COLLATERAL PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.5
COLLATERAL
PLEDGE
AND
SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated
as
of November __, 2007
between
PETROHUNTER
ENERGY CORPORATION
as
Pledgor
and
XXXXX
X.
XXXXXX
as
Collateral Agent
This
Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement (as supplemented from time to time,
this “Pledge Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
November __, 2007 between PETROHUNTER ENERGY CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation
(the “Pledgor”), having its principal offices at Suite 1400,
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, and XXXXX X. XXXXXX as collateral agent
for the holders (the “Holders”) of the Debentures (as defined
herein) issued by the Pledgor (the “Collateral
Agent”).
W
I T N E
S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor and Renaissance Capital Group, Inc. (the “Initial
Purchaser”) are parties to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated
November __, 2007 (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which
the Pledgor will issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers and other purchasers
$15 million aggregate principal amount of Series A 8.50% Convertible Debentures
Debentures due November __, 2012 (the “Debentures”);
and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Pledgor is required to pledge to the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders, at the Closing Date (as defined
in the Purchase Agreement) all of its shares of stock of Sweetpea Petroleum
Pty
Ltd, a company registered under the Corporations Xxx 0000 (Australia)
(the “Sweetpea Shares”) to secure the repayment in full of the
Debentures (such obligation, together with the obligation to repay the
principal, premium, if any, interest (including Liquidated Damages, if any),
fees, expenses or otherwise on the Debentures and under this Agreement and
any
other transaction document related thereto in the event that the Debentures
become due and payable prior to such time as the Debentures shall have been
paid
in full, being collectively referred to herein as the
“Obligations”); and
WHEREAS,
it is a condition precedent to the purchase of the Debentures by the Initial
Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement that the Pledgor deposit such
Pledged Securities with the Collateral Agent to be held subject to the terms
of
this Pledge Agreement and shall have granted the assignment and security
interest and made the pledge and assignment contemplated by this Pledge
Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor has also agreed to pledge the Sweetpea Shares to the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of Global Project Finance AG (“Global”),
at the Closing Date, to secure the repayment of up to $6.5 million (the
“Secured Amount”) advanced by Global under Credit and Security
Agreements dated January 9, 2007 and May 21, 2007;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained, and in order
to
induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Debentures, the Pledgor and the
Collateral Agent hereby agree, for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and
for
the ratable benefit of the Holders, as follows:
SECTION
1. Definitions; Appointment; Deposit and
Investment.
1.1 Definitions.
(a) Unless
otherwise defined in this Pledge Agreement, terms defined in Article 8 or 9
of
the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of Colorado
(“Colorado Uniform
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Commercial
Code”) from time to time are used in this Pledge Agreement as such
terms are defined in such Article 8 or 9.
(b) In
this
Pledge Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (such meanings
to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined):
“Closing
Date” has the meaning specified in the Purchase Agreement.
“Collateral”
has the meaning specified in Section 1.3 hereof.
“Collateral
Agent” has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties
hereto.
“Colorado
Uniform Commercial Code” has the meaning specified in Section
1.1(b).
“Debentures”
has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties hereof.
“Holders”
has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties hereto.
“Initial
Purchasers” has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties
hereof.
“Obligations”
has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties hereof.
“Permitted
Collateral Liens” means the Liens created hereunder in favor of the
Collateral Agent.
“Purchase
Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties
hereof.
“Pledged
Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 1.3
hereof.
“Pledgor”
has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties hereto.
“Secured
Amount” has the meaning specified in the recitals of the parties
hereto.
“Sweetpea
Shares” has the meaning specifie din the recitals of the parties
hereto.
“Termination
Date” means the date of the payment in full in cash of all obligations
due and owing under this Pledge Agreement and the Debentures.
1.2. Appointment
of the Collateral Agent. The Pledgor hereby appoints the
Collateral Agent as Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth herein and the Collateral Agent hereby accepts such
appointment.
