SELLER CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 21, 2008 among PETERSEN ENERGÍA, S.A., as Borrower REPSOL YPF, S.A. as the Seller and THE BANK OF NEW YORK as Collateral Agent
Exhibit
7.06
EXECUTION
COPY
dated
as
of
February
21, 2008
among
XXXXXXXX
ENERGÍA, S.A.,
as
Borrower
REPSOL
YPF, S.A.
as
the
Seller
and
THE
BANK
OF NEW YORK
as
Collateral Agent
$1,015,000,000
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
|
SECTION
1.01.
|
Defined
Terms
|
1
|
SECTION
1.02.
|
Terms
Generally
|
15
|
SECTION
1.03.
|
Accounting
Terms; GAAP; Historical Financial Calculations
|
15
|
ARTICLE
II THE CREDITS
|
16
|
|
SECTION
2.01.
|
The
Commitment
|
16
|
SECTION
2.02.
|
Disbursement
of Loan
|
16
|
SECTION
2.03.
|
Repayment
of Loan; Evidence of Debt
|
16
|
SECTION
2.04.
|
Prepayment
of Loan
|
17
|
SECTION
2.05.
|
Fees
|
18
|
SECTION
2.06.
|
Interest
|
18
|
SECTION
2.07.
|
[Reserved]
|
19
|
SECTION
2.08.
|
[Reserved]
|
19
|
SECTION
2.09.
|
[Reserved]
|
19
|
SECTION
2.10.
|
Taxes
|
19
|
SECTION
2.11.
|
Payments
Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
|
19
|
ARTICLE
III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
|
21
|
|
SECTION
3.01.
|
Organization;
Powers
|
21
|
SECTION
3.02.
|
Authorization;
Enforceability
|
21
|
SECTION
3.03.
|
Governmental
Approvals; No Conflicts
|
22
|
SECTION
3.04.
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
22
|
SECTION
3.05.
|
Properties
|
22
|
SECTION
3.06.
|
Litigation
|
22
|
SECTION
3.07.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
23
|
SECTION
3.08.
|
Compliance
with Agreements; No Default
|
23
|
SECTION
3.09.
|
[Reserved.]
|
23
|
SECTION
3.10.
|
Taxes
|
23
|
SECTION
3.11.
|
Disclosure
|
23
|
SECTION
3.12.
|
Security
Interests; Liens
|
23
|
SECTION
3.13.
|
Capitalization
|
24
|
SECTION
3.14.
|
Subsidiaries
and Investments
|
24
|
SECTION
3.15.
|
Solvency
|
24
|
ARTICLE
IV CONDITIONS
|
24
|
|
ARTICLE
V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
|
26
|
|
SECTION
5.01.
|
Financial
Statements and Other Information
|
26
|
SECTION
5.02.
|
Notices
of Material Events
|
27
|
SECTION
5.03.
|
[Reserved]
|
28
|
SECTION
5.04.
|
Existence;
Preservation of Rights; Conduct of Business
|
28
|
SECTION
5.05.
|
Payment
of Obligations
|
28
|
SECTION
5.06.
|
Books
and Records; Inspection Rights
|
28
|
SECTION
5.07.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
28
|
SECTION
5.08.
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
28
|
SECTION
5.09.
|
[Reserved]
|
28
|
SECTION
5.10.
|
Further
Assurances; Release of Shares from the Collateral
|
29
|
ARTICLE
VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS
|
31
|
|
SECTION
6.01.
|
Indebtedness
|
31
|
SECTION
6.02.
|
Liens
|
31
|
SECTION
6.03.
|
Fundamental
Changes; Dispositions
|
32
|
SECTION
6.04.
|
Lines
of Business
|
32
|
SECTION
6.05.
|
Subsidiaries
and Investments
|
32
|
SECTION
6.06.
|
Restricted
Payments
|
32
|
SECTION
6.07.
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
33
|
SECTION
6.08.
|
Termination
or Modification of Certain Documents
|
34
|
SECTION
6.09.
|
Acquisitions
of Additional Shares
|
34
|
ARTICLE
VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT
|
34
|
|
ARTICLE
VIII THE COLLATERAL AGENT and LENDERS
|
38
|
|
ARTICLE
IX MISCELLANEOUS
|
42
|
|
SECTION
9.01.
|
Notices;
Electronic Communications
|
42
|
SECTION
9.02.
|
Waivers;
Amendments
|
43
|
SECTION
9.03.
|
Waiver
of Consequential Damages
|
45
|
SECTION
9.04.
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
45
|
SECTION
9.05.
|
Survival
|
47
|
SECTION
9.06.
|
Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness
|
47
|
SECTION
9.07.
|
Severability
|
47
|
SECTION
9.08.
|
Right
of Setoff
|
47
|
SECTION
9.09.
|
Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Etc
|
48
|
SECTION
9.10.
|
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
|
49
|
SECTION
9.11.
|
Waiver
of Immunity
|
49
|
SECTION
9.12.
|
Judgment
Currency
|
49
|
SECTION
9.13.
|
Headings
|
50
|
SECTION
9.14.
|
Confidentiality
|
50
|
SCHEDULE
I
|
–
|
Commitment
|
-
ii -
SCHEDULE
II
|
–
|
Lender’s
Account
|
|
EXHIBIT
A
|
–
|
Form
of Assignment and Assumption
|
|
EXHIBIT
B
|
–
|
Form
of Purchase Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
C
|
–
|
Form
of Shareholders Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
D
|
–
|
Form
of Senior Term Loan Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
E
|
–
|
Form
of Intercreditor Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
F
|
–
|
Form
of Security Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
G
|
–
|
Form
of Promissory Note
|
|
EXHIBIT
H
|
–
|
Form
of Process Agent Acceptance
|
-
iii
-
SELLER
CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 21, 2008, among XXXXXXXX ENERGÍA,
S.A., a special purpose company incorporated under the law of the Kingdom of
Spain with Spanish Tax Number A-85.174.621 (the “Borrower”), REPSOL YPF,
S.A. (the “Seller”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Collateral
Agent.
WHEREAS,
the Borrower has requested that the Senior Lenders (as defined below) make
a
loan to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding
$1,026,000,000, to permit the Borrower to, among other things, pay a portion
of
the purchase price in respect of the Acquisition (as defined below);
and
WHEREAS,
concurrently with the closing of the financing provided to the Borrower by
the
Senior Lenders, the Seller is prepared to extend credit to the Borrower upon
the
terms and conditions hereof, and, accordingly, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Defined Terms. As
used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified
below:
“2006
Dividend” means the dividend declared by the shareholders’ meeting of the
Company on February 7, 2008 in an amount equal to 10.76 Argentine Pesos per
share, to be paid on February 29, 2008.
“Acquired
Shares” means 58,603,606 Class D shares of the Company (and/or American
Depositary Shares representing such shares).
“Acquisition”
means the acquisition by the Borrower of the Acquired Shares, together with
the
right to receive certain dividends, pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement.
“Additional
Seller Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness of the Borrower (a) owing
to the Seller or owing to any other Person and fully guaranteed by the Seller,
(b) subordinated to the Senior Loans on terms substantially similar to the
terms of this Agreement (except that no Collateral will be released by the
Senior Lenders to be pledged to secure such Indebtedness), (c) subject to
the Intercreditor Agreement, (d) in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $250,000,000 and (e) the proceeds of which are used to finance
the purchase of additional Shares by the Borrower.
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by
or
is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Agents”
means the Collateral Agent and any other agent for the Lenders appointed by
the
Lenders (with the consent of the Borrower).
“Annual
Collateral Coverage Ratio” means, for any fiscal year of the Company, the
ratio of (a) (i) prior to the date of the first initial public
offering of the Class D shares of the Company following the Closing Date, the
Share Collateral Value as at the last day of such fiscal year and
(ii) after the date of the first initial public offering of the Class D
shares of the Company following the Closing Date, the Share Collateral Value
as
at the sixth Business Day after the Company has made publicly available its
audited financial statements for such fiscal year to (b) the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loans (and any Indebtedness under
any
Permitted Refinancing) on the sixth Business Day after the Company has made
publicly available its audited financial statements for such fiscal
year.
“Antitrust
Commission” means (i) the Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia
and the Secretaría de Comercio Interior of Argentina or the
Secretaría de Industria, Comercio y Minería of Argentina, (ii) the
Tribunal Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia of Argentina, in the
event the latter is established, or (iii) any other Governmental Authority
that
succeeds to the functions of any of the foregoing.
“Argentina”
means the Republic of Argentina.
“Argentine
GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in
Argentina.
“Argentine
Pesos” or “AR$” refers to lawful money of Argentina.
“Asset
Taxes” means the aggregate amount payable by the shareholders of Holdings in
respect of personal asset taxes (or equivalent taxes) solely in connection
with
the ownership of the Borrower and indirectly the Shares for any fiscal year
of
such shareholders, provided that the amount of such personal assets taxes
(or equivalent taxes) for any fiscal year that shall constitute “Asset Taxes”
hereunder shall not exceed (i) $2,500,000 for the fiscal year of such
shareholders ending in 2008, (ii) $5,000,000 for the fiscal year of such
shareholders ending in 2009, (iii) $6,500,000 for the fiscal year of such
shareholders ending in 2010, (iv) $8,500,000 for the fiscal year of such
shareholders ending in 2011 and (v) $11,000,000 for the fiscal year of such
shareholders ending in 2012.
“Assigned
Dividend” means the right of the Borrower to receive payment of a portion of
the 2006 Dividend equal to the proportion that the Acquired Shares bears in
relation to all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
multiplied by the 2006 Dividend, which right the Borrower has assigned to
the Seller as consideration for a portion of the purchase price of the Acquired
Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
“Assignment
and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by
a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 9.04), in the form of Exhibit A or any other form
approved by the Lenders and the Borrower.
“Australia”
means the Commonwealth of Australia.
“Borrower”
has the meaning assigned to such term in the recital of parties
hereto.
“Business
Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in New York, New York, London, England, Madrid, Spain or Buenos
Aires, Argentina are authorized or required by law to remain closed and that
is
also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the London
interbank market.
“Capital
Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay
rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the
right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which
obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases
on
a balance sheet of such Person under the applicable generally accepted
accounting principles, and the amount of such obligations shall be the
capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with the applicable
generally accepted accounting principles.
“Cash
Equivalents” means any one or more of the following securities or
obligations with a maturity date of no later than the Business Day prior to
the
Payment Date immediately following the date of acquisition thereof:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed as to timely
payment of principal and interest by, the United States, the United Kingdom,
Spain, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, or any agency
or
instrumentality thereof, provided that at the time of investment each such
obligation is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the
United Kingdom, Spain, the French Republic, or the Federal Republic of Germany,
as applicable; or (b) readily marketable investments in mutual funds (including
funds for which an Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates
acts as investment adviser or manager), or other types of securities offering
full principal protection at maturity which seek to maintain a constant net
asset value and which are rated at the time of investment “AA” by S&P and
“Aa2” by Xxxxx’x (or, in each case, the equivalent thereof for mutual funds); or
(c) demand deposits, including interest bearing money market accounts, time
deposits, trust funds, trust accounts, overnight bank deposits, interest-bearing
deposits, and certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances of depository
institutions, including an Agent or any Lender or any of their respective
Affiliates, which are rated at the time of investment “AA” by S&P and “Aa2”
by Xxxxx’x (or, in each case, the equivalent thereof).
“Change
of Control” means (a) prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date,
the Eskenazi Family and Affiliates controlled by one or more of the Eskenazis
shall fail to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the voting common stock
of
the Borrower (subject to the applicable exceptions set forth in the Shareholders
Agreement) and (b) on and after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date,
the
Eskenazi Family and Affiliates controlled by one or more of the Eskenazis shall
fail to own, directly or indirectly, 60% of the voting common stock of the
Borrower.
“Closing
Date” means the date (which shall be a Business Day) on which the conditions
specified in Article IV are satisfied (or waived in accordance with
Section 9.02).
“Collateral”
means all property of the Borrower purported to be covered by the Security
Documents.
“Collateral
Agent” means The Bank of New York, in its capacity as collateral agent for
the Lenders under the Security Documents.
“Collateral
Agent’s Account – Senior Lenders” means the “Collateral Agent’s Account”, as
such term is defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement.
