FORM OF OMNIBUS AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C., SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY, COLORADO INTERSTATE GAS COMPANY AND EL PASO CORPORATION
Exhibit 10.15
FORM OF
BY AND AMONG
EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.,
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY,
COLORADO INTERSTATE GAS COMPANY
AND
EL PASO CORPORATION
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I |
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Definitions |
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1.1
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Definitions | 1 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
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Indemnification |
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2.1
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Environmental Indemnification | 5 | ||||
2.2
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Additional Indemnification | 5 | ||||
2.3
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Limitations Regarding Indemnification | 5 | ||||
2.4
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Indemnification by the Partnership Group | 7 | ||||
2.5
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Indemnification Procedures | 7 | ||||
2.6
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Access Rights | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
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Reimbursement Obligations |
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3.1
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Reimbursement for Operating and General and Administrative Expenses | 8 | ||||
3.2
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Reimbursement for Insurance | 9 | ||||
3.3
|
Reimbursement for State Income, Franchise or Similar Taxes | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
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Guaranty of Certain Expenses Under Intercompany Agreements |
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4.1
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Reimbursement of SNG Guarantee of Xxxx Island Expansion | 9 | ||||
4.2
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Reimbursement of SNG Xxxx Express Expansion | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
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License Agreement |
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5.1
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Grant of License | 10 | ||||
5.2
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Restrictions on Xxxx | 10 | ||||
5.3
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Ownership | 10 | ||||
5.4
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Estoppel | 10 | ||||
5.5
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Indemnification | 10 | ||||
5.6
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Remedies and Enforcement | 11 | ||||
5.7
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In the Event of Termination | 11 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
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Miscellaneous |
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6.1
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Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction | 11 | ||||
6.2
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Notice | 12 | ||||
6.3
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Entire Agreement | 12 | ||||
6.4
|
Termination | 12 | ||||
6.5
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Effect of Waiver or Consent | 12 | ||||
6.6
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Amendment or Modification | 13 | ||||
6.7
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Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries | 13 | ||||
6.8
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Counterparts | 13 |
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6.9
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Severability | 13 | ||||
6.10
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Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections | 13 | ||||
6.11
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Further Assurances | 13 | ||||
6.12
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Withholding or Granting of Consent | 13 | ||||
6.13
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Laws and Regulations | 13 | ||||
6.14
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Negation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees and Third Parties | 14 | ||||
6.15
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No Recourse Against Officers or Directors | 14 |
ii
THIS OMNIBUS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into on, and effective as of, the Closing Date
(as defined herein), and is by and among El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the “MLP”), El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
(“General Partner”), Southern Natural Gas Company, a Delaware general partnership (“SNG”), Colorado
Interstate Gas Company, a Delaware general partnership (“CIG”) and El Paso Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (“El Paso”). The above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this Agreement each
as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
R E C I T A L S:
The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as
more fully set forth in this Agreement, with respect to certain indemnification and reimbursement
obligations of the Parties.
In consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Definitions
1.1 Definitions.
(a) Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the
MLP Agreement.
(b) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set
forth below:
“Agreement” means this Omnibus Agreement, as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Change of Control” means, with respect to any Person (the “Applicable Person”), any of the
following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series
of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the Applicable Person’s assets to any other
Person, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Applicable Person; (ii) the dissolution or liquidation of the
Applicable Person; (iii) the consolidation or merger of the Applicable Person with or into another
Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable
Person are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person are changed into
or exchanged for Voting Securities of the surviving Person or its parent and (b) the holders of the
Voting Securities of the Applicable Person immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or
indirectly, not less than a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving Person
or its parent immediately after such transaction; and (iv) a “person” or “group”
(within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial
owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all of the
then outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person, except (a) El Paso and any affiliates
of El Paso and (b) in a merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control
under clause (iii) above.
“CIG” has the meaning given such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Closing Date” means the date of the closing of the initial public offering of Common Units.
“Covered Environmental Losses” means all Environmental Losses by reason of or arising out of
any violation, event, circumstance, action, omission or condition which occurred before the Closing
Date.