1.3. Pledge
and Grant of Security Interest. As Security for the prompt and
complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity,
by
acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, the Pledgor hereby assigns and
pledges to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Holders and
hereby grants to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Holders,
a
lien on and security interest in all of the Pledgor’s right, title and interest
in, to and under the following property: (a) 330,000 Ordinary Shares of stock
of
Sweetpea Petroleum Pty Ltd, a company registered under the Corporations Xxx
0000 (Australia), ABN 42 074 750
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879
(the
“Pledged Securities”) and the certificates representing the
Pledged Securities (if any), (b) all interest, dividends, cash, instruments
and
other property, if any, from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the then
existing Collateral and (c) all proceeds of any and all of the foregoing
Collateral (including, without limitation, proceeds that constitute property
of
the types described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section and, to the extent
not otherwise included, all (i) payments under insurance (whether or not
any of
the Holders or the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof) or any indemnity,
warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise
with
respect to any of the foregoing Collateral and (ii) cash proceeds of any
and all
of the foregoing Collateral (such property described in clauses (a) through
(c)
of this Section 1.3 being collectively referred to herein as the
“Collateral”). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, this Pledge Agreement secures the payment of all amounts that
constitute part of the Obligations and would be owed by the Pledgor to the
Holders under the Debentures, this Pledge Agreement and any other transaction
documents related thereto but for the fact that they are unenforceable or
not
allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar
proceeding involving the Pledgor.
SECTION
2. Establishment and Maintenance of Collateral.
(a) The
Collateral Agent shall cause the Collateral to be separate from all other
property maintained by the Collateral Agent.
(b) The
Collateral Agent shall, in accordance with all applicable laws, have sole
dominion and control over the Collateral.
(c) No
amount shall be released to or for the account of, or withdrawn by or for the
account of, the Pledgor or any other Person except as expressly provided in
this
Pledge Agreement.
SECTION
3. Delivery and Control of Collateral. All
certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Collateral shall be
delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto
and shall be in suitable form for transfer or delivery, or, at the request
of
the Collateral Agent, shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of
transfer or assignment in blank. In addition, the Collateral Agent
shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments
representing or evidencing Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller
or larger denominations.
SECTION
4. Disbursements. The Collateral Agent shall hold the
Collateral and release the same, or a portion thereof, only as
follows:
(a) If
(i) an Event of Default under the Debentures occurs and is continuing and (ii)
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
accelerate the Debentures by declaring the principal amount of the Debentures
to
be immediately due and payable in accordance with the provisions of the
Debentures, then the Collateral Agent shall promptly, subject to applicable
bankruptcy laws, release the cash portion of the Collateral and, if the cash
portion shall be insufficient, the Pledged Securities of the Collateral, to
the
Holders of the Debentures and Global ratably in accordance with (1) the amount
of any accrued and unpaid
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interest
on the Debentures and the unpaid principal amount of the Debentures in the
case
of the Holders and (2) the Secured Amount in the case of
Global.
(b) Upon
the release of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Pledge
Agreement, the security interest evidenced by this Pledge Agreement in such
released Collateral will automatically terminate and be of no further force
and
effect.
(c) The
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the
time outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Collateral Agent or of exercising
any
trust or power conferred upon the Collateral Agent. However, the
Collateral Agent may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law
or
this Pledge Agreement or that the Collateral Agent determines in good faith
is
prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or would involve the Collateral
Agent
in personal liability unless the Collateral Agent is offered indemnity
satisfactory to it against loss, liability or expense.
SECTION
5. Representations and Warranties. The
Pledgor hereby represents and warrants, as of the date hereof,
that:
(a) The
execution and delivery by the Pledgor of, and the performance by the Pledgor
of
its obligations under, this Pledge Agreement will not contravene any provision
of applicable law or the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or equivalent
organizational instruments of the Pledgor or any material agreement or other
material instrument binding upon the Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries or
any
judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having
jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries, or result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any assets of the Pledgor, except for
the
lien and security interests granted under this Pledge Agreement; no consent,
approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, and no notice to
or
filing with, any governmental body or agency or other third party is required
(i) for the performance by the Pledgor of its obligations under this Pledge
Agreement, (ii) for the pledge by the Pledgor of the Collateral pursuant to
this
Pledge Agreement or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement
by the Pledgor or (iii) for the perfection or maintenance of the pledge,
assignment and security interest created hereby, or (iv) except for any such
consents, approvals, authorizations or orders required to be obtained by the
Collateral Agent (or the Holders) for reasons other than the consummation of
this transaction, for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the rights
provided for in this Pledge Agreement or the remedies in respect of the
Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement.