“Collateral
Coverage Ratio” means, as at any date of determination, the ratio of
(a) the Share Collateral Value as at such date of determination to
(b) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loans on such
date of determination.
“Commitment”
means $1,015,000,000.
“Company”
means YPF Sociedad Anónima, a sociedad anónima organized under the laws
of Argentina.
“Control”
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the
ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings
correlative thereto.
“Corporate
Trust Office” shall mean, with respect to the Collateral Agent, its
principal corporate trust office at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0-Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, 00000 Attn: Global Trust Services, (FAX
No. (000) 000-0000 or 5803) or such other office as the Collateral Agent may
inform the other parties hereof from time to time.
“Debt
Incurrence” means the incurrence by the Borrower after the Closing Date of
any Indebtedness other than Permitted Subordinated Debt and Additional Seller
Subordinated Debt.
“Debt
Service Reserve Account” has the meaning set forth in the Senior Term Loan
Agreement.
“Default”
means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which,
with the giving of notice, or the passage of time or the making of any
determination (or any combination of the foregoing) would, unless cured or
waived, become an Event of Default.
“Disposition
of Shares” means any sale, transfer or other disposition (other than any
release pursuant to Section 5.10(b)) of, or any capital reduction in
respect of, any Shares.
“Dollars”
or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States.
“EBITDAX”
means, for any period, with respect to the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication, the sum of
(a) operating revenues minus (b) operating costs and expenses
(including sales and administrative expenses, taxes other than income tax
(impuesto a las ganancias)) plus (c) amortization,
depreciation, depletion and exploration expense (to the extent included in
operating expenses) plus (d) income from long-term investments, in
each case determined in accordance with Argentine GAAP.
“ECF
Sweep Percentage” means (a) (i) prior to and including May 15, 2013,
for any Measurement Period other than the first Measurement Period,
(x) 75%, with respect to any amount of Excess Cash Flow up to $28,650,000
for such Measurement Period and (y) 100%,
with
respect to any amount of Excess Cash Flow in excess of $28,650,000 for such
Measurement Period, (ii) for the Measurement Period commencing on May 16, 2013
and ending on (and including) November 15, 2013, 65%, and (iii) for any
Measurement Period commencing on or following November 16, 2013, 50% of Excess
Cash Flow, and (b) for the first Measurement Period after the date hereof,
(x) 75%, with respect to any amount of Excess Cash Flow up to the product
of $57,300,000 multiplied by the number of days in such
Measurement Period divided by 365 and (y) 100%, with respect
to any amount of Excess Cash Flow in excess of the product of $57,300,000
multiplied by the number of days in such Measurement Period
divided by 365.
“Equity
Contribution” means the contribution by Holdings to the Borrower as common
equity made in connection with the Acquisition of an aggregate amount of not
less than $110,000,000 in cash and/or cash equivalents.
“Equity
Issuance” means (a) any issuance or sale by the Borrower after the
Closing Date of (i) any of its capital stock, (ii) any warrants or
options exercisable in respect of its capital stock or (iii) any other
security or instrument representing an equity interest (or the right to obtain
any equity interest) in the Borrower or (b) the receipt by the Borrower
after the Closing Date of any capital contribution (whether or not evidenced
by
any equity security issued by the recipient of such contribution), including
any
Specified Equity Contribution, provided that the term “Equity Issuance”
shall not include any capital contribution made by Holdings to the
Borrower the
proceeds of which are used by the Borrower to acquire Excluded Shares or Pledged
Shares.
“Equity
Rights” means, with respect to any Person, any subscriptions, options,
warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including
any shareholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale,
registration or voting of, or securities convertible into, any additional shares
of capital stock of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests
of
any type in, such Person.
“Xxxxxxxx
Family” means, collectively, (a) the Eskenazis, (b) the spouse or
any lineal descendant (including adopted children) of any of the Eskenazis
(collectively, the “Spouses and Descendants”), (c) any trust solely
for the benefit of any one or more of the Eskenazis or any of the Spouses and
Descendants, (d) any family trust, partnership or limited liability company
established solely for the benefit of any one or more of the Eskenazis or any
of
the Spouses and Descendants, or for estate planning purposes, of any of the
Eskenazis and (e) the heirs, executors, administrators, guardian or
conservator of an Xxxxxxxx or of a trust under any of an Xxxxxxxx’x will and
following the death or disability of that Eskenazi.
“Eskenazis”
means, collectively, Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx. Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx and Xx. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx.
“Event
of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Article VII.
“Excess
Cash Flow” means, (1) for any Measurement Period prior to the Senior Debt
Discharge Date:
(a) the
sum of the following amounts, to the extent credited to the Collateral Agent’s
Account – Senior Lenders on or prior to 5:00 p.m., London time, on the Business
Day immediately preceding the last day of such Measurement
Period: (i) the aggregate amount of cash dividends and
other cash distributions (other than (x) distributions resulting from any
capital reduction and (y) the Assigned Dividend) received by the Borrower
during such Measurement Period in respect of the Shares (including from Pledged
Shares), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of payments received by the
Borrower under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement during such Measurement Period
plus (iii) the aggregate amount of any earnings on amounts on
deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account representing Excess Reserve Amount
transferred to the Collateral Agent’s Account – Senior Lenders on the Business
Day prior to the last day of such Measurement Period pursuant to the first
sentence of Section 2.12(d)(ii) of the Senior Term Loan Agreement
plus (iv) the aggregate amount of earnings on amounts on deposit in
the Collateral Agent’s Account – Senior Lenders during such Measurement
Period
minus
(b) the
sum of (i) the aggregate amount of cash interest payments and scheduled
principal payments in respect of the Senior Loans and Indebtedness under any
Permitted Refinancing, in each case paid by the Borrower during such Measurement
Period plus (ii) the aggregate amount of payments (including
Restricted Payments in respect of Asset Taxes made by the Borrower during such
Measurement Period plus (iii) the aggregate amount of Permitted
Borrower Expenses for such Measurement Period plus (iv) the
aggregate amount of fees, expenses and other amounts, in each case paid or
payable by the Borrower under the Transaction Documents (as defined in the
Senior Term Loan Agreement, other than this Agreement) during such Measurement
Period (other than fees, expenses and other amounts paid on the Closing Date);
and
(2)
following the Senior Debt Discharge Date:
(a) the
sum of the following amounts: (i) the aggregate amount of
cash dividends and other cash distributions (other than distributions resulting
from any capital reduction) received by the Borrower during such Measurement
Period in respect of the Shares, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of
payments received by the Borrower under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement during
such Measurement Period
minus
(b) the
sum of (i) the aggregate amount of cash interest payments and scheduled
principal payments in respect of the Loan, in each case paid by the Borrower
during such Measurement Period plus (ii) the aggregate amount of
payments (including Restricted Payments in respect of Asset Taxes) made by
the
Borrower during such Measurement Period plus (iii) the aggregate
amount Permitted Borrower Expenses for such Measurement Period.
“Excess
Reserve Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Senior Term Loan
Agreement.
Seller
Credit Agreement
-
6
-
“Excluded
Shares” means any Shares pledged, or permitted hereunder to be pledged,
to secure exclusively the Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Term
Loan Agreement; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any Shares
released from the collateral securing the Senior Loans pursuant to Section
5.10(b) of the Senior Term Loan Agreement shall not be deemed to be “Excluded
Shares” and shall be deemed to be “Pledged Shares”.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in Spain.
“Governmental
Authority” means the government of any nation, or any political subdivision
thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions
of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee”
of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing any Indebtedness, other obligation
or
the payment of dividends or other distribution on the stock or equity interests
of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct
or
indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase
(or
to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment
thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the
purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the
payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any
other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so
as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation,
(d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of
guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation or (e) entered
into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holder of such
Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such holder against loss
in
respect thereof (in whole or in part).
“Hedging
Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency
exchange protection agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other
interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging
arrangement.
“Holdings”
means Xxxxxxxx Energía Pty Ltd., a special purpose company incorporated under
the laws of Australia, or any other Person that shall succeed to the rights
and
obligations of Xxxxxxxx Energía Pty Ltd. pursuant to Section 13 of the
Holdings Existing Shares Pledge Agreement, in which case the term “Holdings”
shall mean solely such other Person.
“Holdings
Existing Shares Pledge Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Senior
Term Loan Agreement.
“Indebtedness”
of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such
Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind,
(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such
Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred
purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable
incurred in the
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ordinary
course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for
which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such
Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed,
(f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all
Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent
or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit
and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise,
of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness
of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including
any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person
is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other
relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such
Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
“Intercreditor
Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of February 21, 2008
among the Borrower, the Seller, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent
and the Intercreditor Agent named therein, in the form of Exhibit
E.
“Interest
Rate Cap Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Senior Term Loan
Agreement.
“Investment”
means any investment in any Person, whether by means of: (a) the
acquisition (whether for cash, property, services or securities or otherwise)
of
capital stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or other ownership
interests or other securities of any other Person or any agreement to make
any
such acquisition (including any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a
time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such sale);
(b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of
credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of property from another
Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to
resell such property to such Person); (c) the entering into of any
Guarantee of, or other contingent obligation with respect to, Indebtedness
or
other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount
committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person; (d) the entering
into of any Hedging Agreement; (e) any purchase or other acquisition of
Indebtedness or the assets of such Person; (f) any capital contribution to
such Person; (g) any other direct or indirect investment in such Person,
including any acquisition by way of a merger or consolidation, and any
arrangement pursuant to which the investor incurs Indebtedness of the type
referred to in clause (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness” in respect of
such Person.
“Junior
Pledge Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Security
Agreement.
“Lender’s
Account” means the account of each Lender set forth in Schedule
II. Each Lender may update from time to time its account information
set forth in Schedule II by providing notice in writing to the
Borrower.
“Lenders”
means the Seller and any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant
to an
Assignment and Assumption in accordance with Section 9.04, other than any such
Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and
Assumption.
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“Lien”
means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien,
pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of
such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional
sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing
lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing)
relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase
option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such
securities.
“Loan”
means the term loan made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement; provided however, that in the event that (i) the
Assigned Dividend, when actually paid to the Seller in Dollars, is an amount
greater than $201,150,000, then the Loan shall be deemed to be reduced by an
amount equal to the amount by which the Assigned Dividend exceeds $201,150,000,
or (ii) the Assigned Dividend, when actually paid to the Seller in Dollars,
is
an amount less than $201,150,000, then the Loan shall be deemed to be increased
by an amount equal to the amount by which $201,150,000 exceeds the Assigned
Dividend.
“Loan
Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement,
the Security Documents and each other agreement delivered to the Collateral
Agent or any Lender, acting in such capacities, in furtherance or pursuant
to
any of the foregoing.
“Majority
Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders representing more than 50% of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loan at such time.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business,
assets, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower,
(b) the ability of the Borrower or Holdings to perform any of their
respective obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
to which it is a party, (c) the rights of or remedies available to the
Agents and the Lenders with respect to the Collateral under this Agreement
or
the other Loan Documents or (d) the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
“Material
Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan) of the Borrower, or
obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, in an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining
Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the
Borrower in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum
aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower
would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such
time.
“Maturity
Date” means February 21, 2018, provided that, if such date shall not
be a Business Day, then the Maturity Date shall be the immediately preceding
Business Day.
“Measurement
Period” means, initially, the period commencing on (and including) the
Closing Date and ending on (and including) the Payment Date (as defined in
the
Senior Term Loan Agreement) falling on or nearest to May 15, 2008 and
thereafter, each six-month period ending on May 15 and November 15 of each
year,
commencing on (and including) the day following the last day of the prior
Measurement Period and ending on (but excluding) the first day of the next
Measurement Period occurring thereafter. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,
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until
the
Senior Debt Discharge Date, the Measurement Periods hereunder shall commence
and
end concurrently with the Measurement Periods under and as defined in the Senior
Finance Documents.
“Xxxxx’x”
means Xxxxx’x Investors Services, Inc.
