except under circumstances
where all or a portion of the purchase price is payable after the closing of the
sale or other disposition);
(c) December 31, 2049, unless extended by the consent of all Partners;
or
(d) Subject to any obligations of the Partnership, when approved by all
of the Partners.
Nothing contained in this Section 6.02 is intended to grant to any Partner the
right to dissolve the Partnership at will (by retirement, resignation,
withdrawal, or otherwise) or to exonerate any Partner from liability to the
Partnership and the remaining Partners if he or it dissolves the Partnership at
will.
Section 6.03. Continuation of Partnership. If the Partnership is continued
as provided in Section 6.02(a)(i) or (ii), then, as of the date of withdrawal,
the General Partner with respect to which an event of withdrawal under Section
6.02 has occurred (or his or its estate or successor in interest) (the
"Withdrawing General Partner") shall have none of the powers of a General
Partner under this Agreement or applicable law and shall have only the rights
and powers of an assignee of a Partner hereunder to share in any Partnership
profits, losses, gains, and distributions in accordance with his or its
Percentage Interest and shall have no other rights or powers of a Partner
hereunder.
Section 6.04. Withdrawal, etc. of a Limited Partner. The withdrawal,
termination (in the case of a Limited Partner that is a trust), dissolution and
termination (in the case of a Limited Partner that is a partnership),
dissolution (in the case of a Limited Partner that is a corporation or limited
liability company), retirement, or adjudication as a bankrupt of a Limited
Partner (the "Withdrawing Limited Partner") shall not dissolve the Partnership,
but the rights of such Withdrawing Limited Partner to share in the profits and
losses of the Partnership and to receive distributions of Partnership funds
shall, upon the happening of such an event, pass to the Withdrawing Limited
Partner's successors in interest subject to this Agreement, and the Partnership
shall continue as a limited partnership.
Section 6.05. Termination and Liquidation of the Partnership.
(a) Upon dissolution of the Partnership unless continued pursuant to
Section 6.03, the Partnership shall be terminated as rapidly as business
circumstances will permit. At the direction of the General Partner, or a Partner
approved by the Limited Partners if the dissolution of the
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Partnership is caused by the withdrawal of the General Partner (the General
Partner or the other Partner, as the case may be, being herein called the
"Terminating Partner"), a full accounting of the assets and liabilities of the
Partnership shall be taken and a statement of the Partnership Assets and a
statement of each Partner's Capital Account shall be furnished to all Partners
as soon as is reasonably practicable. The Terminating Partner shall take such
action as is necessary so that the Partnership's business shall be terminated,
its liabilities discharged, and its assets distributed as hereinafter described.
The Terminating Partner may, in his or its sole discretion, either sell all or a
part of the Partnership Assets, distribute all or a part of the Partnership
Assets in kind to the Partners, or sell part and distribute part of the
Partnership Assets in kind to the Partners (i.e., a combination of the two
approaches); provided, however, that the Terminating Partner shall ascertain the
fair market value of the Partnership Assets by appraisal or other reasonable
means of all Partnership Assets remaining unsold and each Partner's Capital
Account shall be charged or credited, as the case may be, as if such Partnership
Assets had been sold at their fair market value and the income, gains, losses,
deductions, and credits realized thereby had been allocated to the Partners in
accordance with Article IV hereof. A reasonable period of time shall be allowed
for the orderly termination of the Partnership. to minimize the normal losses of
a liquidation process.
(b) After the payment of all expenses of liquidation and of all debts
and liabilities of the Partnership in such order or priority as provided by law
(including any debts or liabilities to Partners, who shall be treated as secured
or unsecured creditors, as may be the case, to the extent permitted by law, for
sums loaned to the Partnership, if any, as distinguished from capital
contributions) and after all resulting items of Partnership income, gain,
credit, loss, or deduction are credited or debited to the Capital Accounts of
the Partners in accordance with Articles III and IV hereof, all remaining
Partnership Assets shall then be distributed among the Partners in accordance
with their relative positive Capital Account balances. Upon termination, a
Partner may not demand and receive cash in return for such Partner's capital
contributions and no Partner shall have any obligation to restore any deficit
that may then exist in that Partner's Capital Account. Distribution on
termination may be made by the distribution to each Partner of an undivided
interest in any asset of the Partnership that has not been sold at the time of
termination of the Partnership.
Section 6.06. General Partners Not Personally Liable. No General Partner
nor any affiliate of any General Partner shall be personally liable for the
return of the Capital Contributions of any Partner, and such return shall be
made solely from available Partnership Assets, if any, and each Limited Partner
hereby waives any and all claims it may have against any General Partner or any
such affiliate in this regard.