(b) The
Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral, free and clear
of
any Lien or claims of any Person (except for Permitted Collateral
Liens). No effective financing statement or other instrument similar
in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any public
office other than the financing statements, if any, to be filed pursuant to
this
Pledge Agreement.
(c) This
Pledge Agreement has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by
the
Pledgor and (assuming the due authorization and valid execution and delivery
of
this Pledge Agreement by the Collateral Agent and enforceability of the Pledge
Agreement against the Collateral Agent in accordance with its terms) constitutes
a valid and binding agreement of
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the
Pledgor, enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except
as
(i) the enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, preference, reorganization, moratorium or similar
laws
now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights or remedies
of
creditors generally, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited
by equitable principles of general applicability and the discretion of the
court
before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, (iii) the exculpation
provisions and rights to indemnification hereunder may be limited by U.S.
federal and state securities laws and public policy considerations and (iv)
the
waiver of rights and defenses contained in Section 15.11 and Section 15.15
hereof may be limited by applicable law.
(d) Upon
the delivery to the Collateral Agent of the Collateral in accordance with the
terms hereof, the pledge of and grant of a security interest in the Collateral
securing the payment of the Obligations for the benefit of the Holders will
constitute a valid, first priority, perfected security interest in such
Collateral, enforceable as such against all creditors of the Pledgor and any
persons purporting to purchase any of the Collateral from the
Pledgor.
(e) There
are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the best of the
Pledgor’s knowledge, threatened to which the Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or to which any of the properties of the Pledgor or any of its
subsidiaries is subject that would materially adversely affect the power or
ability of the Pledgor to perform its obligations under this Pledge Agreement
or
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) The
pledge of the Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement is not prohibited
by
law or governmental regulation applicable to the Pledgor.
(g) No
Event of Default exists.
(h) The
chief place of business and chief executive office of the Pledgor are located
at
the address first specified above for the Pledgor.
SECTION
6. Further Assurances. The Pledgor will, promptly upon the
reasonable request by the Collateral Agent (which request the Collateral Agent
may submit at the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the notes then outstanding), execute and deliver or cause to be
executed and delivered, or use its commercially reasonable efforts to procure,
all assignments, instruments and other documents, deliver any instruments to
the
Collateral Agent and take any other actions that are necessary or desirable
to
perfect, continue the perfection of, or protect the first priority of the
Holders’ security interest in and to the Collateral, to protect the Collateral
against the rights, claims or interests of third persons (other than any such
rights, claims or interests created by or arising through the Collateral Agent)
or to effect the purposes of this Pledge Agreement. The Pledgor will
promptly pay all reasonable costs incurred in connection with any of the
foregoing within 45 days of receipt of an invoice therefor. The
Pledgor also agrees, whether or not requested by the Collateral Agent, to use
its commercially reasonable efforts to perfect or continue the perfection of,
or
to protect the first priority of, the Holders’ security interest in and to the
Collateral, and to protect the Collateral against the rights, claims or
interests of third persons (other than any such rights, claims or interests
created by or arising through the Collateral Agent).