“Net
Cash Proceeds” means:
(a) in
the case of any Disposition of Shares, the aggregate amount of all cash payments
received by the Borrower, directly or indirectly in connection with such
Disposition of Shares, net of (i) the amount of any legal expenses,
commissions and other fees and expenses paid by the Borrower in connection
with
such Disposition of Shares and (ii) any income or other taxes estimated to
be payable by the Borrower as a result of such Disposition of Shares (but only
to the extent that such estimated taxes are in fact paid to the relevant
Governmental Authority when due);
(b) in
the case of any Debt Incurrence, the aggregate amount of all cash received
by
the Borrower in respect of such Debt Incurrence, net of (i) any applicable
withholding taxes payable by the Borrower not later than the effective date
of
such Debt Incurrence and (ii) expenses (including any banking fees, costs
and other customary expenses) incurred by the Borrower in connection with
therewith; and
(c) in
the case of any Equity Issuance, the aggregate amount of all cash received
by
the Borrower in respect of such Equity Issuance, net of expenses incurred by
the
Borrower in connection therewith.
“Payment
Date” means each of the dates falling, respectively, on May 15 and November
15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2013, to and including the Maturity
Date;
provided that, if any such date shall not be a Business Day, the relevant
Payment Date shall be the immediately following Business Day.
“Permitted
Borrower Expenses” means, for any Measurement Period, the amount of
documented expenses incurred during such Measurement Period, or estimated to
be
incurred in respect of the immediately following Measurement Period, by the
Borrower or Holdings not in excess of $2,000,000 (or, in the case of the first
Measurement Period, $4,000,000 multiplied by the number of days in
such Measurement Period divided by 365) in the aggregate for the
Borrower and Holdings, provided that a portion not in excess of $200,000
in the aggregate for the Borrower and Holdings of the Permitted Borrower
Expenses for any Measurement Period may be estimated and advanced in respect
of
the immediately following Measurement Period.
“Permitted
Encumbrances” means Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges that are not yet due, payable or delinquent or are being
contested in compliance with Section 5.05.
“Permitted
Excluded Shares Liens” means Liens in favor of the Senior Lenders and the
Agents (as defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement) securing Indebtedness
of
the Borrower under the Senior Term Loan Agreement on Excluded
Shares.
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“Permitted
Holdings Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Holdings all of the proceeds of
which are contributed to the common equity of the Borrower and used by the
Borrower to acquire Excluded Shares or Pledged Shares.
“Permitted
Refinancing” means Indebtedness incurred to repay all of the outstanding
Indebtedness under the Senior Term Loan Agreement, provided that (i) the
proceeds of such Indebtedness shall be used exclusively to repay the outstanding
Indebtedness under the Senior Term Loan Agreement together with any interest
accrued thereon and other amounts due and payable thereunder, (ii) except upon
the occurrence and continuation of a payment default of such Indebtedness
(subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), the Indebtedness under
this Agreement shall be entitled to receive scheduled cash payments
of interest, principal and other amounts from May 15, 2013 even if such
refinancing Indebtedness remains outstanding, (iii) immediately prior to the
incurrence of such Indebtedness no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, nor would a Default result upon or following the incurrence thereof,
and (iv) such Indebtedness shall not contain terms or conditions that are more
onerous in any respect than the terms and conditions under the Senior Term
Loan
Agreement and shall be on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the
Borrower and the Seller.
“Permitted
Refinancing Excluded Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section
5.10(c).
“Permitted
Shares
Disposition” means a
“Permitted
Excluded
Shares Disposition” as
defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement.
“Permitted
Subordinated Debt” means subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to
Holdings which (a) does not require or permit any payments (whether in cash
or other property except capitalization of interest) for so long as the Loan
hereunder remains outstanding (other than as permitted pursuant to Section
6.06(c)), (b) does not mature and may not be repaid, redeemed or acquired
prior one year and one day (or, if later, any applicable preference period
plus one day) following the repayment of the Loan hereunder, (c) may
not be accelerated for so long as the Loan hereunder remains outstanding, and
(d) is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.
“Person”
means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other
entity.
“Pledged
Shares” means any Shares (a) pledged, or required to be pledged, to
secure exclusively the Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement and
(b) pledged, or required to be pledged, to secure exclusively the
Indebtedness of the Borrower under, and acquired with the proceeds of, any
Additional Seller Subordinated Debt owing to the Seller.
“Process
Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.09(d).
“Process
Agent Acceptance” means a letter from the Process Agent to the Seller,
substantially in the form of Exhibit H or any other form approved by the
Seller.
“Purchase
Agreement” means the Contrato de Compraventa de Acciones dated
February 21, 2008 between the Borrower and the Seller, in the form of
Exhibit B.
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“Refinancing
Released Security” has the meaning set forth in Section
5.10(d).
“Regulation
U Bank” means a bank, financial institution or other institutional lender
that is formed under the laws of, or operating through a branch in, the United
States, any State thereof, any possession thereof or the District of
Columbia.
“Related
Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and
advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release
Ratio Level” means (a) with respect to the fiscal year of the Company
ending on December 31, 2008, 3.0 to 1.0, (b) with respect to the fiscal
year of the Company ending on December 31, 2009, 2.75 to 1.0, and
(c) with respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending thereafter, 2.5
to 1.0.
“Released
Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section
5.10(b).
“Required
Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders representing at least 66-2/3% of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loan at such time.
“Responsible
Officer” shall mean when used with respect to the Collateral Agent, any
officer within the corporate trust department of the Collateral Agent, including
any director, any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary,
trust officer or any other officer of the Collateral Agent who customarily
performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at such time
shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust
matter is referred because of such person's knowledge of and familiarity with
the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the
Collateral Agent's duties hereunder.
“Restricted
Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash,
securities or other property) with respect to any shares of any class of capital
stock of the Borrower, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other
property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the
purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination
of
any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower or any option, warrant or
other
right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower and
(b) any payment made by the Borrower to purchase, repay, prepay, redeem,
retire or otherwise acquire for value, or set apart any money for a sinking,
defeasance or other analogous fund for the purchase, repayment, prepayment,
redemption, retirement or other acquisition of, or make any prepayment of
interest on, or any other amount owing in respect of, any Indebtedness under
any
Permitted Subordinated Debt.
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Division of The McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.
“Security
Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of February 21,
2008 between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, in the form of
Exhibit F.
“Security
Documents” means the Security Agreement and, if and when executed and
delivered, the Junior Pledge Agreement.
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“Seller”
has the meaning assigned to such term in the recital of parties
hereto.
“Senior
Collateral Agent” means the “Collateral Agent” as such term is
defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement.
“Senior
Debt Discharge Date” has the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor
Agreement.
“Senior
Finance Documents” has the meaning set forth in the Intercreditor
Agreement.
“Senior
Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the Senior Term Loan
Agreement.
“Senior
Loans” means the term loans made by the Senior Lenders to the Borrower
pursuant to the Senior Term Loan Agreement.
“Senior
Officer” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s chief executive
officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or
controller.
“Senior
Term Loan Agreement” means the $1,026,000,000 loan agreement dated as of
February 21, 2008, between the Borrower, the Senior Lenders, Credit Suisse,
London Branch, as Administrative Agent, and HSBC Bank plc, as Senior Collateral
Agent, in the form of Exhibit D hereto.
“Share
Collateral Value” means
(a) as
at any date of determination occurring prior to or within five Business Days
after the date of the first initial public offering of the Class D shares of
the
Company after the Closing Date, the product of (i) the excess, if any, of
(x) the product of 4.37 multiplied by the EBITDAX of the
Company for the period of four fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended
prior to such date of determination over (y) the sum of (I) the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company as of the last day of such
four-quarter period determined in accordance with Argentine GAAP plus
(II) minority interest as reported in the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet as of the last day of such four-quarter period determined in accordance
with Argentine GAAP minus (III) the aggregate amount of all cash and
cash equivalents held by the Company as of the last day of such four-quarter
period determined in accordance with Argentine GAAP plus (IV) prior
to the payment of the 2006 Dividend, the excess of the amount of the
2006 Dividend as declared by the Company over $836,000,000,
multiplied by (ii) the quotient of the number of Shares
included in the collateral securing the Indebtedness under the Senior Term
Loan
Agreement on such date of determination divided by the total
number of shares of common stock of the Company outstanding on such date of
determination; and
(b) as
at any date of determination occurring after five Business Days after the date
of the first initial public offering of the Class D shares of the Company
after the Closing Date, the product of (i) the daily average of the closing
prices for the Class D shares (or American Depositary Shares representing
such shares) on the New York Stock
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Exchange
for each day during the period of five consecutive Business Days immediately
preceding such date of determination multiplied by (ii) the
number of Shares included in the collateral securing the Indebtedness under
the
Senior Term Loan Agreement on such date of determination,
provided
that the Share Collateral Value as at the Closing Date shall be deemed to be
equal to the product of (A) the excess of $15,836,000,000 over the
amount of the 2006 Dividend as declared by the Company multiplied
by (B) the quotient of the number of Shares included in the
collateral securing the Indebtedness under the Senior Term Loan Agreement on
the
Closing Date divided by the total number of shares of common stock
of the Company outstanding on the Closing Date. For purposes of
clause (a) above and the proviso to this definition, the 2006 Dividend
shall be deemed to have been declared in an amount equal to
$1,350,000,000.
“Shareholders
Agreement” means the Acuerdo Entre Accionistas dated February 21,
2008 between the Borrower and the Seller, in the form of Exhibit C.
“Shares”
means, collectively, the Acquired Shares and any other equity interests in
the
Company held by the Borrower, including American Depositary Shares representing
such Acquired Shares or other equity interests.
“Spain”
means the Kingdom of Spain.
“Specified
Equity Contributions” means cash made available to the Borrower in the form
of (a) common equity, (b) preferred equity that does not require or
permit any cash payments and is not redeemable prior to the date that is one
year and one day (or, if later, any applicable preference period plus one
day) following the repayment of the Loan hereunder and has subordination terms
and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders or
(c) Permitted Subordinated Debt, but in each case solely to the extent
contributed (in the case of clauses (a) and (b) above) or paid (in the
case of clause (c) above) to the Borrower within five Business Days after
any breach of Section 6.11 of the Senior Term Loan Agreement.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the
parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were
prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
(a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than
50%
of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case
of a
partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of
such
date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise
Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the
parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. When used with
respect to the Borrower, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company.
“Taxes”
means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
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“Transaction
Documents” means, collectively, each of the Loan Documents, the Purchase
Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement and the Senior Finance
Documents.
“Transactions”
means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by (x) the Borrower
of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Borrower
is
intended to be a party and (y) by Holdings of the Transaction Documents to
which it is a party, (b) the borrowing of the Loan hereunder and the use of
the proceeds thereof as permitted hereby, (c) the making of the Equity
Contribution, (d) the consummation of the Acquisition and the Borrower
being capable of exercising its rights as shareholder of the
Company.
“United
States” means the United States of America.
SECTION
1.02. Terms Generally. The
definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms
of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter
forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be
deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word
“will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word
“shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any
definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein
shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document
as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (without
limiting any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications
set
forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to
include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”,
“hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to
refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision
hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and
Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits
and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property”
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any
and
all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities,
accounts and contract rights.
SECTION
1.03. Accounting Terms; GAAP; Historical
Financial Calculations. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial
nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP or, if such terms relate
to
the Company, Argentine GAAP, in each case as in effect from time to time;
provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Lenders that the Borrower
requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any
change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof
on
the operation of such provision, regardless of whether any such notice is given
before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such
provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied
immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice
shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance
herewith.
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ARTICLE
II
THE
CREDITS
SECTION
2.01. The Commitment.
(a) Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Seller agrees to make a Loan
to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount not exceeding its
Commitment. Amounts prepaid or repaid in respect of the Loan may not
be reborrowed.
(b) Unless
previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate at the earlier to occur
of the following: (i) 5:00 p.m., London time, on February 26,
2008; (ii) the termination of the commitments of the Senior Lenders to make
Senior Loans pursuant to the terms of the Senior Term Loan Agreement other
than
as a result of the disbursement of the Senior Loans; and (iii) the disbursement
of the Loan.
SECTION
2.02. Disbursement of Loan.
The
Loan shall represent credit
provided by the Seller to the Borrower for use against the purchase by the
Borrower of the Acquired Shares from the Seller, in accordance with the terms
of
the Purchase Agreement. The Loan shall be deemed to be made by the
Seller on the Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this
Agreement. The Loan shall not be disbursed in
cash. The Borrower shall, on the Closing Date, acknowledge to the
Seller in writing application of the proceeds of the Loan in accordance with
the
terms of the Purchase Agreement.