“Xxxx Island LNG Terminal” means a liquefied natural gas receiving and regasification terminal
on Xxxx Island near Savannah, Georgia.
“Xxxx Express” is a pipeline to be constructed primarily in Georgia.
“El Paso” has the meaning given such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“El Paso Entities” means El Paso and any other Person controlled by El Paso other than the
Partnership Group Members. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, direct
or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Environment” means (A) the navigable waters, the waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean
waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United
States under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.],
and (B) any other surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land surface or subsurface
strata, or ambient air within the United States or under the jurisdiction of the United States.
“Environmental Activity” shall mean any investigation, study, assessment, evaluation,
sampling, testing, monitoring, containment, removal, disposal, closure, corrective action,
remediation (regardless of whether active or passive), natural attenuation, restoration,
bioremediation, response, repair, corrective measure, cleanup or abatement that is required or
necessary under any applicable Environmental Law, including, without limitation, institutional or
engineering controls or participation in a governmental voluntary cleanup program to conduct
voluntary investigatory and remedial actions for the clean-up, removal or remediation of Hazardous
Substances that exceed actionable levels established pursuant to Environmental Laws, or
participation in a supplemental environmental project in partial or whole mitigation of a fine or
penalty; provided, however, that Environmental Activity shall not include any
project management or long-term groundwater monitoring performed at the conclusion of or in lieu of
active groundwater remediation or any remediation or corrective action that exceeds risk-based
cleanup standards in effect as of the Closing Date applicable to the current land use of those
properties affected by Releases from the MLP Assets and at non-MLP Asset locations.
2
“Environmental Laws” means all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations,
orders, judgments, ordinances, codes, injunctions, decrees, approvals, Environmental Permits and
other legally enforceable requirements and rules of common law relating to (a) pollution or
protection of the Environment or natural resources, (b) any Release or threatened Release of, or
any exposure of any Person or property to, any Hazardous Substances or (c) the generation,
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport or handling of any
Hazardous Substances; including, without limitation, the federal Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking
Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Federal Hazardous
Materials Transportation Law, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the
National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental conservation and protection laws, each as
amended as of the Closing Date and interpreted by the highest court of competent jurisdiction
through the Closing Date.
“Environmental Losses” means all environmental Losses (including, without limitation, costs
and expenses of any Environmental Activity) of any and every kind or character, by reason of or
arising out of any violation or correction of violation, remedial response action, including,
without limitation, performance of any Environmental Activity, of Environmental Laws (including,
without limitation, the exposure to or presence of Hazardous Substances on, under, about or
migrating to or from the MLP Assets or the exposure to or Release of Hazardous Substances arising
out of operation of the MLP Assets at non-MLP Asset locations, as well as natural resource damages
due to exposure or Release of Hazardous Substances arising out of operation of the MLP Assets on,
under, about or migrating to or from the MLP Assets and at non-MLP Asset locations) including,
without limitation, (i) the cost and expense of any Environmental Activities and (ii) the cost and
expense for any environmental or toxic tort pre-trial, trial or appellate legal or litigation
support work.
“Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license,
registration, consent, exemption, variance or other authorization required under or issued pursuant
to any applicable Environmental Law.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“General Partner” has the meaning given such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Hazardous Substance” means (a) any substance that is designated, defined or classified under
any Environmental Law as a hazardous waste, solid waste, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant
or toxic or hazardous substance, or terms of similar meaning, or that is otherwise regulated under
any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any hazardous substance as defined under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, (b) oil as
defined in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended, including, without limitation, oil, gasoline,
natural gas, fuel oil, motor oil, waste oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum
hydrocarbons and petroleum products, (c) radioactive materials, asbestos containing materials or
polychlorinated biphenyls, and (d) solid and hazardous wastes as defined in the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended.
3
“Indemnified Party” means the Partnership Group or El Paso, as the case may be, in their
capacity as the party or parties entitled to indemnification in accordance with ARTICLE II.
“Indemnifying Party” means the Partnership Group or El Paso, as the case may be, in their
capacity as the party or parties from whom indemnification may be required in accordance with
ARTICLE II.
“Licensee” means, for purposes of ARTICLE V thereof, the MLP.