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SECTION
7. Covenants. The Pledgor covenants and agrees with
the Collateral Agent and the Holders that from and after the date of this Pledge
Agreement until the Termination Date:
(a) it
will not (i) (and will not purport to) sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant
any option or warrant with respect to, any of the Collateral nor (ii) create
or
permit to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral (except
for Permitted Collateral Liens and any Lien created by or arising through the
Collateral Agent) and at all times will be the sole beneficial owner of the
Collateral;
(b) it
will not (i) enter into any agreement or understanding that restricts or
inhibits or purports to restrict or inhibit the Collateral Agent’s rights or
remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, the Collateral Agent’s right
to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or (ii) fail to pay or discharge
any tax, assessment or levy of any nature with respect to its beneficial
interest in the Collateral not later than three Business Days prior to the
date
of any proposed sale under any judgment, writ or warrant of attachment with
respect to the Collateral;
(c) it
will keep its chief place of business and chief executive office at the location
therefor specified in Section 5(h) or upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the
Collateral Agent, at such other locations in a jurisdiction where all actions
required by Section 6 have been taken with respect to the
Collateral.
SECTION
8. Power of Attorney; Agent May
Perform. (a) Subject to the terms of this Pledge
Agreement, the Pledgor hereby appoints and constitutes the Collateral Agent
as
the Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) to exercise to
the fullest extent permitted by law all of the following powers upon and at
any
time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default:
(i) collection
of proceeds of the Collateral;
(ii) conveyance
of any item of Collateral to any purchaser thereof;
(iii) giving
of any notices or recording of any Liens hereof; and
(iv) paying
or discharging taxes or Liens levied or placed upon the Collateral, the legality
or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be
determined by the Collateral Agent in its sole reasonable discretion, and such
payments made by the Collateral Agent to become part of the Obligations secured
hereby, due and payable immediately upon demand. The Collateral
Agent’s authority under this Section 8 shall, at any time after the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default include, without limitation,
the authority to endorse and negotiate any checks or instruments representing
proceeds of Collateral in the name of the Pledgor, execute and give receipt
for
any certificate of ownership or any document constituting Collateral, transfer
title to any item of Collateral, sign the Pledgor’s name on all financing
statements (to the extent permitted by applicable law) or any other documents
necessary or appropriate to preserve, protect or perfect the security interest
in the Collateral and to file the same, prepare, file and sign the Pledgor’s
name on any notice of Lien (to the extent permitted by applicable law), and
to
take any other actions arising from or necessarily incident to
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the
powers granted to the Collateral Agent in this Pledge Agreement. This power
of
attorney is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable by the
Pledgor.
(b) If
the Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Collateral
Agent may, but is not obligated to, after providing to the Pledgor notice of
such failure and five Business Days to effect such performance, itself perform,
or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral
Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the Pledgor under
Section 12.
SECTION
9. No Assumption of Duties; Reasonable Care. The
rights and powers granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder are being granted
in
order to preserve and protect the security interest of the Collateral Agent
for
the benefit of the Holders in and to the Collateral granted hereby and shall
not
be interpreted to, and shall not impose any duties on, the Collateral Agent
in
connection therewith other than those expressly provided herein or imposed
under
applicable law. Except as provided by applicable law, the Collateral
Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded
treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords similar
property held by the Collateral Agent for similar accounts, it being understood
that the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such
(a) may
consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any
Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in reliance thereon and
(b) shall
not have any responsibility for
(i) ascertaining
or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities
or
other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not the Collateral Agent
has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or
(ii) taking
any necessary steps for the existence, enforceability or perfection of any
security interest of the Collateral Agent or to preserve rights against any
parties with respect to any Collateral.
In
no
event shall the Collateral Agent be liable for the existence, validity,
enforceability or perfection of any security interest of the Collateral Agent,
or for special indirect or consequential damages or lost profits or loss of
business, arising in connection with this Agreement.
SECTION
10. Indemnity. The Pledgor shall fully indemnify,
hold harmless and defend the Collateral Agent and its directors and officers
from and against any and all claims, losses, actions, obligations, liabilities
and expenses, including reasonable defense costs, reasonable investigative
fees
and costs, and reasonable legal fees, expenses, and damages arising from the
Collateral Agent’s appointment and performance as Collateral Agent under this
Pledge Agreement, except to the extent that such claim, action, obligation,
liability or expense is directly caused by the bad faith, gross negligence
or
willful misconduct of such indemnified person. The provisions of this Section
10
shall survive termination of this Pledge Agreement and the resignation and
removal of the Collateral Agent.