SECTION
2.03. Repayment of Loan; Evidence of Debt.
(a) Repayment. The
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Lenders the outstanding
principal amount of the Loan on each Payment Date set forth below in the
aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such Payment Date:
Payment
Date
|
Amount
|
May
15, 2013
|
$45,500,000
|
November
15, 2013
|
$45,500,000
|
May
15, 2014
|
$45,500,000
|
November
15, 2014
|
$45,500,000
|
May
15, 2015
|
$46,000,000
|
November
15, 2015
|
$46,000,000
|
May
15, 2016
|
$46,000,000
|
November
15, 2016
|
$46,000,000
|
May
15, 2017
|
$46,000,000
|
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November
15, 2017
|
$46,000,000
|
Maturity
Date
|
the
aggregate principal
amount
of
the Loan outstanding
on the
Maturity
Date
|
provided
that any partial prepayment of the Loan shall be applied to reduce ratably
the
subsequent scheduled repayments of the Loan. To the extent not
previously paid, the outstanding principal amount of the Loan shall be due
and
payable on the Maturity Date.
In
the
event the amount of the principal amount of the Loan is increased or reduced
(as
provided in the proviso to the definition of “Loan” hereunder), then the
principal installments detailed in this Section 2.3(a) shall be increased or
reduced (as applicable) in an amount that is proportional to such increase
or
reduction of the Loan.
(b) Maintenance
of Records by Lenders. Each Lender shall maintain in accordance
with its usual practice records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower
to
such Lender resulting from the Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts
of principal, interest and other amounts payable and paid to such Lender from
time to time hereunder.
(c) Effect
of Entries. The entries made in the records maintained pursuant
to paragraph (b) of this Section shall, in the absence of manifest error,
be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded
therein; provided that the failure of any Lender to maintain such records
or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the
Borrower to repay the Loan in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
(d) Promissory
Notes. Any Lender may request that the Loan made by it be
evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall
prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such
Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered
assigns) and in substantially the form of Exhibit G.
SECTION
2.04. Prepayment of Loan.
(a) Voluntary
Prepayments. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,
and the occurrence of the Senior Debt Discharge Date (except as otherwise
permitted by the Senior Term Loan Agreement), the Borrower shall have the right
to prepay the Loan in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, without
penalty or premium, provided that each partial prepayment pursuant to
this paragraph (a) shall be in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or
an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
(b) Mandatory
Prepayments. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,
and the occurrence of the Senior Debt Discharge Date (except as otherwise
permitted by the Senior Term Loan Agreement):
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(i) Excess
Cash Flow. Not later than the tenth Business Day following the
last day of each Measurement Period, the Borrower shall prepay the Loan and
pay
accrued interest thereon in an aggregate amount equal to the ECF Sweep
Percentage of the Excess Cash Flow for such Measurement Period.
(ii) Dispositions
of Shares. Upon the occurrence of any Disposition of Shares
(other than (x) with respect to Excluded Shares and (y) a Permitted Shares
Disposition), the Borrower shall prepay the Loan and pay accrued interest
thereon in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds
thereof. Upon the occurrence of any Permitted Shares Disposition, the
Borrower shall prepay the Senior Loan and pay accrued interest thereon in an
aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof remaining after
the payment of any amount due on account of Additional Seller Subordinated
Debt
incurred by the Borrower to purchase the Excluded Shares so
disposed.
(iii) Debt
Incurrence. Upon any Debt Incurrence (excluding any Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing), the Borrower shall prepay the
Loan and pay accrued interest thereon, in an aggregate amount equal to 100%
of
the Net Cash Proceeds of such Debt Incurrence.
(iv) Equity
Issuance. Upon any Equity Issuance, the Borrower shall prepay the
Loan and pay accrued interest thereon, in an aggregate amount equal to 50%
(or,
to the extent that such Equity Issuance consists of a Specified Equity
Contribution, 100%) of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Equity
Issuance.
(c) Notices,
Etc. The Borrower shall notify the Seller by telephone (confirmed
by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder not later than 5:00 p.m., London
time, five Business Days before the date of prepayment. Each such
notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal
amount of Loan to be prepaid and, (i) in the case of a mandatory prepayment,
a
reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment and
(ii) in the case of a mandatory prepayment pursuant to
Section 2.04(b)(i), a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of
Excess Cash Flow for the applicable Measurement Period. All
prepayments pursuant to Section 2.04(a) shall be accompanied by
accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.06.
SECTION
2.05. Fees.
The
Borrower agrees to pay to each
Agent, for its own account, fees payable in such amounts and on such dates
as
shall have been separately agreed upon in writing between the Borrower and
such
Agent.
SECTION
2.06. Interest.
(a) Interest
Rate. The Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum as
follows:
(i) at
any time prior to (and including) May 15, 2013 at a rate equal to 8.12% per
annum; and
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(ii) thereafter,
at a rate equal to 7.0% per annum.
(b) Default
Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Default described in clause (a) or (b)
of Article VII, the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, due,
owing and unpaid interest on the Loan and any other amounts due, owing and
unpaid hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall bear interest, in
each
case until such Default has been cured or waived, after as well as before
judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate then applicable to
the
Loan plus 2% per annum.
(c) Payment
of Interest. Accrued interest on the Loan shall be payable in
arrears on each Payment Date; provided that (i) so long as no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, interest accrued up to (and including)
May 15, 2013 shall be capitalized and added to the principal amounts of the
Loan
on such date, (ii) subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement, interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall
be payable on demand, and (iii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment
of the Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall
be
payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.
(d) Computation. All
interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, and
shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first
day
but excluding the last day).
SECTION
2.07. [Reserved].
SECTION
2.08. [Reserved].
SECTION
2.09. [Reserved].
SECTION
2.10. Taxes.
(a) Payment
of Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall pay all Taxes to the
applicable Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
law. If the Borrower shall be required to withhold or deduct any
Taxes from such payments, then (i) the Borrower shall make such
withholdings or deductions and (ii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount
withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with
applicable law.
(b) Evidence
of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by
the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to each
Lender in respect of which such payment applies the original or a certified
copy
of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment,
a
copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment
reasonably satisfactory to the Lender in respect of which such payment
applies.
SECTION
2.11. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of
Set-offs.
(a) Payments
by the Borrower; Limitations on Foreign Exchange. The Borrower
shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of
principal,
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interest,
or fees or otherwise) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent
otherwise provided therein) prior to 1:00 p.m., London time, on
the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or
counterclaim except with respect to any withholding or deduction required to
be
made pursuant to Section 2.10. Any amounts received after such time
on any date shall be deemed to have been received on the immediately following
Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.
(b) If
any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the
date
for payment shall be extended to the immediately following Business Day and
no
interest shall accrue on such amount.
(c) All
payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent
otherwise provided therein) shall be made in Dollars. If access by
the Company, the Borrower or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, to the
foreign exchange market for the acquisition of Dollars and its transfer outside
of Argentina is limited by virtue of any law, rule, regulation or interpretation
by a Governmental Authority, any amount payable with respect to the Shares
shall
(i) be deposited into an account of the Collateral Agent maintained in
Argentina or an account of any third party as instructed by the Collateral
Agent
and (ii) be converted by the Collateral Agent into free available Dollars,
through, upon instructions of the Seller (x) the purchase and sale of debt
securities issued by the federal government of the Republic of Argentina
denominated in Dollars or any other public or private bond or tradeable security
quoted in any other foreign currency outside of Argentina or (y) any
appropriate mechanism for the acquisition of Dollars in any exchange
market. The Borrower shall be responsible for the costs (including
any loss due to unfavorable exchange rates) and expenses related to the export
of such securities or the proceeds from the sale of such securities from
Argentina and the sale of such securities or such proceeds outside Argentina
to
obtain freely available Dollars, in such amounts and on such dates as will
permit the making of payments due hereunder.
(d) Application
of Insufficient Payments. Unless otherwise provided
herein, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and
available to the Lenders to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and
fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay
interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto
in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties,
and (ii) second, to pay principal then due hereunder.
(e) Pro
Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided
herein: (i) each payment or prepayment by the Borrower of
principal of the Loan shall be made for account of the Lenders pro
rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts
of
the Loan held by them; and (ii) each payment by the Borrower of interest on
the Loan shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in
accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loan then due and payable to
the
respective Lenders.
(f) Sharing
of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any
right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of
any
principal of or interest on its Loan resulting in such Lender receiving payment
of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loan and accrued interest
thereon then due than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the
Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash
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at
face
value) participations in the Loan of other Lenders to the extent necessary
so
that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably
in
accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on
the
Loan held by such Lender; provided that (i) if any such
participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise
thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to
any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express
terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration
for
the assignment of or sale of a participation in its Loan to any assignee or
participant, other than to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof (as to which
the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents
to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under
applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the
foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off
and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender
were
a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
The
Borrower represents and warrants to the Seller, with respect to each of itself
and Holdings, that:
SECTION
3.01. Organization; Powers. Each
of the Borrower and Holdings is duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization, has all requisite power and authority
to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to
do
so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction
where such qualification is required. The Borrower is duly registered
within the Commercial Registry of Madrid at Tomo 24,588, Libro 0, Xxxxx 00,
Xxxxxxx 0, Xxxx X-000000 and all the resolutions passed by its Shareholders’
General Meeting and/or Directors suitable for registration have been duly
registered within the Commercial Registry.
SECTION
3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The
Transactions are within the Borrower’s and Holdings’ respective power and
authority and have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes,
and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party when executed and
delivered by it will constitute, its legal, valid and binding obligation,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of principles
of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law). The choice of New York law to govern
this Agreement and the Security Agreement is a legal, valid and binding choice
of law under the laws of Spain and the courts in Spain would recognize and
enforce such choice of New York law. A judgment obtained in a New
York court in respect of this Agreement and the Security Agreement will be
recognized and enforced by the courts of
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Spain
without re-examination of the merits. Each of the Loan Documents to
which the Borrower is a party is, and (to the extent requested by any Lender
pursuant to this Agreement) any promissory note when duly executed
and delivered by the Borrower will be, in proper legal form under the law of
Spain for the enforcement thereof against the Borrower under such
law. All formalities required in Spain and the United States for the
validity and enforceability of each of the Loan Documents have been
accomplished, and no taxes are required to be paid and no notarization is
required, for the validity, enforceability and admissibility in evidence
thereof.
SECTION
3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. All
consents, approvals, registrations, filings and other actions required to enable
the Borrower and Holdings to enter into, exercise their respective rights and
comply with their respective obligations under each of the Transaction Documents
to which the Borrower or Holdings, as applicable, is a party, have been obtained
and are in full force and effect, except for (i) such as have been obtained
or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) filings and recordings in
respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Agreement,
(iii) approvals by the Antitrust Commission, (iv) filings with the
Argentine securities commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and
(v) registrations after the Closing Date required pursuant to the second
sentence of Section 5.04, (b) will not violate any applicable law or
regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of either
the Borrower or Holdings or any order of any Governmental Authority,
(c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement
or other instrument binding upon either the Borrower or Holdings or their
respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment
to
be made by any such Person, and (d) except for the Liens created pursuant
to the Security Agreement and the Security Documents (as defined in the Senior
Term Loan Agreement), will not result in the creation or imposition of any
Lien
on any asset of either the Borrower or Holdings.
SECTION
3.04. No Material Adverse Change. Since
December 21, 2007, no event, change or condition has occurred that has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the
ability of the Borrower or Holdings to perform any of their respective
obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to which
it
is a party, provided that no representation is made with respect to events,
changes or conditions relating to the Company.
SECTION
3.05. Properties. The
Borrower owns no real property or any interest therein. The Borrower
has good title to all its property (other than the Acquired Shares) material
to
its business, in each case subject only to the Liens created pursuant to the
Security Agreement and the Security Documents (as defined in the Senior Term
Loan Agreement). Holdings has good title to the shares of common
stock of the Borrower subject only to the Liens created pursuant to the Security
Documents (as defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement).