Section 6.07. Provisions Cumulative. All provisions of this Agreement
relating to the dissolution, liquidation, and termination of the Partnership
shall be cumulative to the extent not inconsistent with other provisions herein;
that is, the exercise or use of one of the provisions hereof shall not preclude
the exercise or use of any other provision of this Agreement to the extent not
inconsistent therewith.
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ARTICLE VII
GENERAL
Section 7.01. Competing Business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in or inferable from this Agreement, the Act, or any other statute or
principle of law, neither the Partners nor any of their shareholders, directors,
officers, employees, partners, agents, family members, or affiliates (each a
"Partner Affiliate") shall be prohibited or restricted in any way from investing
in or conducting, either directly or indirectly, and may invest in and/or
conduct, either directly or indirectly, businesses of any nature whatsoever,
including the ownership and operation of businesses or properties similar to or
in the same geographical area as those held by the Partnership. Any investment
in or conduct of any such businesses by a Partner or any Partner Affiliate shall
not give rise to any claim for an accounting by the other Partners or the
Partnership or any right to claim any interest therein or the profits therefrom.
Section 7.02. LIMITED PARTNER REPRESENTATIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING
CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, EACH LIMITED PARTNER HEREBY
REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO THE PARTNERSHIP, THE GENERAL PARTNER, AND TO EACH
OFFICER, DIRECTOR, SHAREHOLDER, MEMBER, PARTNER, CONTROLLING PERSON, AND AGENT
OF THE GENERAL PARTNER THAT: (a) THE INTEREST IN THE PARTNERSHIP OF SUCH LIMITED
PARTNER IS ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES ONLY FOR HIS OR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AND
NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION, REOFFER, RESALE, OR
OTHER DISPOSITION NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER (THE "1933 ACT") AND APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS; (b) SUCH LIMITED PARTNER, ALONE OR TOGETHER WITH HIS OR ITS
REPRESENTATIVES, POSSESSES SUCH EXPERTISE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SOPHISTICATION IN
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS MATTERS GENERALLY, AND IN THE TYPE OF TRANSACTIONS IN
WHICH THE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSES TO ENGAGE IN PARTICULAR, THAT HE OR IT IS CAPABLE
OF EVALUATING THE MERITS AND ECONOMIC RISKS OF ACQUIRING AND HOLDING HIS OR ITS
PARTNERSHIP INTEREST, AND THAT HE OR IT IS ABLE TO BEAR ALL SUCH ECONOMIC RISKS
NOW AND IN THE FUTURE; (c) SUCH LIMITED PARTNER HAS HAD ACCESS TO ALL OF THE
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE INTEREST ACQUIRED BY HIM OR IT UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT THAT HE OR IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO MAKE A COMPLETE EVALUATION THEREOF
AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION THE GENERAL PARTNER CONCERNING SUCH
INTEREST; (d) SUCH LIMITED PARTNER'S DECISION TO ACQUIRE HIS OR ITS INTEREST FOR
INVESTMENT HAS BEEN BASED SOLELY UPON THE EVALUATION MADE BY HIM OR IT; (e) SUCH
LIMITED PARTNER IS AWARE THAT HE OR IT MUST BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK OF HIS OR ITS
INVESTMENT IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE INTERESTS
IN THE PARTNERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR UNDER THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES, AND, THEREFORE, CANNOT BE SOLD UNLESS SUCH
INTERESTS ARE SUBSEQUENTLY REGISTERED UNDER THE 1933 ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
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IS AVAILABLE; (f) SUCH LIMITED PARTNER IS AWARE THAT ONLY THE PARTNERSHIP CAN
TAKE ACTION TO REGISTER SUCH INTEREST IN THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE PARTNERSHIP IS
UNDER NO SUCH OBLIGATION AND DOES NOT PROPOSE TO ATTEMPT TO DO SO; AND (g) SUCH
LIMITED PARTNER IS AWARE THAT THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES RESTRICTIONS ON THE
ABILITY OF A LIMITED PARTNER TO SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, MORTGAGE, HYPOTHECATE,
OR OTHERWISE ENCUMBER HIS OR ITS INTEREST IN THE PARTNERSHIP.
Section 7.03. Notice.
(a) All notices, demands, or requests provided for or permitted to be
given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing.
(b) All notices, demands, and requests to be sent to a Partner, any
Distributee(s) (or their Agent) of the interest of a Partner, or any Substituted
Partner pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly given
or served if: (i) personally delivered, (ii) deposited prepaid for next day
delivery by Federal Express, or other similar overnight courier services,
addressed to such Partner, (iii) deposited in the United States mail, addressed
to such Partner, prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt
requested, or (iv) transmitted via telecopier or other similar device to the
attention of such Partner, all at the address or telecopy number for such
Partner set forth on such Partner's signature page attached hereto (as may be
changed in accordance with subsection (d) below).