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SECTION
11. Remedies upon Event of Default. Subject to Section
4(a) if any Event of Default under the Debentures shall have occurred and be
continuing and the Debentures shall have been accelerated in accordance with
the
provisions thereof:
(a) The
Collateral Agent and the Holders shall have, in addition to all other rights
given by law or by this Pledge Agreement, all of the rights and remedies with
respect to the Collateral of a secured party upon default under the Colorado
Uniform Commercial Code (whether or not the Colorado Uniform Commercial Code
applies to the affected Collateral) at that time. In addition, with
respect to any Collateral that shall then be in or shall thereafter come into
the possession or custody of the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent may
and,
at the written direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures then outstanding, shall appoint a broker or other
expert to sell or cause the same to be sold at any broker’s board or at public
or private sale, in one or more sales or lots, at such price or prices such
broker or other expert may deem commercially reasonable, for cash or on credit
or for future delivery, without assumption of any credit risk. The purchaser
of
any or all Collateral so sold shall thereafter hold the same absolutely, free
from any claim, encumbrance or right of any kind whatsoever created by or
through the Pledgor. Unless any of the Collateral threatens, in the
reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent, to decline speedily in value,
the
Collateral Agent will give the Pledgor reasonable notice of the time and place
of any public sale thereof, or of the time after which any private sale or
other
intended disposition is to be made. Any sale of the Collateral
conducted in conformity with reasonable commercial practices of banks, insurance
companies, commercial finance companies, or other financial institutions
disposing of property similar to the Collateral shall be deemed to be
commercially reasonable. Any requirements of reasonable notice shall
be met if notice of the time and place of any public sale or the time after
which any private sale is to be made is given to the Pledgor as provided in
Section 15.1 hereof at least ten (10) days before the time of the sale or
disposition. The Collateral Agent or any Holder may, in its own name
or in the name of a designee or nominee, buy any of the Collateral at any public
sale and, if permitted by applicable law, at any private sale. The
Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral
regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent
may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at
the
time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be
made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. All expenses
(including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and
disbursements) of, or incident to, the enforcement of any of the provisions
hereof shall be recoverable from the proceeds of the sale or other disposition
of the Collateral.
(b) The
Pledgor further agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or
cause
to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales
of
all or any portion of the Collateral pursuant to this Section 11 valid and
binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable requirements of
law. The Pledgor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants
contained in this Section 11 will cause irreparable injury to the Holders,
that
the Holders have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as
a
consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 11 shall
be
specifically enforceable against the Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives
and
agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance
of
such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has
occurred.
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(c) All
cash proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral
may, in the discretion of the Collateral Agent, be held by the Collateral Agent
as collateral for, and/or then or at any time thereafter applied (after payment
of any amounts payable to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 12) by the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Holders first against any
accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures and thereafter against the
remaining Obligations. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the
Collateral Agent and remaining after payment in full of all of the Obligations
shall be paid over to the Pledgor.
(d) The
Collateral Agent may, but is not obligated to, exercise any and all rights
and
remedies of the Pledgor in respect of the Collateral.
(e) Subject
to and in accordance with the terms of this Pledge Agreement, all payments
received by the Pledgor in respect of the Collateral shall be received in trust
for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds
of
the Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent in the
same
form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).
(f) The
Collateral Agent may, without notice to the Pledgor except as required by law
and at any time or from time to time, charge, set-off and otherwise apply all
or
any part of the Obligations against the Collateral or any part
thereof.
SECTION
12. Fees and Expenses. Pledgor agrees to pay to
Collateral Agent the fees as may be agreed upon from time to time in
writing. The Pledgor will upon demand pay to the Collateral Agent the
amount of any and all expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of its counsel, and experts and agents retained
by the Collateral Agent that the Collateral Agent may incur in connection
with:
(a) the
review, negotiation and administration of this Pledge Agreement,
(b) the
custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral,
(c) the
exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent and the
Holders hereunder or
(d) the
failure by the Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions
hereof.