SECTION
3.06. Litigation. There
are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator
or Governmental Authority, or governmental investigations known to the Borrower,
now pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against
either the Borrower or Holdings (i) as to which there is a reasonable
possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined,
could
reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a
Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any of the Loan Documents or
the Transactions, provided that no representation
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is
made
with respect to any actions, suits or proceedings involving the Company, the
Seller or any of its Affiliates.
SECTION
3.07. Compliance with Laws. The
Borrower is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except for any such
non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
3.08. Compliance with Agreements; No Default. Each
of the Borrower and Holdings is in compliance with all indentures, agreements
and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except for any such
non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has
occurred and is continuing.
SECTION
3.09. [Reserved.].
SECTION
3.10. Taxes. The
Borrower has timely filed or caused to be filed all tax returns and reports
required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required
to have been paid by it, except (x) Taxes that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower has set aside on
its
books adequate reserves to the extent required by GAAP or (y) to the extent
that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect. There is no income, stamp or other tax, levy,
assessment, impost, deduction, charge or withholding of any kind imposed by
Australia, Argentina, the United States or the United Kingdom (or any province,
municipality or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein that exercises de facto or de jure power to
impose such tax, levy, assessment, impost, deduction, charge or withholding)
on
or by virtue of the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents.
SECTION
3.11. Disclosure. The
Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate
or other restrictions to which it is subject, and all other matters known to
it
with respect to itself, its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates’ businesses
and properties, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, provided that no representation
is made with respect to any matters involving the Company and its
Affiliates.
SECTION
3.12. Security Interests; Liens. The
Security Agreement provides the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders
and the Collateral Agent with effective, valid, legally binding and enforceable
first priority Liens on all of the Collateral. The Collateral Agent’s
security interests described above will be, as of the Closing Date (and, with
respect to all subsequently acquired Collateral will be when so acquired)
superior and prior to the rights of all third Persons now existing or hereafter
arising whether by way of Lien, assignment or otherwise. Other than
the Liens created pursuant to the Security Agreement and the Security Documents
(as defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement), no Lien exists on any property
of the Borrower. Other than the Liens created pursuant to the Senior
Finance Documents, no Lien exists on the shares of common stock of the
Borrower.
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SECTION
3.13. Capitalization. The
share capital of the Borrower, after giving effect to the Equity Contribution,
consists of an aggregate of 75,280,000 shares consisting of 75,280,000 shares
of
common stock with a par value of €1.00 per share], each of which shares is fully
paid and nonassessable. The share capital of the Borrower is fully
registered in the Commercial Registry of Madrid. As of the date
hereof all of such issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Borrower
are owned beneficially and of record by Holdings. As of the date
hereof, (x) there are no outstanding Equity Rights with respect to the
Borrower and (y) there are no outstanding obligations of the Borrower to
repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
Borrower nor are there any outstanding obligations of the Borrower to make
payments to any Person, such as “phantom stock” payments, where the amount
thereof is calculated with reference to the fair market value or equity value
of
the Borrower.
SECTION
3.14. Subsidiaries and Investments.
(a) Subsidiaries. The
Borrower has no Subsidiaries.
(b) Investments. The
Borrower has no Investments other than the Accounts (as such term is
defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement), the Interest Rate Cap Agreement,
the
Acquired Shares and Cash Equivalents.
SECTION
3.15. Solvency. As
of the date hereof, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the extensions
of credit hereunder and to the other Transactions, (i) the aggregate value
of all properties of the Borrower at their present fair saleable value exceeds
the amount of all the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated,
unmatured and unliquidated liabilities) of the Borrower, (ii) the Borrower
will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct its business
operations as heretofore conducted and (iii) the Borrower is not affected
by any event of dissolution (causa de disolución) established in
articles 260.1 and 260.2 of the Spanish Companies Act (Ley de Sociedades
Anónimas), and it is not reasonably foreseeable that it will be affected by
any of this events of dissolution during the term of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
IV
CONDITIONS
The
obligation of the Seller to make its Loan hereunder shall become effective
on
the Closing Date, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent and the receipt by the Seller of each of the following documents,
each
of which documents, to the extent that a form therefor is not attached hereto
as
an Exhibit, shall be satisfactory to the Seller in form and substance (or such
condition shall have been waived in accordance with
Section 9.02):
(a) This
Agreement. A counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto (other than the Seller).
(b) Purchase
Agreement. A counterpart of the Purchase Agreement signed on
behalf of each of the parties thereto (other than the Seller).
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(c) Shareholders
Agreement. A counterpart of the Shareholders Agreement signed on
behalf of each of the parties thereto (other than the Seller).
(d) [Reserved].
(e) Senior
Finance Documents. From each party thereto (i) the
Senior Finance Documents signed on behalf of the parties thereto, and (ii)
written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Seller that all conditions
precedent to the disbursement of the Senior Loans have been satisfied or waived
by the Senior Lenders.
(f) Intercreditor
Agreement. From each party thereto a counterpart of the
Intercreditor Agreement signed on behalf of such party.
(g) Acquisition. The
Acquisition and the other Transactions shall be consummated simultaneously
with
the closing hereunder for a purchase price of $2,235,000,000 and otherwise
in
accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
(h) Corporate
Documents. Such documents and certificates as the Seller or its
counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence of the
Borrower and Holdings, the authorization of the Transactions and incumbency
of
officers.
(i)
Officer’s
Certificate. A certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by
a Senior Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions
set
forth in clauses (q) and (r) of this Article IV.
(j)
Security
Agreement. The Security Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrower and the Collateral Agent. In addition, the
Borrower shall have (A) included in the Collateral 9,832,819 Acquired
Shares, (B) delivered to the Collateral Agent in New York the certificates
representing such Acquired Shares indorsed to the Collateral Agent or in blank
by an effective endorsement, and (C) taken such other action as necessary,
including as the Collateral Agent shall have reasonably requested in order
to
perfect the security interests created pursuant to the Security
Agreement.
(k) Process
Agent Acceptance. A Process Agent Acceptance in respect of the
Borrower, duly executed and delivered by the Process Agent.
(l)
Outstanding Indebtedness and Capital
Stock. A certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a
Senior Officer of the Borrower, to the effect that, after giving effect to
the
Transactions, (i) the Borrower shall have outstanding no Indebtedness or
capital stock other than (x) the Loan hereunder, (y) Indebtedness
under the Senior Term Loan Agreement and (z) the common stock evidenced by
the Equity Contribution and (ii) Holdings shall have outstanding no
Indebtedness other than Permitted Holdings Indebtedness.
(m) Pro
Forma Financial Statements of the Borrower. A pro forma
consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma consolidated statements of
income and cash flows of the Borrower as of and for the twelve-month period
ending on December 31, 2007, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions
as
if the Transactions had
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occurred
as of such date (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of
such
period (in the case of such other financial statements).
(n) [Reserved].
(o) [Reserved].
(p) No
Litigation. A certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a
Senior Officer of the Borrower, to the effect that there shall be no litigation,
governmental, administrative or judicial action, actual or, to the knowledge
of
the Borrower, threatened, or governmental investigations known to the Borrower,
which is reasonably likely to be adversely determined and, if so determined,
is
reasonably likely to restrain, prevent or impose materially burdensome
conditions on the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
(q) True
Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date (unless any
such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which
case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of such
earlier date).
(r) No
Default. At the time of and immediately after giving effect to
the Loan, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(s) Payment
of Fees. The Borrower shall no later than the Closing Date by
wire payment in immediately available funds pay the fees and expenses of Xxxxx,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP , counsel to the Collateral Agent.
The
obligations of the Seller to make
its Loan shall not become effective unless the Closing Date shall have occurred
on or prior to 5:00 p.m., London time, on February 26, 2008.
ARTICLE
V
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
Until
the
principal of and interest on the Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall
have
been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders
that:
SECTION
5.01. Financial Statements and Other
Information. The
Borrower will furnish to each Lender:
(a) within
90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the audited balance
sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of
the Borrower as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case
in
comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on
by
independent public accountants of recognized international standing (without
any
qualification or
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exception
as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such financial statements
present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results
of
operations of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied;
(b) within
45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal
year of the Borrower, the balance sheet and related statements of income,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower as of the end of and for
such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting
forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of
the
balance sheet, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the
previous fiscal year, all certified by a Senior Officer of the Borrower as
presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results
of operations of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP consistently applied,
subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of
footnotes;
(c) concurrently
with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) of
this Section, a certificate of a Senior Officer of the Borrower
(i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has
occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to
be
taken with respect thereto and (ii) stating whether any change in GAAP or
in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial
statements referred to in Section 3.04(a) and, if any such change has
occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements
accompanying such certificate;
(d) copies
of all certificates setting forth the Collateral Coverage Ratio, concurrently
with their delivery to the Senior Lenders or their agents under the Senior
Term
Loan Agreement;
(e) copies
of all certificates setting forth the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (as defined
in
the Senior Term Loan Agreement) for such Measurement Period, concurrently with
their delivery to the Senior Lenders or their agents under the Senior Term
Loan
Agreement; and
(f) promptly
following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations,
business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower (not including any
information with respect to the Company) or compliance with the terms of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or the Senior Finance Documents, as any
Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION
5.02. Notices of Material Events. The
Borrower will furnish to each Lender and the Collateral Agent written notice
of
the following:
(a) the
occurrence of any Default; and
(b) the
filing or commencement of any action, suit, investigation or proceeding by
or
before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority (i) against the Borrower,
Holdings or any of their respective assets that, if adversely determined, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) known
to the
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Borrower
that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in an
adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the Collateral Agent, any other
Agent, or any Lender in respect of any of the Collateral under this Agreement
or
the Security Documents.
Each
notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a
Senior Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the
details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken
or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION
5.03. [Reserved].
SECTION
5.04. Existence; Preservation of Rights; Conduct of
Business. The
Borrower will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew
and
keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses,
permits, registrations, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of
its
business and the performance of its obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents
to which it is a party. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event
that the Borrower ceases to hold the Shares owned by it in the form of American
Depositary Shares or as required by applicable law, the Borrower shall be
registered, and thereafter maintain such registration, with the Public Registry
of Commerce of the City of Buenos Aires under Section 123 of Law 19.550, as
amended, for purposes of acting as a shareholder of an Argentine
company.
SECTION
5.05. Payment of Obligations. The
Borrower will pay its obligations, including tax liabilities, that, if not
paid,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before
the
same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity
or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
(b) the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect
thereto if required by and in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to
make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result
in
a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The
Borrower will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and
correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its
business and activities. The Borrower will permit any representatives
designated by any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, reasonable access to
visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books
and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its
officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often
as reasonably requested.
SECTION
5.07. Compliance with Laws. The
Borrower will comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
5.08. Use of Proceeds. The
amount of the Loan will be credited to pay the purchase price of the Acquisition
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
SECTION
5.09. [Reserved].
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SECTION
5.10. Further Assurances; Release of Shares from the
Collateral.
(a) The
Borrower will take such action from time to time (including executing and
delivering such assignments, security agreements, account control agreements
and
other instruments) as shall be reasonably requested by the Majority Lenders
to
create, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and
the
Collateral Agent, perfected security interests and Liens in all of the Pledged
Shares.
(b) If,
after the Closing Date, (i) the Annual Collateral Coverage Ratio for any
fiscal year of the Company is greater than the Release Ratio Level with respect
to such fiscal year, (ii) no Default (as such term is defined in the Senior
Term Loan Agreement) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom and (iii) no material breach by the Seller of its obligations
under the Shareholders Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, then,
promptly after the sixth Business Day after the Company has made publicly
available its audited annual financial statements for such fiscal year, the
Borrower shall make all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the release
of
Excluded Shares from the collateral securing the Indebtedness of the Borrower
under the Senior Term Loan Agreement (such released Shares, the “Released
Shares”), and the Borrower shall pledge such Released Shares to secure,
pursuant to a first ranking Lien, the Indebtedness of the Borrower under this
Agreement pursuant to the Security Documents, in such amounts and in accordance
with the terms of the Senior Term Loan Agreement. From time to time,
upon release of such Released Shares by the Senior Collateral Agent, the
Borrower shall cause the delivery of such Released Shares to the Seller or
its
designee (which may be the Collateral Agent) free and clear of all Liens, and
the Borrower shall execute, and make all commercially reasonable efforts to
cause each Agent (as such term is defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement)
to
execute, and deliver to the Borrower such documentation as shall be reasonably
requested by Seller to effect the release of the Released Shares and cause
such
Released Shares to be pledged pursuant to the Security Documents.