“Licensor” means, for purposes of ARTICLE V hereof, El Paso.
“Losses” means any losses, damages, liabilities, claims, demands, causes of action, judgments,
settlements, fines, penalties, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and
reasonable attorney’s and experts’ fees) of any and every kind or character.
“Xxxx” means the service xxxx and trade name EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS.
“MLP” has the meaning given such term in the introduction to this Agreement.
“MLP Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
MLP, dated as of the Closing Date, as such agreement is in effect on the Closing Date, to which
reference is hereby made for all purposes of this Agreement. An amendment or modification to the
MLP Agreement subsequent to the Closing Date shall be given effect for the purposes of this
Agreement only if it has received the approval of the Conflicts Committee that would be required,
if any, pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof if such amendment or modification were an amendment or
modification of this Agreement.
“MLP Assets” means the pipelines, processing plants or related equipment or assets, or
portions thereof, conveyed, contributed or otherwise transferred or intended to be conveyed,
contributed or otherwise transferred to any member of the Partnership Group, or owned by, leased by
or necessary for the operation of the business, properties or assets of any member of the
Partnership Group, as of the Closing Date.
“Organizational Documents” means certificates of incorporation, by-laws, certificates of
formation, limited liability company operating agreements, certificates of limited partnership or
limited partnership agreements or other formation or governing documents of a particular entity.
“Partnership Group” means the Partnership, the General Partner and any majority owned
subsidiary.
“Partnership Group Member” means any member of the Partnership Group.
“Party” or “Parties” have the meaning given such terms in the introduction to this Agreement.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited
liability company, unincorporated organization or any other entity.
4
“Release” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or
disposing into the Environment.
“Services” is defined in Section 3.1(a).
“SNG” has the meaning given such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Voting Securities” means securities of any class of a Person entitling the holders thereof to
vote in the election of, or to appoint, members of the board of directors or other similar
governing body of the Person.
ARTICLE II
Indemnification
Indemnification
2.1 Environmental Indemnification. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3 and Section 2.4, El
Paso shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any Covered
Environmental Losses actually incurred by the Partnership Group and by reason of or arising from
the MLP Assets.
2.2 Additional Indemnification. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3 and Section 2.4, El Paso
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any Losses
suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group by reason of or arising from:
(a) the failure of the Partnership Group to be the owner of valid and indefeasible easement
rights, leasehold and/or fee ownership interests in and to the lands on which are located any MLP
Assets, and such failure renders the Partnership Group liable to a third party or unable to use or
operate the MLP Assets in substantially the same manner that the MLP Assets were used and operated
by the El Paso Entities immediately prior to the Closing Date;
(b) the failure of the Partnership Group to have on the Closing Date any consent or
governmental permit necessary to allow (i) the transfer of any of the MLP Assets to the Partnership
Group on the Closing Date or (ii) the Partnership Group to use or operate the MLP Assets in
substantially the same manner that the MLP Assets were owned and operated by the El Paso Entities
immediately prior to the Closing Date; and
(c) all federal, state and local income tax liabilities attributable to the ownership or
operation of the MLP Assets prior to the Closing Date, including (i) any such income tax
liabilities of the Partnership Group that may result from the consummation of the formation
transactions for the Partnership Group occurring on or prior to the Closing Date and (ii) any
income tax liabilities arising under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 and any similar provision
from state, local or foreign applicable law, by contract, as successor, transferred or otherwise
and which income tax is attributable to having been a member of any consolidated, combined or
unitary group prior to the Closing Date.
5
2.3 Limitations Regarding Indemnification.
(a) The indemnification obligations of El Paso set forth in Section 2.1 shall survive until
the third anniversary of the Closing Date and the indemnification obligations of El Paso set forth
in Section 2.2 shall survive (i) until the third anniversary of the Closing Date in the case of
subsections (a) and (b) and (ii) until sixty (60) days after the expiration of any applicable
statute of limitations in the case of subsection (c); provided, however, that any such
indemnification obligation shall remain in full force and effect with respect only to any bona fide
claim, for which supporting documentation in reasonable detail is provided, made thereunder
pursuant to Section 2.5 prior to any such expiration and then only for such period as may be
necessary for the resolution thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
indemnification obligations of El Paso set forth in Section 2.1 with respect to any individual
property shall terminate on the date either (a) a site closure is received by the applicable
regulatory authority having jurisdiction, including any a statement in writing that “no further
action is required at this time,” or a similar closure notice, or (b) if the regulatory authority
does not issue a “no further action is required at this time” letter, then on the date that El Paso
has documented that it is entitled to perform no further action under applicable laws, rules or
regulations and applicable sampling methods.