SECTION
13. Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the
Collateral Agent and the Holders and security interests hereunder, and all
obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional
irrespective of:
(a) any
change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of,
all
or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent
to
any departure from the Debentures;
(b) any
exchange, surrender, release or non-perfection of any Liens on any other
collateral for all or any of the Obligations;
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(c) any
change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or the existence
of the Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries;
(d) to
the extent permitted by applicable law, any other circumstance which might
otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Pledgor
in
respect of the Obligations or of this Pledge Agreement; or
(e) any
manner of application of other collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any
item of the Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any
item
of Collateral for all or any of the Obligations.
SECTION
14. Collateral Agent’s Representations, Warranties and
Covenants. The Collateral Agent (in such capacity)
hereby:
(a) represents
and warrants that it is a commercial bank that in the ordinary course of its
business maintains securities accounts for others and is acting in that capacity
hereunder and with respect to the Collateral;
(b) hereby
represents that, subject to applicable law, it has not granted, and covenants
that it shall not grant, control (including without limitation, securities
control) over or with respect to any Collateral from time to time to any other
Person other than the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as such);
(c) covenants
that it shall not, subject to applicable law, knowingly take any action
inconsistent with, and represents and covenants that it is not and so long
as
this Pledge Agreement remains in effect will not knowingly become, party to
any
agreement the terms of which are inconsistent with, the provisions of this
Pledge Agreement;
(d) agrees
that any item of Collateral shall not be subject to any security interest,
Lien
or right of set-off, except as may be expressly permitted under the Debentures;
and
(e) agrees
to maintain the Collateral and maintain appropriate books and records in respect
thereof in accordance with its usual procedures and subject to the terms of
this
Pledge Agreement.
SECTION
15. Miscellaneous Provisions.
15.1 Notices. Any
notice, approval, direction, consent or other communication shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first
class mail, commercial courier service or telecopier communication, addressed
as
follows:
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if
to the
Pledgor:
PetroHunter
Energy Corporation
Suite
1400, 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Chief Financial Officer
Telecopier
No.: (000) 000-0000
if
to the
Collateral Agent:
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
0000
X.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telecopier
No.: (000) 000-0000
or,
as to
any such party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party
in a
written notice to each other party complying as to delivery with the terms
of
this Section. All such notices and other communications shall be
deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally
delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, first class
postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is confirmed, if telecopied; and on
the
next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
15.2. No
Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Pledge
Agreement may not be used to interpret another pledge, security or debt
agreement of the Pledgor or any subsidiary thereof. No such pledge,
security or debt agreement (other than the Debentures) may be used to interpret
this Pledge Agreement.
15.3. Severability. The
provisions of this Pledge Agreement are severable, and if any clause or
provision shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part
in
any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect in
that
jurisdiction only such clause or provision, or part thereof, and shall not
in
any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction or any
other clause or provision of this Pledge Agreement in any
jurisdiction.
15.4. Headings. The
headings in this Pledge Agreement have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
15.5. Counterpart
Originals. This Pledge Agreement may be signed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same agreement.
15.6. Benefits
of Pledge Agreement. Nothing in this Pledge Agreement,
express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto
and
their successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Pledge Agreement.
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15.7. Amendments,
Waivers and Consents. Any amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Pledge Agreement and any consent to any departure by the
Pledgor or Collateral Agent from any provision of this Pledge Agreement shall
be
effective only if made or duly given in compliance with all of the terms and
provisions of the Debentures, and none of Collateral Agent, the Pledgor, or
any
Holder shall be deemed, by any act, delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise,
to
have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default
or Event of Default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof.
Failure of the Collateral Agent, the Pledgor, or any Holder to exercise, or
delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall not preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or privilege. A waiver by the Collateral Agent, the Pledgor, or any
Holder of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be
construed as a bar to any right or remedy that the Collateral Agent, the
Pledgor, or such Holder would otherwise have on any future
occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may
be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies provided by law.