(c) Concurrently
with the repayment and discharge in full of the obligations of Borrower under
the Senior Term Loan Agreement:
(i) all
of the Shares
securing the Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Term Loan Agreement
immediately prior to the repayment and discharge of the obligations of Borrower
under the Senior Term Loan Agreement shall, other than Excluded Shares pledged
or to be pledged in connection with a Permitted Refinancing in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement (“Permitted Refinancing Excluded Shares”), be
released from the collateral securing the Indebtedness of the Borrower under
the
Senior Term Loan Agreement and will be pledged to secure, pursuant to a first
ranking Lien, the Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement pursuant
to
the Security Documents; and
(ii)
the Borrower shall make all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the release of the Excluded Shares
securing the Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Term Loan Agreement
(other than Permitted Refinancing Excluded Shares) from the collateral securing
the Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Term Loan Agreement and upon
release of such Excluded Shares by the Senior Collateral Agent, to cause the
delivery thereof to the Seller or its designee (which may be the
Collateral Agent) free and clear of all Liens, and the Borrower shall execute,
and make all commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Agent (as
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such
term
is defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement) to execute, and deliver to the
Borrower such documentation as shall be reasonably requested by Seller to effect
the release of such Excluded Shares and cause such Excluded Shares to be pledged
pursuant to the Security Documents.
(d) Concurrently
with the repayment and discharge in full of the obligations of Borrower under
any Permitted Refinancing:
(i)
the Borrower shall make all commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the release of the Permitted Refinancing Excluded Shares pledged by the
Borrower pledged to secure the Indebtedness of the Borrower under any Permitted
Refinancing (the “Refinancing Released Security”); and
(ii)
the Borrower shall, upon release of such Refinancing Released
Security, cause the delivery of such Refinancing Released Security (and hereby
irrevocably instructs each Agent (as such term is defined in the Senior Term
Loan Agreement) and each agent appointed pursuant to any Permitted Refinancing
to deliver such Refinancing Released Security), to the Seller or its designee
(which may be the Collateral Agent) free and clear of all Liens, and the
Borrower shall procure the execution, and make all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause each Agent to execute, and deliver to the Borrower such
documentation as shall be reasonably requested by Seller to effect the release
of such Refinancing Released Security and cause such Refinancing Released
Security to be pledged to secure, pursuant to a first ranking Lien, the
Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement pursuant to the Security
Documents.
(e) (i) the
Borrower shall take all measures, perform all actions, grant all documents,
obtain all official or private seals, approvals, authorizations, stamps or
others and grant all documents necessary to ensure that this Agreement
(including any amendment, restatement, novation or related document) and/or
any
other Loan Document (including any amendment, restatement, novation or related
document) are raised in Spain to the status of Public Documents (elevación a
escritura pública o póliza) in compliance with Spanish law requirements on
or before 5 Business Days after the date on which the Collateral Agent makes
a
requirement to the Borrower,
(ii) the
Borrower acknowledges that the escritura pública will expressly state
that the Collateral Agent and/or any Lender is entitled to claim all amounts
outstanding under the Loan Documents following any non-payment of principal
by
the Borrower. This does not prejudice the exercise of any other right
or remedy of the Collateral Agent and/or any Lender,
(iii)
any Person that assumes any
obligation, responsibility or undertaking in the future under this Agreement
shall be obliged by this paragraph (c), and
(iv) the
Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Majority Lenders (and the Collateral
Agent, to the extent it is necessary) to request and obtain certificates issued
by the Notary Public who has raised this Agreement or any other Loan Document
into the status of a Spanish public document, in order to evidence its
compliance with the entries
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of
his
registry-book and the relevant entry date for the purpose of Article 517 of
the
Civil Procedural Law. The cost of such certificate will be for the
account of the Borrower.
(f) If
this Agreement or any other Loan Document is raised in Spain to public documents
status in accordance with paragraph (c) above, for the purpose of Article
571 et seq. of the Civil Procedural Law (Law 1/2000 of 7 January) (Ley de
Enjuiciamiento Civil), then:
(i) the
amount due and payable under this Agreement and/or any Loan Document that may
be
claimed in any executive proceedings will be contained in a certificate supplied
by the Collateral Agent and/or a Lender and will be based on the accounts
maintained by the applicable Agent and/or such Lender in connection with this
Agreement and,
(ii) the
Collateral Agent may (at the cost of the Borrower) have the certificate
notarized,
(iii) the
Collateral Agent may start executive proceedings by presenting to the relevant
court (x) an original notarial copy of this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents, as applicable, and (y) a notarial document (acta
notarial) incorporating the certificate of the applicable Agent or Lender
referred to in subparagraph (i) above; provided that the Borrower
must be notified of the details of such certificate at least 5 days before
the
start of the executive proceedings.
ARTICLE
VI
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
Until
the
principal of and interest on the Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been
paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders
that:
SECTION
6.01. Indebtedness. The
Borrower will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness,
except:
(a) Indebtedness
created hereunder;
(b) Indebtedness
outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Agreement;
(c) Indebtedness
outstanding under any Permitted Subordinated Debt;
(d) Indebtedness
outstanding under any Permitted Refinancing; and
(e) Indebtedness
outstanding under any Additional Seller Subordinated Debt.
SECTION
6.02. Liens. The
Borrower will not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any
property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell
any
income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of
any
thereof, except:
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(a) Liens
created pursuant to the Security Documents;
(b) Permitted
Encumbrances;
(c) Liens
created pursuant to the Security Documents (as defined in the Senior Term Loan
Agreement);
(d) Liens
securing the Indebtedness under any Permitted Refinancing; and
(e) Liens
securing any Indebtedness under any Additional Seller Subordinated Debt not
provided by Seller.
SECTION
6.03. Fundamental Changes;
Dispositions. The
Borrower will not enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation or
amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself, or voluntarily commence
any proceedings described in Article VII(j)(i). The Borrower
will not acquire any business or property from, or capital stock of, or be
a
party to any acquisition of, any Person, except as permitted by
Section 6.05 or 6.09. The Borrower will not convey, sell, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, any part of its business or property, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except
for (a) a Disposition of Shares
included in the collateral securing the
Indebtedness under the Senior Term Loan Agreement or any Indebtedness under
any
Permitted Refinancing for cash or Cash Equivalents,
in each case to be paid to the Borrower
at the time of such Disposition of Shares, provided
that the proceeds thereof
are applied to
prepay the Senior Loans or
such Permitted Refinancing, respectively, and to prepay the Loan pursuant to Section 2.04(b)(ii),
and (b) a Permitted
Shares Disposition.
SECTION
6.04. Lines of Business. The
Borrower will not engage in any business other than its ownership of the Shares,
its consummation of the Transactions and activities and liabilities incidental
thereto.
SECTION
6.05. Subsidiaries and Investments. The
Borrower will not acquire or establish any Subsidiaries and, without limiting
the foregoing, the Borrower will not make or permit to remain outstanding any
Investments except:
(a) the
Accounts (as defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement);
(b) Cash
Equivalents;
(c) the
Interest Rate Cap Agreement;
(d) the
Acquired Shares; and
(e) any
additional Shares acquired as permitted by Section 6.09.
SECTION
6.06. Restricted Payments. The
Borrower will not declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or
indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:
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(a) subject
to the delivery by the Borrower to the relevant agents under the Senior Term
Loan Agreement or this Agreement, as the case may be, of reasonable documentary
evidence thereof (and without duplication of any Asset Taxes paid pursuant
to
Section 6.07(c)), any Restricted Payments made for the purpose of allowing
the shareholders of Holdings to pay Asset Taxes;
(b) the
payment of dividends in any fiscal year of the Borrower in an aggregate amount
not exceeding the lesser of $14,325,000 and the aggregate amount of the portions
of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year not required to be used to prepay
the
Senior Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b)(i) of the Senior Term Loan
Agreement, the terms of any
Indebtedness under any Permitted Refinancing, and the Loan pursuant
Section 2.04(b)(i) (as such aggregate amount may be reduced on a
Dollar-for-Dollar basis by the amount of prepayments, redemptions or repurchases
of, and other payments in respect of, Indebtedness of the Borrower under the
Additional Seller Subordinated Debt and, after all Additional Seller
Subordinated Debt has been paid and discharged in full, any Permitted
Subordinated Debt, made pursuant to paragraph (c) below), provided
that (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
therefrom and (ii) no such dividend payment shall be permitted from any
such portion of Excess Cash Flow for any Measurement Period until after the
mandatory prepayment to be made for such Measurement Period required pursuant
to
Section 2.04(b)(i) of the Senior Term Loan Agreement, the terms of any Indebtedness
under
any Permitted Refinancing, and Section 2.04(b)(i) shall
have been made;
(c) prepayments,
redemptions or repurchases of, and other payments in respect of, Indebtedness
of
the Borrower under any Additional Seller Subordinated Debt and, after all
Additional Seller Subordinated Debt has been paid and discharged in full, any
Permitted Subordinated Debt, made with the amounts otherwise permitted to be
used for the payment of dividends pursuant to paragraph (b) above,
provided that, upon any such prepayment, redemption or repurchase, the
amount otherwise available for the payment of dividends under paragraph (b)
above shall be reduced on a Dollar-for-Dollar basis; and
(d) payments
of any amounts due on account of any Additional Seller Subordinated Debt made
by
the Borrower with the Net Cash Proceeds of a Permitted Shares
Disposition.
SECTION
6.07. Transactions with Affiliates. The
Borrower will not sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets
to,
or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or
otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates,
except:
(a) transactions
duly incurred and documented and in the ordinary course of business at prices
and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower than could be
reasonably obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties,
provided that the aggregate amount of payments to be made by the Borrower
with respect to all such transactions shall not exceed $250,000 per fiscal
year
of the Borrower;
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(b) the
incurrence of Permitted Subordinated Debt;
(c) subject
to the delivery by the Borrower to the Agents of reasonable documentary evidence
thereof (and without duplication of any Restricted Payments made pursuant to
Section 6.06(a)), the payment of Asset Taxes on behalf of the shareholders
of Holdings;
(d) the
payment of Permitted Borrower Expenses; and
(e) the
payment of dividends otherwise permitted hereunder.
SECTION
6.08. Termination or Modification of Certain
Documents. The
Borrower will not terminate or modify (whether in writing or otherwise) the
economic terms of, or modify (whether in writing or otherwise) in a manner
that
is adverse to the Lenders, any documentation governing the Indebtedness of
the
Borrower under any Additional Seller Subordinated Debt or any Permitted
Subordinated Debt, without in each case the prior written consent of the
Required Lenders. The Borrower will not terminate or modify (whether
in writing or otherwise) the economic terms of, or modify (whether in writing
or
otherwise) in a manner that is materially adverse to the Lenders, any
organizational document of the Borrower (including any change (whether agreed
or
deemed pursuant to applicable law) of domicile), without in each case the prior
written consent of the Required Lenders.
SECTION
6.09. Acquisitions of Additional Shares. The
Borrower will not acquire any additional Shares after the Closing Date if the
purchase price thereof, when aggregated with the purchase price of all
additional Shares previously acquired by the Borrower after the Closing Date,
would exceed $250,000,000.
ARTICLE
VII
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
If
any of
the following events (each, an “Event of Default”) shall
occur:
(a) the
Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loan when and as the same shall
become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed
for
prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the
Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on the Loan or any fee or any other
amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article)
payable under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, when and as
the
same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied
for a period of three or more Business Days;
(c) any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower
in or, on and after the date hereof, in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or by or on behalf of Holdings in or, on and after the
date
hereof, in connection with any Loan Document to which it is a party, or, in
each
case, any
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amendment
or modification hereof or thereof, or in any report, certificate, financial
statement or other document furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or
Holdings pursuant to or, on and after the date hereof, in connection with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof
or
thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made
or
deemed made;
(d) (i) the
Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in Section 5.04 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence),
5.10(c) or in Article VI; (ii) the Borrower shall fail to observe or
perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4.02 or
4.04(a) of the Security Agreement; (iii) the Borrower shall fail to observe
or
perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4(b) of the
Junior Pledge Agreement; or (iv) the Borrower shall fail to observe or
perform the agreement contained in Section 7.3 of, or any other material
covenant, condition or agreement contained in, the Shareholders
Agreement;
(e) [Reserved].