(b) The aggregate liability of El Paso under Section 2.1 and Section 2.2 shall not exceed $15
million.
(c) No claims may be made against El Paso for indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE II for
individual claims of less than $10,000 and unless the aggregate dollar amount of the Losses
suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group exceed $250,000, after such time El Paso shall be
liable for the amount of such claims in excess of $250,000 subject to the limitations of Section
2.3(b).
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall El Paso have any
indemnification obligations under this Agreement for claims made as a result of additions to or
modifications of Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits (or interpretations thereof by the
applicable governmental authority) after the Closing Date.
(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the liability of El Paso for any
indemnification obligations under this Agreement will be subject to reduction for (i) any insurance
proceeds realized by the Partnership Group with respect to the indemnified matter, net of any
premium that becomes due and payable as a result of such claim, (ii) any amounts recovered by the
Partnership Group under contractual indemnities or otherwise from third Persons, (iii) any amounts
included in the tariffs paid by the customers of the affected MLP Asset and (iv) any amounts paid
to the Partnership Group, or on behalf of the Partnership Group pursuant to this ARTICLE II. The
Partnership Group hereby agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to realize any applicable
insurance proceeds and amounts recoverable under such contractual indemnities.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall El Paso have any
indemnification obligations under this Agreement until the aggregate amount of Losses suffered or
incurred by the Partnership Group exceed (i) any amounts reserved or accrued for such Losses on the
pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership Group as
6
of June 30, 2007 or (ii) in the cases of Losses incurred in respect of CIG or SNG, by any
amounts reserved or accrued for such Losses on the unaudited condensed balance sheet of CIG or SNG
as of June 30, 2007.
2.4 Indemnification by the Partnership Group.
(a) In addition to and not in limitation of the indemnification provided under the MLP
Agreement, the Partnership Group shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the El Paso Entities
from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by the El Paso Entities by reason of or arising
out of events and conditions associated with the operation of the MLP Assets and occurring on or
after the Closing Date, unless in any such case indemnification would not be permitted under the
MLP Agreement by reason of one of the provisos contained in Section 7.7(a) of the MLP Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the liability of the Partnership Group
for any indemnification obligations under this Agreement in respect of CIG or SNG shall not exceed
an amount equal to the product of the Losses suffered by the El Paso Entities with respect to CIG
or SNG multiplied times the Partnership Group’s proportionate ownership percentage in CIG or SNG,
as the case may be.
2.5 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) The Indemnified Party agrees that within thirty (30) days after it becomes aware of facts
giving rise to a claim for indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE II, it will provide notice
thereof in writing to the Indemnifying Party specifying the nature of and specific basis for such
claim; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall not submit claims more frequently than
once a calendar quarter (or twice in the case of the last calendar quarter prior to the expiration
of the applicable indemnity coverage under this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Indemnified Party’s failure to provide notice under this Section 2.5 will not relieve the
Indemnifying Party from liability hereunder with respect to such matter except in the event and
only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure or delay.
(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of (and
any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified Party that are
covered by the indemnification set forth in this ARTICLE II, including, without limitation, the
selection of counsel (provided that if such claim involves Covered Environmental Losses, such
counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party), determination of whether to
appeal any decision of any court, the performance of any Environmental Activity associated with any
Covered Environmental Losses and the settling of any such matter or any issues relating thereto;
provided, however, that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Indemnified Party unless it
includes a full release of the Indemnified Party from such matter or issues, as the case may be.