15.8. Continuing
Security Interest; Termination.
(a) This
Pledge Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in and to the
Collateral and shall, unless otherwise provided in the Debentures or in this
Pledge Agreement, remain in full force and effect until the Termination
Date. This Pledge Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective transferees, successors and assigns, and shall inure,
together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to
the
benefit of the Collateral Agent, the Pledgor, the Holders and their respective
successors, transferees and assigns.
(b) Upon
the
Termination Date, the pledge, assignment and security interest granted hereby
shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the
Pledgor. At such time, the Collateral Agent shall promptly reassign
and redeliver to the Pledgor all of the Collateral hereunder that has not been
sold, disposed of, retained or applied by the Collateral Agent in accordance
with the terms of this Pledge Agreement and the Debentures and execute and
deliver to the Pledgor such documents as the Pledgor shall reasonably request
to
evidence such termination including, without limitation, termination statements
in respect of each jurisdiction in which a financing statement in respect of
the
security interest created hereby has been filed. Such reassignment and
redelivery shall be without warranty by or recourse to the Collateral Agent
in
its capacity as such, except as to the absence of any Liens on the Collateral
created by or arising through the Collateral Agent, and shall be at the
reasonable expense of the Pledgor.
15.9. Survival
Provisions. All representations, warranties and
covenants contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Pledge Agreement, and shall terminate only upon the termination of this Pledge
Agreement. The obligations of the Pledgor under Sections 10 and 12
hereof and the obligations of the Collateral Agent under Section 15.9(b) hereof
shall survive the termination of this Pledge Agreement.
15.10. Waivers.
The Pledgor waives presentment and demand for payment of any
of the Obligations, protest and notice of dishonor or default with respect
to
any of the Obligations, and all other notices to which the Pledgor might
otherwise be entitled, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in
the
Debentures.
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15.11. Authority
of the Collateral Agent.
(a) The
Collateral Agent shall have and be entitled to exercise all powers hereunder
that are specifically granted to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto. The
Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder or in connection with
the Collateral by or through agents or attorneys, shall not be responsible
for
any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
with
due care by it hereunder and shall be entitled to retain counsel and to act
in
reliance upon the advice of counsel concerning all such
matters. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Pledge
Agreement or the Debentures, neither the Collateral Agent nor any director,
officer, employee, attorney or agent of the Collateral Agent shall be liable
to
the Pledgor for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Collateral Agent,
in its capacity as Collateral Agent, hereunder, except for its own bad faith,
gross negligence or willful misconduct, and the Collateral Agent shall not
be
responsible for the validity, effectiveness or sufficiency hereof or of any
document or Security furnished pursuant hereto. The Collateral Agent and its
directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents shall be entitled to rely
conclusively on any communication, instrument or document reasonably believed
by
it or them to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the
proper Person or Persons. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to
cause any financing statement or continuation statement to be filed in respect
of the Collateral.
(b) The
Pledgor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral
Agent under this Pledge Agreement with respect to any action taken by the
Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of
any
option, right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein
or
resulting or arising out of this Pledge Agreement shall, as between the
Collateral Agent and the Holders, be governed by the Debentures and by such
other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among
them,
but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Pledgor, the Collateral Agent
shall
be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Holders with full and
valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and the Pledgor shall not
be
obligated or entitled to make any inquiry respecting such
authority.
15.12. Final
Expression. This Pledge Agreement, together with the
Debentures and any other agreement executed in connection herewith, is intended
by the parties as a final expression of this Pledge Agreement and is intended
as
a complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions
thereof.
15.13. Rights
of Holders. No Holder shall have any independent rights
hereunder other than those rights granted to individual Holders pursuant to
the
Debentures.
15.14.
GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; WAIVER
OF
DAMAGES. (a) THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR
REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY
THE
LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF COLORADO, AND, EXCEPT TO THE
14
EXTENT
THAT THE VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES
HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS
OF A
JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF COLORADO, ANY DISPUTE ARISING
OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP
ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE PLEDGOR, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE HOLDERS IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, AND WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT,
EQUITY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE
OF COLORADO.