(f) either
the Borrower or Holdings shall fail to observe or perform any covenant,
condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document to which it is a party
(other than those covenants, conditions or agreements specified above in this
Article) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more
days after the earlier of (x) an officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge
of
such failure and (y) notice thereof from any Lender to the
Borrower;
(g) the
Borrower shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and
regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as
the
same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue beyond any
applicable grace period set forth in the agreements or instruments evidencing
or
governing such Material Indebtedness;
(h) any
event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness incurred
by
the Borrower becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or
permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the
holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent
on
its or their behalf to cause any such Material Indebtedness to become due,
or to
require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior
to
its scheduled maturity;
(i) an
involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall
be
filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization, debt restructuring
(including any out of court restructuring agreement or acuerdo preventivo
extrajudicial), winding up, administration or dissolution, including any
disolución, liquidación, concurso, or any other
similar proceedings, or other relief in respect of either the Borrower or
Holdings or their respective debts, or of a substantial part of its assets,
under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a
receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator, conservator or similar official, including a liquidador,
administración concursal or any other Person performing the same
function of each of
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the
foregoing, for either the Borrower or Holdings or for a substantial part of
their respective assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition
shall continue undismissed for a period of 60 or more days or an order or decree
approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(j) either
the Borrower or Holdings shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or
file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, debt restructuring
(including any out of court restructuring agreement or acuerdo preventivo
extrajudicial), winding up, administration or dissolution, including any
disolución, liquidación, concurso, or any other
similar proceedings, or other relief under any federal, state or
foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter
in
effect, (ii) consent to the institution of any proceeding or
petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or
consent to the appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver,
administrator, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar
official, including a liquidador, administración concursal or
any other Person performing the same function of each of the foregoing, for
either of the Borrower or Holdings or for a substantial part of their respective
assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(k) either
the Borrower or Holdings shall become unable, admit in writing its inability
or
fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, including that the Borrower
is in a state of insolvencia or concurso;
(l)
one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate
amount in excess of $10,000,000 shall be rendered against either the Borrower
or
Holdings and the same shall remain undischarged, unsatisfied, unstayed and
unbonded for a period of 30 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally
taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower
or Holdings, as the case may be, to enforce any such judgments;
(m)
a Change of Control shall occur;
(n) the
Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents shall at any time not
constitute a valid and perfected Lien on the collateral intended to be covered
thereby in favor of the Collateral Agent, free and clear of all other Liens,
or,
except for expiration in accordance with its terms, any of the Security
Documents shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force
and effect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Borrower
or
Holdings;
(o) [Reserved].
(p) [Reserved].
(q) [Reserved].
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(r) Holdings
shall (i) terminate or modify (whether in writing or otherwise) the
economic terms of, or modify (whether in writing or otherwise) in a manner
that
is adverse to the Lenders, any documentation governing the Indebtedness of
the
Borrower under any Permitted Subordinated Debt, (ii) terminate or modify
(whether in writing or otherwise) in a manner that is materially adverse to
the
Lenders any of its or the Borrower’s organizational documents (including any
change (whether agreed or deemed pursuant to applicable law) of domicile),
other
than any such termination or modification resulting from the transactions
permitted under Section 13 of the Holdings Existing Shares Pledge Agreement,
without in each case the prior written consent of the Required Lenders,
(iii) engage at any time in any business or business activity other than
ownership and acquisition of equity interests in the Borrower and the extension
of Permitted Subordinated Debt to the Borrower, or any activities directly
related thereto, or any actions incidental to the consummation of the
Transactions and to maintenance and continuance by Holdings of the foregoing
activities, (iv) incur any Indebtedness other than Permitted Holdings
Indebtedness or (v) permit any Liens on the equity interests of the
Borrower other than Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents or the
Senior Finance Documents; or
(s) Holdings
shall fail to (i) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve,
renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights,
licenses, permits, registrations, privileges and franchises material to the
conduct of its business and the performance of its obligations pursuant to
the
Security Documents (as defined in the Senior Term Loan Agreement) to which
it is
a party (without prejudice to the transactions permitted under Section 13
of the Holdings Existing Shares Pledge Agreement), (ii) pay its
obligations, including tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become
delinquent or in default, except where (x) the validity or amount thereof
is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (y) Holdings
has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto if required
by
and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Australia
and
(z) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) keep proper books
of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities,
(iv) permit any representatives designated by any Lender, upon reasonable
prior notice, reasonable access to visit and inspect its properties, to examine
and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs,
finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at
such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, (v) comply with
all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable
to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in
the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect, or (vi) take all measures, perform all actions, grant all
documents, obtain all official or private seals, approvals, authorizations,
stamps or others and grant all documents required to be taken, performed,
granted or obtained by Holdings to ensure that the Senior Finance Documents
(including any amendment, restatement, novation or related document) are raised
in Spain to the status of Public Documents (elevación a escritura pública o
póliza) in compliance with Spanish law requirements on or before 5 Business
Days after the date
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on
which
the Senior Collateral Agent makes a requirement to Holdings, and in each case
under this paragraph (s) (other than clause (i) with respect to the
existence of Holdings) such failure shall continue unremedied for a period
of 30
or more days after notice thereof from any Lender to the Borrower;
then,
and
in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described
in clause (i) or (j) of this Article), and at any time thereafter
during the continuance of such event, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to
the
Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different
times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the
Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loan then
outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any
principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared
to be
due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loan so declared to be
due
and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other
obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable
immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with
respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this
Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of
the
Loan then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees
and
other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become
due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any
kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE
VIII
THE
COLLATERAL AGENT AND
LENDERS
Each
of
the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent under
the Loan Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions
on
its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the
applicable Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. The Collateral Agent acknowledges the
Intercreditor Agreement, with the understanding that the Collateral Agent
assumes no obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement and shall not be liable
thereunder.
Each
Person serving as an Agent shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity
as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were
not
an Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend
money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or
any
Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent.
No
Agent
shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein
and
in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, (a) no Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied
duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing,
(b) no Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or
exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers
expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents to which such
Agent
is a party and that
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such
Agent
is required to exercise in writing by the Majority Lenders, and (c) except
as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, no Agent shall
have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose,
any information relating to the Borrower that is communicated to or obtained
by
the Person serving as Agent or any of their Affiliates in any
capacity. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it with the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders or in the
absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent
shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice
thereof is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and no Agent shall
be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any
statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Information Memorandum dated December
26, 2007, approved by and relating to the Borrower, (ii) the contents of
any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder
or
in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of
any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein
or therein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness
of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument
or
document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in
Article IV or elsewhere herein or therein, other than to confirm receipt of
items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.
The
Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any
liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Collateral
Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and
believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any
liability for relying thereon. The Collateral Agent may consult with
legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower or Holdings), independent
accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any
action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such
counsel, accountants or experts.
The
Collateral Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights
and
powers by or through any one or more sub-agents (including any branch, other
office, Affiliate or nominee of such Agent) appointed by such
Agent. The Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any
and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective
Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding
paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of
the
Agents and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities
in
connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein
as
well as activities as Agent. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable
for negligence by an agent appointed with due care.
The
Collateral Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the
Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have
the right to appoint a successor that is not a Regulation U Bank and, except
if
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such
resignation, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, provided
that, if the Borrower shall fail to provide its consent to any successor
proposed to the Borrower in writing by the Majority Lenders within ten days
after receipt of such proposal, such successor shall be deemed to be reasonably
satisfactory to the Borrower. The Collateral Agent’s resignation
shall not be effective until a successor Collateral Agent shall have been
appointed by
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the
Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such
appointment; provided that, if no such successor shall have
been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such
appointment within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent gives notice
of
its resignation, then the retiring Collateral Agent may on behalf of the Lenders
appoint a successor Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above,
or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a
successor. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as an Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested
with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired)
Agent, and the retiring Agent, shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations hereunder (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above
in
this paragraph). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor
Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise
agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After an Agent’s
resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03
shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.
Each
Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon either
Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it
has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
this
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently
and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender and based on such
documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate,
continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or
based
upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any
document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
Beyond
the
exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof, the Collateral Agent shall
have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the
possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to
preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining
thereto. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for
filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents
or
instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting
or
maintaining the perfection of any security interest in the
Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised
reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which other
collateral agents accord similar property. The Collateral Agent shall
not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any
of
the Collateral, including by reason of the act or omission of any carrier,
forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Collateral Agent
in
good faith.
The
Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for: (i) the existence,
genuineness or value of any of the Collateral, (ii) the validity, perfection,
priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether
impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act
on
its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes
gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Collateral
Agent, (iii) the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement
or
assignment contained therein, (iv) the validity of the title of the Borrower
to
the Collateral, (v) insuring the Collateral, (vi) the payment of taxes, charges,
assessments or Liens upon the Collateral, (vii) filing of financing or
continuation statements or (viii) otherwise as to the maintenance of the
Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to ascertain or
inquire as to the performance or observance of
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any
of the
terms of this Agreement or the Security Documents by other parties to this
Agreement or related transaction documents.
The
Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted
to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized
or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this
Agreement.
The
Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event
of
Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent has received
written notice of any event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default
at
the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references this
Agreement.
The
rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Collateral
Agent, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be
enforceable by, the Collateral Agent in each of its capacities hereunder, and
each officer, director, employee, and agent, custodian and other Person employed
to act hereunder.
The
Collateral Agent may request that the Borrower deliver a certificate setting
forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such
time
to take specified actions pursuant to this Agreement.
Any
power
conferred on the Collateral Agent to enforce remedies is permissive and, unless
instructed by the Majority Lenders pursuant to the terms
hereof, shall not be deemed to be a duty, rather than a
right. The Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to exercise any
remedy if it has not been directed in writing to do so by the Majority Lenders
and provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.
The
Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or
powers vested in it by this Agreement at the request or direction of any of
the
Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, unless such Lenders shall have offered
to
the Collateral Agent security or indemnity satisfactory to the Collateral Agent
against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in
compliance with such request or direction.
In
no
event shall the Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or
delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused
by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without
limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil
or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of
God.
Nothing
herein shall require the Collateral Agent to expend or risk its own funds,
unless appropriate indemnities are provided hereunder. Each party
agrees that the Lenders may appoint other Agents with (so long as no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing) the prior written consent of the
Borrower, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
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ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
9.01. Notices; Electronic
Communications.
(a) Except
in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given
by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein or in
any
other Loan Document shall be in the English language (or accompanied by a
certified translation) and in writing and shall be delivered by hand or
overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by
telecopy, as follows:
(i)
if to the Borrower, to it at:
Xxxxxxxx
Energía, S.A.
x/x Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
000, Xxxx 0
(X0000XXX)
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Attn: Mauro
Dacomo
Facsimile:
+ 54 11 45 555 0162
(ii) if
to the Collateral Agent, to it
at:
The
Bank
of New York
Global
Trust Services
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx 0X
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Facsimile:
x0 (000) 000-0000
and
(iii)
if to the Seller, to it
at:
REPSOL
YPF, S.A.
Xxxxx
xx
xx Xxxxxxxxxx 000
00000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Attn:
Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: x00
00 000
0000
Corporate
Director of Legal
Services
Facsimile: x00
00 000
0000
Corporate
Director of Tax and
Finance
Facsimile: x00
00 000
0000
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With
a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP
Xxxxx
xx
Xxxxxx 0, 0xx
Xxxxx
00000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Facimile: +
34 90 288 2228
Attn: Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx
(iv) if
to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) as provided
to
each party hereto in accordance with this Section 9.01.
Any
party
hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All
notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the
date
of receipt. Notices delivered through electronic communications to
the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided
in said paragraph (b).
(b) Electronic
Communications. Notices and other communications to a Lender
hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including
e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by
such Lender. Each Lender or the Borrower may, in its discretion,
agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic
communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that
approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications.