(c) The Indemnified Party agrees to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party with respect
to all aspects of the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set
7
forth in Article II, including, without limitation, the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying
Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Party may
receive, permitting the names of the Indemnified Party to be utilized in connection with such
defense, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information
of the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and the
making available to the Indemnifying Party of any employees of the Indemnified Party; provided,
however, that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use reasonable efforts to
minimize the impact thereof on the operations of the Indemnified Party and further agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of all files, records and other information furnished by the
Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 2.5. In no event shall the obligation of the
Indemnified Party to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately
preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Party an obligation to hire and
pay for counsel in connection with the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set
forth in this ARTICLE II; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party may, at its own option,
cost and expense, hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense. The Indemnifying
Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Party reasonably informed as to the
status of any such defense, but the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control
over such defense.
2.6 Access Rights. Upon reasonable advance notice, the Partnership Group shall afford to the
directors, officers, employees, accountants, counsel, agents, consultants, auditors and other
authorized representatives of El Paso reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the MLP
Assets in order to conduct any Environmental Activity or to otherwise observe, review or evaluate
any matters for which the Partnership Group may seek indemnification from El Paso pursuant to this
Article II; provided that any such access shall be conducted in a manner so as not
to interfere unreasonably with the operation of the business of the Partnership Group and El Paso
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any losses of the
Partnership Group arising from personal injury or property damage as a result of the access granted
hereby to the directors, officers, employees, accountants, counsel, agents, consultants, auditors
and other authorized representatives of El Paso.
ARTICLE III
Reimbursement Obligations
Reimbursement Obligations
3.1 Reimbursement for Operating and General and Administrative Expenses.
(a) El Paso hereby agrees to continue to provide, or cause to be provided, the Partnership
Group with general and administrative services, such as legal, accounting, treasury, insurance
administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental,
information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering,
that are substantially identical in nature and quality to the services of such type previously
provided by El Paso in connection with its management and operation of the MLP Assets during the
two (2) year period prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the “Services”).
8
(b) The Partnership Group hereby agrees to reimburse El Paso for all direct and indirect
expenses incurred in conjunction with the performance of the Services, including expenditures it
incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group in connection with the business and
operations of the Partnership Group, including, but not limited to, (i) salaries of all El Paso
personnel performing services on the Partnership Group’s behalf and the cost of employee benefits
for such personnel, (ii) public company expenses of the MLP, such as K—1 preparation, external
audit, internal audit, transfer agent and registrar, legal, printing, unitholder reports and other
costs and expenses, (iii) general and administrative expenses, (iv) salaries and benefits of
executive management of the General Partner who are employees of El Paso and (v) any costs and
expenses incurred from third parties performing Services or providing equipment, materials, or
other goods, including contractors, suppliers and vendors.
(c) To the extent El Paso shall have charge or possession of any of the MLP Assets in
connection with the provision of the Services, El Paso shall separately maintain, and not
commingle, the MLP Assets with those of El Paso or any other Person.
3.2 Reimbursement for Insurance. The Partnership Group hereby agrees to reimburse the El Paso
Entities for its allocable portion of the insurance premiums incurred or payments made on behalf of
the Partnership Group for insurance coverage with respect to the MLP Assets.
3.3 Reimbursement for State Income, Franchise or Similar Taxes. The Partnership Group hereby
agrees to reimburse El Paso for any additional state income, franchise or similar tax paid by El
Paso resulting from El Paso’s inclusion of one or more members of the Partnership Group with El
Paso in a consolidated, combined or unitary state income, franchise or similar tax return. With
respect to any such consolidated, combined or unitary income, franchise or similar tax return, the
amount of the Partnership Group’s reimbursement to El Paso shall be equal to the tax that those
Partnership Group members included with El Paso on such tax return would have paid had such
Partnership Group members not been included on such return. Any reimbursement payment required
under this provision will be due within 45 days after El Paso makes the tax payment giving rise to
such reimbursement.
ARTICLE IV
Guaranty of Certain Expenses Under Intercompany Agreements
Guaranty of Certain Expenses Under Intercompany Agreements
4.1 Reimbursement of SNG Guarantee of Xxxx Island Expansion. El Paso hereby agrees to reimburse
the Partnership Group for its ten percent (10%) proportionate share of any amounts to be paid by
SNG under a guaranty by SNG of the performance by Southern LNG Inc. (or its successor) of its
construction contract with CB&I Constructors, Inc. in connection with the expansion of the Xxxx
Island LNG terminal undertaken in [insert in service date].