(c) All notices, demands, and requests so given shall be deemed
received: (i) when personally delivered, (ii) twenty-four (24) hours after being
deposited for next day delivery with an overnight courier, (iii) forty-eight
(48) hours after being deposited in the United States mail, or (iv) twelve (12)
hours after being telecopied or otherwise transmitted and receipt has been
confirmed.
(d) The Partners, any Substituted Partners, and their respective
Distributee(s)(or their Agent) shall have the right from time to time, and at
any time during the term of this Agreement, to change their respective addresses
and each shall have the right to specify as his or its address any other address
within the United States of America by giving to the other parties at least
thirty (30) days written notice thereof, in the manner prescribed in Section
7.03(b); provided however, that to be effective, any such notice must be
actually received (as evidenced by a return receipt).
(e) All distributions to any Partner shall be made at the address to
which notices are to be sent unless otherwise specified in writing by such
Partner.
Section 7.04. Amendments. No amendments and/or supplements may be made to
or restatements made of this Agreement or the Certificate of Limited Partnership
(or any exhibits or schedules attached to any of them), without the consent of
all of the Partners.
Section 7.05. GOVERNING LAWS AND VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE IN FORT
WORTH, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTNERS
HEREUNDER SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. ALL MATTERS LITIGATED BY, AMONG, OR BETWEEN ANY OF
THE PARTNERS THAT
15
INVOLVE THIS AGREEMENT, THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTNERS, OR ANY RELATED
DOCUMENTS OR MATTERS HEREUNDER SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN FORT WORTH, TARRANT
COUNTY, TEXAS.
Section 7.06. Rule of Construction. The general rule of construction for
interpreting a contract, which provides that the provisions of a contract should
be construed against the party preparing the contract, is waived by the parties.
Each party acknowledges that he or it was represented by separate legal counsel
in this matter who participated in the preparation of this Agreement or he or it
had the opportunity to retain counsel to participate in the preparation of this
Agreement but chose not to do so.
Section 7.07. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all exhibits to
this Agreement and, if any, exhibits to such exhibits, contains the entire
agreement among the parties relative to the matters contained in this Agreement.
Section 7.08. Waiver. No consent or waiver, express or implied, by any
Partner to or for any breach or default by any other Partner in the performance
by such other Partner of his or its obligations under this Agreement shall be
deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or
default in the performance by such other Partner of the same or any other
obligations of such other Partner under this Agreement. Failure on the part of
any Partner to complain of any act or failure to act of any of the other
Partners or to declare any of the other Partners in default, regardless of how
long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such Partner of
his or its rights hereunder.
Section 7.09. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid or
unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application
of such provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby, and the intent of this Agreement shall be enforced to the greatest
extent permitted by law.
Section 7.10. Binding Agreement. Subject to the restrictions on transfers
and encumbrances set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the undersigned Partners and their respective
legal representatives, successors, and assigns. Whenever, in this Agreement, a
reference to any party or Partner is made, such reference shall be deemed to
include a reference to the legal representatives, successors, and assigns of
such party or Partner.
Section 7.11. Tense and Gender. Unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. Whenever the
masculine, feminine, or neuter gender is used inappropriately in this Agreement,
this Agreement shall be read as if the appropriate gender was used.
Section 7.12. Captions. Captions are included solely for convenience of
reference and if there is any conflict between captions and the text of this
Agreement, the text shall control.
Section 7.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all purposes and all
of which when taken together shall constitute a single counterpart instrument.
Executed signature pages to any counterpart
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instrument may be detached and affixed to a single counterpart, which single
counterpart with multiple executed signature pages affixed thereto constitutes
the original counterpart instrument. All of these counterpart pages shall be
read as though one and they shall have the same force and effect as if all of
the parties had executed a single signature page.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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The undersigned has executed and delivered this Limited Partnership
Agreement of EAP Energy Services, L.P. in Fort Worth, Texas, to be effective as
of the Effective Date.
GENERAL PARTNER
EAP ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ BRUCE B. SELKIRK, III
---------------------------------------
Bruce B. Selkirk, III, Executive
Vice President
Initial Capital Contribution: $100.00
Percentage Interest: 1.00%
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The undersigned has executed and delivered this Limited Partnership
Agreement of EAP Energy Services, L.P. in Fort Worth, Texas, to be effective as
of the Effective Date.
LIMITED PARTNER
EAP PROPERTIES, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:/s/ Bruce B. Selkirk, III
----------------------------------------
Bruce B. Selkirk, III, Executive
Vice President
Initial Capital Contribution: $9,900.00
Percentage Interest: 99.00%
19