Unless
a
Lender or the Borrower otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other
communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received unless the
sender receives an automatic error message from the server of the intended
recipient indicating that the applicable notice or communication has not been
received by such intended recipient or delivery thereof is delayed for any
reason whatsoever, provided that if such notice or other communication is not
sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business
on
the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications
posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the
deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described
in
the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication
is available and identifying the website address therefor.
SECTION
9.02. Waivers; Amendments.
(a) No
Deemed Waivers; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay by
either an Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy under
any
Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude
any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or
remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of any Agent and the Lenders
under the Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights,
powers or remedies that they
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would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or
consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be
effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this
Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as
a
waiver of any Default, regardless of whether either an Agent or any Lender
may
have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Amendments. Neither
this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified
except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the
Borrower and the Majority Lenders; provided that no such agreement
shall:
(i)
increase any Commitment of
any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,
(ii) reduce
the principal amount of the Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or
reduce any fees payable to any Lender hereunder, without the written consent
of
each Lender affected thereby,
(iii) postpone
the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of the Loan or any
interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive
or excuse any such payment, without the written consent of each Lender affected
thereby,
(iv) alter
the manner in which payments or prepayments of principal, interest or other
amounts hereunder shall be applied as among the Lenders or Loan, without the
written consent of each Lender,
(v) release
all or any material portion of the Collateral without the consent of each
Lender,
(vi) change
any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of the term “Majority
Lenders”, or “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the
number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights
hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without
the
written consent of each Lender, or
(vii) amend
Section 2.04(b) without the written consent of each Lender;
and
provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify
or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Collateral Agent or other Agent
hereunder or under any other Loan Document to which it is a party without the
prior written consent of the Collateral Agent or such Agent, as
applicable.
(c) Security
Documents. Without the prior consent of each Lender, the
Collateral Agent shall not (except as permitted herein or in the Security
Documents) release all or any material portion of the Collateral or otherwise
terminate all or any material portion of the Liens under any Security Document
providing for collateral security, agree to additional
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obligations
being secured by all or any portion of the Collateral, alter the relative
priorities of the obligations entitled to the benefits of the Liens created
pursuant to the Security Documents with respect to all or any material portion
of the Collateral, except that no such consent shall be required, and the
Collateral Agent is hereby authorized, to release any Lien covering property
that is the subject of either a disposition of property permitted hereunder
(including pursuant to Section 5.10(b)) or a disposition to which the
Majority Lenders have consented.
SECTION
9.03. Waiver of Consequential Damages.
To
the extent permitted by applicable
law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives, any claim
against any Lender (other than the Seller), the Collateral Agent, any other
Agent, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons, on any theory
of
liability, for special, indirect, consequential (including lucrum
cessans (lucro cesante)) or punitive damages (as opposed to direct
or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this
Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Acquisition,
the Transactions, the Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.
SECTION
9.04. Successors and Assigns.
(a) Assignments
Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by
the
Borrower without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any
Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related
Parties of each of, the Collateral Agent, any other Agent, and the Lenders)
any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this
Agreement.
(b) Assignments
by Lenders. Any Lender may assign to any Person all or a portion
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion
of its Commitment and the Loan at the time owing to it); provided
that
(i) The
assignee is not a Regulation U Bank and the assignee funds the purchase price
of
its assignment from, and from sources, outside the United States;
(ii) the
Borrower must be promptly notified of such assignment,
(iii) except
in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, the
Borrower must give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),
(iv) each
partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of
all
the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement,
(v) the
parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the each Lender
an
Assignment and Assumption, and
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(vi) the
assignee confirms the appointment and duties of the Collateral Agent and any
other Agent under Article VIII.
Upon
acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, from
and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the
assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations
of a
Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to
the
extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released
from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment
and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.09, 2.10 and 9.03 and
shall continue to be obligated pursuant to Section 9.14). Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this
Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section.
(c) [Reserved].
(d) Effectiveness
of Assignments. Each assignment shall become effective upon
execution and delivery of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption by an
assigning Lender and an assignee, receipt of any written consents to such
assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, and delivery of such
Assignment and Assumption the Borrower thereof in
writing.
(e) [Reserved].
(f) Participations. Any
Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, sell participations to any
Person (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all
or
a portion of its Commitment and the Loan owing to it); provided that
(i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
(iii) the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the other Lenders shall
continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such
Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and (iv) the Participant is not a Regulation U Bank and the
Participant funds the purchase price of its participation from, and from
sources, outside the United States. Any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such
Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other
Loan
Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such
agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver
described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of the first proviso to
Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.
(g) Certain
Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure
obligations of such Lender and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge
or assignment of a security interest;
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provided
that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender
from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such
Lender as a party hereto.
(h) No
Assignments to the Borrower or Affiliates. Anything in this
Section to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender may assign or participate
any
interest in its Loan to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates without the prior
consent of the Seller.
SECTION
9.05. Survival. All
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower
and
Holdings in the Loan Documents to which it is a party and in the certificates
or
other instruments delivered pursuant to or, on and after the date hereof, in
connection with, such Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied
upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery
of
this Agreement and the making of the Loan, regardless of any investigation
made
by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Collateral
Agent, any other Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any
Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is
extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as
the
principal of or any accrued interest on the Loan or any fee or any other amount
payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid. The
provisions of Sections 9.03 and 9.14 and Article VIII shall
survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loan or the
termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION
9.06. Counterparts; Integration;
Effectiveness. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto
on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all
of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with
respect to fees payable to the Collateral Agent constitute the entire contract
between and among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and
supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written,
relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in
Article IV, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been
executed by and delivered to each of the parties hereto, and thereafter shall
be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page to this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery
of a
manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION
9.07. Severability. Any
provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the
invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not
invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION
9.08. Right of Setoff. Upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender
is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general
or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at
any
time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for
the
credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations
of
the Borrower now or hereafter existing
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under
this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether
or
not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent
or
unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the
branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such
indebtedness. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower
after any such set-off and application, provided that the failure to give
such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and
application. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that
such Lender may have.
SECTION
9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the law of the State of New York.
(b) Submission
to Jurisdiction in U.S. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York
County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of
New
York in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof,
in
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or
any of the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any
judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may
be
heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by
law,
in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final
judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may
be
enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner
provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right
that the Collateral Agent, any other Agent or any Lender may otherwise have
to
bring any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the
Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Enforcement
and Submission to Jurisdiction in Spain. Without prejudice of
paragraph (b) above, the Collateral Agent and/or the Majority
Lenders may at their sole discretion and at any time decide to enforce this
Agreement or any other Loan Document in Spain. If this decision is
taken, it shall be understood that each party hereby has irrevocably and
unconditionally submitted for itself and its property to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of:
(i) the
courts of the City of Madrid (Spain), or
(ii) if
the Collateral Agent and/or the Majority of Lenders so decides, of the courts
of
the place in which the Borrower has from time to time its registered address
in
accordance with the Commercial Registry (Registro
Mercantil),
in
any
suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
any
other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgement, and
each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that
all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall require the
Collateral Agent to submit to the jurisdiction of a non-U.S. court.
Seller
Credit Agreement
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(d) Waiver
of Venue. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively
do
so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
of
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or
any of the other Loan Documents in any court referred to in the first sentence
of paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense
of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding
in any such court.
(e) Process
Agent. The Borrower irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System
(the “Process Agent”), with an office on the date hereof at 000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, as its agent and true and lawful
attorney-in-fact in its name, place and stead to accept on behalf of the
Borrower and its property and revenues service of copies of the summons and
complaint and any other process which may be served in any suit, action or
proceeding brought in the State of New York arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the Borrower agrees that
the
failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of any such service of process
to the Borrower shall not impair or affect the validity of such service or,
to
the extent permitted by applicable law, the enforcement of any judgment based
thereon.
(f) Alternative
Process. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any
party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law.
SECTION
9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH
PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT,
TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT
NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT
BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION.
SECTION
9.11. Waiver of Immunity. To
the extent that the Borrower may be or become entitled to claim for itself
or
its property or revenues any immunity on the ground of sovereignty or the like
from suit, court jurisdiction, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in
aid
of execution of a judgment or execution of a judgment, and to the extent that
in
any such jurisdiction there may be attributed such an immunity (whether or
not
claimed), the Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby
irrevocably waives such immunity with respect to its obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION
9.12. Judgment Currency. This
is an international loan transaction in which the specification of Dollars
and
payment in each Lender’s Account (or account of the Collateral Agent, as
notified to the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement), is of the
Seller
Credit Agreement
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essence,
and the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to each Lender or any Agent (in this Section 9.12 called an
“Entitled Person”) to make payment in Dollars shall not be discharged or
satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or
converted into any other currency or in another place except to the extent
that
on the Business Day following receipt of any sum adjudged to be so due in the
judgment currency such Entitled Person may in accordance with normal banking
procedures purchase, and transfer to each Lender’s Account (or account of the
Collateral Agent, as applicable), Dollars in the amount originally due to such
Entitled Person with the judgment currency. If for the purpose of
obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder
in Dollars into another currency (in this Section 9.12 called the “judgment
currency”), the rate of exchange that shall be applied shall be that at
which in accordance with normal banking procedures the receiving Person could
purchase such Dollars at each Lender’s Account (or account of the Collateral
Agent, as applicable), with the judgment currency on the Business Day
immediately preceding the day on which such judgment is rendered. The
Borrower hereby, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment,
agrees to indemnify such Entitled Person against, and to pay each Entitled
Person on demand, in Dollars, the amount (if any) by which the sum originally
due to such Entitled Person in Dollars hereunder exceeds the amount of the
Dollars purchased and transferred as aforesaid.
SECTION
9.13. Headings. Article
and Section headings and the Table of Contents appearing herein are included
solely for convenience of reference, are not part of this Agreement and shall
not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting,
this Agreement.
SECTION
9.14. Confidentiality. Each
of the Collateral Agent, any other Agent, and the Lenders agrees to maintain
the
confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information
may be disclosed (i) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers,
employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors
on
a need-to-know basis (it being understood that the Persons to whom such
disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such
Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to
the extent requested by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such
Person, (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or
by any subpoena or similar legal process; provided that the Collateral
Agent, such other Agent, or such Lender, unless prohibited by applicable law,
shall use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower in advance of any disclosure
pursuant to this clause (iii) on the understanding that none of the
Collateral Agent, such other Agent or any Lender shall incur any liability
for
failure to give such notice, (iv) to any other party to this Agreement,
(v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any
other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder,
(vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same
as those of this paragraph, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or
any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement, (B) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its
advisors) to any Hedging Agreement, credit default swap, total return swap
or
other derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations,
or
(C) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any
insurance agreement protecting against political risk relating to the Borrower
and its obligations, (vii) with the prior written consent of the Borrower
or (viii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly
available other than as a
Seller
Credit Agreement
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50
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result
of
a breach of this paragraph or (B) becomes available to the Collateral
Agent, any other Agent, or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source
other than the Borrower. For the purposes of this paragraph,
“Information” means all information received from the Borrower or its
accountants, in each case relating to the Borrower or its business, other than
(i) any such information that is available to the Collateral Agent, any other
Agent, or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the
Borrower, or (ii) with respect to the Seller or any Lender who is an Affiliate
thereof, any such information as relates to the Company or its
business. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of
Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied
with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of
care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would
accord to its own confidential information.
[SIGNATURE
PAGES FOLLOW]
Seller
Credit Agreement
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51
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IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
THE
BORROWER
|
||||
XXXXXXXX
ENERGÍA, S.A.
|
||||
By:
|
||||
Name:
|
||||
Title
|
Seller
Credit Agreement
THE
COLLATERAL AGENT
|
||||
THE
BANK OF NEW YORK
as
Collateral Agent
|
||||
By:
|
||||
Name:
|
||||
Title
|
Seller
Credit Agreement
THE
SELLER
|
||||
REPSOL YPF,
S.A.
|
||||
By:
|
||||
Name:
|
||||
Title
|
||||
By:
|
||||
Name:
|
||||
Title
|
Seller
Credit Agreement
SCHEDULE
I
COMMITMENTS
Name
of Lender
|
Commitment
|
|
REPSOL
YPF, S.A.
|
$1,015,000,000
|
|
TOTAL
|
$1,015,000,000
|
Seller
Credit Agreement
SCHEDULE
II
LENDER’S
ACCOUNTS
[NOT
FILED]