(b) THE
PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND FOR ACTIONS BROUGHT UNDER
THE U.S. FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OR THE
DISTRICT COURT OF COLORADO, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF DENVER (EACH A
“COLORADO COURT”), AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS IN
ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED, DIRECTED TO THE PLEDGOR AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN SECTION
15.1. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
OF
ANY COLORADO COURT AND TO THE COURTS OF ITS CORPORATE DOMICILE WITH RESPECT
TO
ANY ACTIONS BROUGHT AGAINST IT AS DEFENDANT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP
ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PLEDGOR, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE HOLDERS IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES
ANY
OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE, INCLUDING ANY PLEADING OF
FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH ACTION AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT
TO
WHICH IT MAY BE ENTITLED ON ACCOUNT OF PLACE OF RESIDENCE OR
DOMICILE.
(c) THE
PLEDGOR AGREES THAT THE COLLATERAL AGENT SHALL, IN ITS CAPACITY AS SUCH OR
IN
THE NAME AND ON BEHALF OF ANY HOLDER, HAVE THE RIGHT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
BY
APPLICABLE LAW, TO PROCEED AGAINST THE PLEDGOR OR THE COLLATERAL IN A COURT
IN
ANY LOCATION REASONABLY SELECTED IN GOOD FAITH (AND HAVING PERSONAL OR IN REM
JURISDICTION OVER THE PLEDGOR OR THE COLLATERAL, AS THE CASE MAY BE) TO ENABLE
THE COLLATERAL AGENT TO REALIZE ON SUCH COLLATERAL, OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT
OR
OTHER COURT ORDER ENTERED IN FAVOR OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT. THE PLEDGOR AGREES
THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT ANY COUNTERCLAIMS, SETOFFS OR CROSSCLAIMS IN ANY
PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT TO REALIZE ON SUCH PROPERTY OR TO
ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT, EXCEPT
FOR SUCH COUNTERCLAIMS, SETOFFS OR CROSSCLAIMS WHICH, IF NOT ASSERTED IN ANY
SUCH PROCEEDING, COULD NOT OTHERWISE BE BROUGHT OR ASSERTED.
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(d) THE
PLEDGOR AGREES THAT NEITHER ANY HOLDER NOR (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN
THIS
PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR THE DEBENTURES) THE COLLATERAL AGENT IN ITS CAPACITY AS
COLLATERAL AGENT SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO THE PLEDGOR (WHETHER ARISING IN
TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) FOR LOSSES SUFFERED BY THE PLEDGOR IN CONNECTION
WITH, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
AND THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BY THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION
OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, UNLESS IT IS DETERMINED BY A FINAL
AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT OF A COURT THAT IS BINDING ON THE COLLATERAL AGENT
OR
SUCH HOLDER, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THAT SUCH LOSSES WERE THE RESULT OF ACTS OR
OMISSIONS ON THE PART OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR SUCH HOLDERS, AS THE CASE
MAY
BE, CONSTITUTING BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
(e) TO
THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PLEDGOR WAIVES THE POSTING OF ANY
BOND OTHERWISE REQUIRED OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY HOLDER IN CONNECTION
WITH
ANY JUDICIAL PROCESS OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE ANY JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER
PERTAINING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT ENTERED
IN FAVOR OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY HOLDER, OR TO ENFORCE BY SPECIFIC
PERFORMANCE, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER OR PRELIMINARY OR PERMANENT INJUNCTION,
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN THE PLEDGOR,
ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND/OR THE HOLDERS, ON THE OTHER
HAND.
15.15. Effectiveness. This
Pledge Agreement shall become effective upon the issuance of the
Debentures.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent have each caused this
Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above
written.
Pledgor:
PETROHUNTER
ENERGY CORPORATION
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Collateral
Agent:
XXXXX
X. XXXXXX
_____________________________________
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