4.2 Reimbursement of SNG Xxxx Express Expansion. El Paso hereby agrees to reimburse the
Partnership Group for its ten percent (10%) proportionate share of any amounts to be paid by SNG
under a guaranty by SNG of the performance by Southern LNG Inc. of its construction contract with
CB&I Constructors, Inc. in connection with the construction of the Xxxx Express pipeline expansion
undertaken in [insert in service date].
9
ARTICLE V
License Agreement
License Agreement
5.1 Grant of License. Subject to the terms and conditions herein, Licensor hereby grants to
Licensee the right and license to use the Xxxx solely in connection with the Licensee’s business
and the services performed therewith throughout the world during the term of this Agreement.
5.2 Restrictions on Xxxx. In order to ensure the quality of uses under the Xxxx, and to protect
the goodwill of the Xxxx, Licensee agrees as follows:
(a) Licensee will only use the Xxxx in formats approved by Licensor and only in strict
association with the Licensee’s business and the services performed therewith;
(b) Prior to publishing any new format, stylization or appearance of the Xxxx or any
advertising or promotional materials that incorporate the Xxxx, Licensee shall first provide such
format, stylization, appearance or materials to Licensor for its approval. If Licensor does not
inform Licensee in writing within fourteen (14) days from the date of the receipt of such new
format, stylization, appearance, or materials, that such new format, stylization, appearance, or
materials is unacceptable, then such new format, stylization, appearance, or materials shall be
deemed to be acceptable and approved by Licensor. Licensor may withhold approval of any proposed
changes to the format, stylization, appearance or materials which Licensee proposes to use in
Licensor’s sole discretion; and
(c) Licensee shall not use any other trademarks, service marks, trade names or logos in
connection with the Xxxx without prior written approval from Licensee during the term of this
Agreement or use the Xxxx or any trademark or service xxxx confusingly similar to the Xxxx after
the termination of this Agreement. Licensee will not use the Xxxx in such a manner so as to impair
the validity or enforceability or in any way disparage or dilute the Xxxx.
5.3 Ownership. Licensor shall own all rights, title and interest, including all goodwill relating
thereto, in and to the Xxxx, and all service xxxx rights embodied therein shall at all times be
solely vested in Licensor. Licensee have no right, title, interest or claim of ownership in the
Xxxx, except for the license granted in this Agreement. All use of the Xxxx shall inure to the
benefit of Licensor. Licensee agrees that it will not attack the title of Licensor in and to the
Xxxx.
5.4 Estoppel. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel,
or otherwise upon Licensee (a) any license or other right to the intellectual property of Licensor
other than the license granted herein to the Xxxx as set forth expressly herein or (b) any license
rights other than those expressly granted herein.
5.5 Indemnification.
(a) Licensee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, defend, indemnify and
hold harmless the Licensor and its successors and assigns authorized hereunder and any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, from and against any and all
claims, demands, damages, losses, costs and expenses arising out of or related in any way to this
ARTICLE V to the extent such claims are attributable to Licensee’s failure to
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comply with its obligations under this ARTICLE V or Licensee’s negligence or the negligence of
Licensee’s employees, agents, subcontractors or other representatives regarding this ARTICLE V.
(b) Licensor shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, defend, indemnify and
hold harmless Licensee and its successors and assigns authorized hereunder and any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all
claims, demands, damages, losses, costs and expenses arising out of or related in any way to this
ARTICLE V to the extent such claims are attributable to (i) Licensor’s failure to comply with its
obligations under this ARTICLE V, (ii) any claim of infringement or ownership asserted by a third
party as to the Xxxx or (iii) Licensor’s negligence or the negligence of Licensor’s employees,
agents, subcontractors or other representatives regarding this ARTICLE V.
5.6 Remedies and Enforcement. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that a breach by Licensee of its
obligations under this ARTICLE V would cause irreparable harm to Licensor and that monetary damages
would not be adequate to compensate Licensor. Accordingly, Licensee agrees that Licensor shall be
entitled to immediate equitable relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent
injunction, to prevent any threatened, likely or ongoing violation by such Licensee, without the
necessity of posting bond or other security. Licensor’s right to equitable relief shall be in
addition to other rights and remedies available to Licensor for monetary damages or otherwise.
5.7 In the Event of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
6.4 or otherwise, Licensee’s right to utilize the Xxxx licensed under this Agreement shall
automatically cease, and concurrently with such termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall (i)
cease all use of the Xxxx and shall adopt new trademarks, service marks, and trade names that are
not confusingly similar to the Xxxx and (ii) no later than ninety (90) days following the
termination of this Agreement, the General Partner shall have caused the MLP to change its legal
name so that there is no longer any reference therein to the name “El Paso” or “El Paso Pipeline”
or any variation, derivation or abbreviation thereof, and in connection therewith, the General
Partner shall cause the MLP to make all necessary filings of certificates with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware and to otherwise amend its Organizational Documents by such date.
ARTICLE VI
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
6.1 Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by
the laws of the State of Texas, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer
the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state. Each Party
hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Texas and to
venue in Houston, Texas.
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6.2 Notice. All notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to
this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail,
addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified with return receipt
requested or by delivering such notice in person or by fax to such Party. Notice given by personal
delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by fax shall be effective
upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning
of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal
business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or
made at the address set forth below or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the
other Parties in the manner provided in this Section 62.
For notices to the El Paso Entities:
El Paso Corporation
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Legal Department
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Legal Department
For notices to the Partnership Group:
El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C.
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Legal Department
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Legal Department
6.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to
the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or
written, relating to the matters contained herein.
6.4 Termination. This Agreement, other than the provisions set forth in Article II hereof, shall
terminate upon a Change of Control of the General Partner or the MLP, other than any Change of
Control of the General Partner or the MLP that may be deemed to have occurred pursuant to clause
(iv) of the definition of Change of Control solely as a result of a Change of Control of El Paso.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general
partner of the MLP under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Common Units held by the
General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, this Agreement may
immediately thereupon be terminated by El Paso.
6.5 Effect of Waiver or Consent. No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any Party to or of
any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its obligations hereunder
shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other
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breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of
such Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any Person or to
declare any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not
constitute a waiver by such Party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of
limitations period has run.
6.6 Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only
by the written agreement of all the Parties; provided, however, that the MLP may not, without the
prior approval of the Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement
that, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, will have an adverse effect on the
holders of Common Units. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated
on its face an “Amendment” or an “Addendum” to this Agreement.
6.7 Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries. No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Each of
the Parties hereto specifically intends that each entity comprising the El Paso Entities and the
Partnership Group, as applicable, whether or not a Party to this Agreement, shall be entitled to
assert rights and remedies hereunder as third-party beneficiaries hereto with respect to those
provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to any such entity.
6.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same
effect as if all signatory Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be
construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.9 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or
circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement
and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
6.10 Gender, Parts, Articles and Sections. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words
used in this Agreement shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter, and the number of all
words shall include the singular and plural. All references to Article numbers and Section numbers
refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
6.11 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments
and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and
perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
6.12 Withholding or Granting of Consent. Each Party may, with respect to any consent or approval
that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent or approval
in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as
it shall deem appropriate.
6.13 Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no
Party shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement
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if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law,
statute, rule or regulation.
6.14 Negation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees and Third Parties. Except as set forth in
Section 6.7, the provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties, and no limited
partner, member, or assignee of El Paso or the MLP or other Person shall have the right, separate
and apart from El Paso or the MLP, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any
Party to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
6.15 No Recourse Against Officers or Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this
Agreement shall not give rise to any right of recourse against any officer or director of any El
Paso Entity or any Partnership Entity.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the
Closing Date.
EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. |
||||
By: | EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, | |||
L.L.C., its general partner | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
EL PASO CORPORATION |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and General Counsel | |||
COLORADO INTERSTATE GAS COMPANY |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
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